If the idea is to keep cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll certainly depend on your ceiling fan all the time this summer. A prevalent technique is to operate a fan without AC until it gets really hot, then flip the fan off and use the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the most beneficial way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It may appear excessive to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more powerful. Consider these five tips to help you get the most from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, think about installing a few. You should have the ability to swap out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, reliable and fashionable ceiling fan.
Don't forget 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 should be at least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the same amount.
As you might imagine, larger fans can move more air than smaller sized ones. Get a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Confirm the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Verify yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during summer. This pushes air down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re not sure whether a fan is rotating the right way, turn it on and stand exactly beneath it. If the breeze feels weak for how rapidly the blades are turning, you probably need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, in particular if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Check 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 in both directions because pushing the air upward is useful for cutting down heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to spin clockwise and run it on low to distribute warm air near the ceiling back toward the living room without creating a breeze. This technique is particularly helpful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Adjust the Thermostat
You have to change the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect produced by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room appear about 4 degrees cooler. This concept, which can make winter weather miserable, is the answer to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, consider readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up 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 enables you to maximize comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Shut Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a widespread assumption that ceiling fans drop the temperature in a room. Of course, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is push air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan running in an empty room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to run compared to air conditioners, but every little bit matters, so switch off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you use the tips laid out above, you could notice a reduction in your air conditioning costs for the rest of the summer. After all, you can save nearly 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without giving up comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Neal Harris Service Experts
Simply, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you need air conditioning services at any time, turn to Neal Harris Service Experts to address your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works in tandem 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 Neal Harris Service Experts.