If the plan is to stay cool without jacking up your energy bills, you’ll probably depend on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A well-known technique is to operate a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then flip the fan off and use the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner in unison is the optimal way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It might feel redundant to use two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Try these five tips to help you get more from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans in your home, look into installing a number of them. You should have the ability to swap out any light fixture in the center of the room for a quiet, efficient and stylish ceiling fan.
Remember that ceiling fans run best when the blades will be 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 should be at least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you might imagine, longer fans can push more air than shorter ones. Go for a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms as much as 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can move in both directions. Confirm yours is ready to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This pushes air downward to make the breeze feel more apparent.
If you’re unsure whether your fan is spinning the right way, flip it on and stay straight beneath it. If the breeze feels weak for how quickly the blades are turning, you probably need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, especially if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, feel around the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can turn either way because pushing the air upward is useful for lowering heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to spin clockwise and keep it on low to distribute warm air around the ceiling back down to the living space without creating a breeze. This method is particularly effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You must adjust the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t concern yourself with feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect produced by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room seem about 4 degrees cooler. This strategy, which can make winter weather particularly bad, is the answer to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, consider setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect created by using a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to maximize comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a popular misconception that ceiling fans lower the temperature in a room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an unused room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to operate versus air conditioners, but every little bit counts, so shut off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you adhere to the tips outlined above, you will recognize a decrease in your air conditioning bills all summer long. After all, you can save up to 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by using the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts
Simply, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort in summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, look to Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts to fix your problem fast. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as proficiently as possible, ensuring it works in tandem with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Call us today to arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts.