If the plan is to keep cool without increasing your energy bills, you’ll likely count on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A prevalent approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets excessively hot, then turn the fan off and run the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner at the same time is a great way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It can seem unnecessary to use two cooling methods at once, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Consider these five tips to help you get the most from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, think about installing some. You should be able to change out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, reliable and fashionable 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 may not benefit the same amount.
As you can imagine, longer fans can push more air than smaller ones. Try a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in a row to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can work in both directions. Make sure yours is set to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This drives air back down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re uncertain whether a fan is turning the right way, flip it on and stand straight underneath it. If the breeze appears weak for how quickly the blades are rotating, you might need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, especially if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Check for a button on the remote to reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t use a remote, inspect the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate both ways because forcing the air upward is useful for lowering heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to turn clockwise and keep it on low to disperse warm air around the ceiling back to the living room without producing a breeze. This strategy is particularly beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You must turn up 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 created by using a ceiling fan makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter conditions particularly bad, is the trick 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 compensate for the wind chill effect produced by running a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to optimize comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a popular misconception that ceiling fans lower the temperature in the room. Of course, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an unoccupied room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to operate as opposed to air conditioners, 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 featured above, you could notice a decrease in your air conditioning costs all summer long. After all, you can save nearly 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by using the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without losing out on comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Jack Nelson Service Experts
Simply, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services at any point, check out Jack Nelson Service Experts to solve your problem fast. 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 arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at Jack Nelson Service Experts.