If your plan is to stay cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll likely depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A prevalent technique is to operate a fan without AC until it gets excessively hot, then flip the fan off and run the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner together is the most beneficial way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It can seem unnecessary to pursue two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Follow 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 in your home, look into installing some. You should have the ability to switch out any light fixture in the center of the room for a silent, reliable and stylish ceiling fan.
Don't forget that ceiling fans run 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 at least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings will not benefit as much.
As you can imagine, bigger fans can propel more air than shorter ones. Get a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Confirm the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can operate in both directions. Make sure yours is ready to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This pushes air back down to make the breeze appear more apparent.
If you’re not sure whether the fan is turning the right way, flip it on and sit straight beneath it. If the breeze seems inadequate for how fast the blades are rotating, you likely need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, particularly if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, inspect the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can spin both ways because pushing the air upward is useful for lowering heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to turn clockwise and use it on low to distribute warm air near the ceiling back toward the living room without producing a breeze. This technique is very beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You have to adjust the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by running a ceiling fan makes the room appear up to 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 ordinarily keep your house at 75 degrees, consider setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect produced by running a ceiling fan. Then, switch up your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to maximize comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a common belief that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in the room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an unoccupied room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to use compared to AC systems, but every little bit counts, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you stick to the tips listed above, you should recognize a reduction in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save nearly 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. And by using the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without sacrificing comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Epperson Service Experts
Clearly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you want air conditioning services at any point, check out Epperson Service Experts to fix your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as proficiently as possible, ensuring it works together with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Call us today to request an appointment with the HVAC pros at Epperson Service Experts.