If your intent is to stay cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll likely depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A well-known strategy is to run a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then shut the fan off and try the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the optimal way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It can seem unnecessary to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Try these five tips to help you get the most from your air conditioning system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing some. You should be able to switch out any light fixture in the center of the room for a silent, efficient and stylish ceiling fan.
Don't forget that ceiling fans function best when the blades sit seven to nine feet above the floor, 10 to 12 inches from the ceiling, and at least 18 inches from the walls. This means your ceilings must be a minimum of eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings will not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you may imagine, bigger fans can propel more air than smaller sized ones. Try a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also set up multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Ensure yours is set to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This forces air downward to make the breeze feel more obvious.
If you’re not sure whether your fan is rotating the right way, flip it on and sit straight below it. If the breeze seems low for how quickly the blades are spinning, you might need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, especially if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, feel around the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can turn either way because forcing the air upward is useful for cutting down heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to spin clockwise and use it on low to distribute warm air near the ceiling back down to the living room without producing a breeze. This technique is especially helpful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You should change the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by running a ceiling fan makes the room feel up to 4 degrees cooler. This concept, which can make winter cold miserable, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you normally keep your house at 75 degrees, consider readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect produced by running a ceiling fan. Then, switch up your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to improve comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a common misconception that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in a room. Of course, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan moving in an empty room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to run in contrast to air conditioners, but every little bit counts, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you follow the tips laid out above, you should recognize a decrease in your air conditioning expenses all summer long. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by using the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without giving up comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Peitz Service Experts
Plainly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, turn to Peitz Service Experts to address your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner perform as effectively as possible, ensuring it works along with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Contact us today to arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at Peitz Service Experts.