Try These Five Tips for Using Ceiling Fans Along with Your AC 

If the goal is to stay cool without jacking up your energy bills, you’ll likely depend on your ceiling fan all the time this summer. A well-known approach is to run a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then turn the fan off and try the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the optimal way to increase comfort and energy savings. 

It can appear redundant to try two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Use 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 throughout your home, consider installing some. You should be able to switch out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, efficient and stylish ceiling fan. 

Remember 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 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, larger fans can move more air than shorter ones. Try a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms as much as 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. 

Confirm the Fan’s Direction 

Ceiling fans can move in both directions. Confirm yours is ready to spin counterclockwise during summer. This pushes air back down to make the breeze seem more obvious. 

If you’re uncertain whether the fan is turning the right way, flip it on and sit right below it. If the breeze seems low for how fast the blades are turning, you might need to reverse the direction. 

Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, inspect the motor housing for a reversing switch. 

Ceiling fans can rotate either way because pushing the air upward is useful for lowering heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to spin clockwise and run it on low to disperse warm air close to the ceiling back down to the living space without generating a breeze. This approach is particularly beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings. 

Reset the Thermostat 

You should turn up the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room appear about 4 degrees cooler. This concept, which can make winter conditions miserable, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings during the summer. 

If you generally keep your house around 75 degrees, think about adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect made by running a ceiling fan. Then, switch up your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to improve comfort while lowering cooling costs

Turn Off the Fans in Empty Areas 

It’s a common assumption that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in the room. Sure, 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 unoccupied room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to use versus 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 adhere to the tips listed above, you could notice a decrease in your air conditioning costs throughout the summer. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you raise the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without losing out on comfort. 

Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Simply, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you want air conditioning services at any time, choose Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work 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 request an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.