If the idea is to keep cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll certainly depend on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A well-known strategy is to use a fan without AC until it gets too hot, then switch the fan off and run the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner in unison is the most beneficial way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It might seem unnecessary to use two cooling methods at once, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Use these five tips to help you get the maximum benefit from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans throughout your home, look into installing a number of them. You should be able to change out any light fixture in the center of the room for a silent, effective and fashionable ceiling fan.
Remember that ceiling fans function best when the blades rest 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 have to be a minimum of eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit as much.
As you may imagine, longer fans can propel more air than shorter ones. Try a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for deeper rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can operate in both directions. Make sure yours is ready to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This drives air down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re not sure whether the fan is spinning the right way, switch it on and sit right under it. If the breeze feels low for how rapidly the blades are rotating, you potentially need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, in particular if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, run your hand along the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate in both directions because moving the air upward is useful for reducing heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to turn clockwise and keep it on low to distribute warm air around the ceiling back to the living space without creating a breeze. This method is especially effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You must adjust the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room appear up to 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter conditions miserable, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings during the summer.
If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, think about setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect created by using a ceiling fan. Then, modify your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to optimize comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Shut Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a popular assumption that ceiling fans lower the temperature in a room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is push air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an unoccupied room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to use versus air conditioners, but every little bit helps, so shut off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you stick to the tips featured above, you should observe a reduction in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save up to 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you increase the thermostat. And by appreciating the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air
Clearly, you shouldn’t undervalue the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, choose Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air to fix your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner perform as effectively as possible, ensuring it works together 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 Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air.