Try These Five Tips for Using Ceiling Fans Along with Your AC
If your plan is to keep cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll certainly depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A good strategy is to operate a fan without AC until it gets really hot, then switch the fan off and use the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner together is the most beneficial way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It might feel redundant to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more productive. Follow these five tips to help you get the maximum benefit from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans in your home, think about installing some. You should have the opportunity to swap out any light fixture in the middle of the room for a smooth, reliable and stylish ceiling fan.
Don’t forget 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 have to be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you might imagine, larger fans can move more air than smaller ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for deeper rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Make sure yours is ready to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This forces air down to make the breeze feel more prominent.
If you’re not sure whether the fan is turning the right way, turn it on and sit directly underneath it. If the breeze feels inadequate for how rapidly the blades are turning, you potentially need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, in particular if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can turn in both directions because moving the air upward is useful for reducing heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to turn clockwise and keep it on low to disperse warm air near the ceiling back to the living space without producing a breeze. This technique is very useful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You should turn up the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by using a ceiling fan makes the room feel around 4 degrees cooler. This strategy, which can make winter conditions miserable, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you generally keep your house about 75 degrees, try readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect made by running a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to maximize comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a popular misconception that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in a room. Sure, 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 might cost pennies on the dollar to use in contrast to air conditioners, but every little bit helps, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you use the tips shown above, you will recognize a drop in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. And by enjoying the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
Truly, you shouldn’t undervalue the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services at any time, look to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner run as efficiently 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 Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.