If the plan is to keep cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll probably depend on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A good strategy is to operate a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then switch the fan off and try the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner in unison is the best way to increase comfort and energy savings.
It might appear excessive to pursue two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more productive. Try these five tips to help you get the maximum benefit from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans in your home, consider installing a few. You should have the ability to swap out any light fixture in the middle of the room for a silent, reliable and stylish ceiling fan.
Bear in mind that ceiling fans work best when the blades sit 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 a minimum of eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings will not benefit as much.
As you may imagine, longer fans can move more air than smaller sized ones. Go for 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 a row to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Ensure yours is set to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This drives air back down to make the breeze seem more obvious.
If you’re unsure whether your fan is turning the right way, turn it on and stand right beneath it. If the breeze seems inadequate for how rapidly the blades are rotating, you potentially need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, particularly if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can spin both ways because moving the air upward is useful for decreasing heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to spin clockwise and use it on low to circulate warm air close to the ceiling back down to the living space without creating a breeze. This method is very helpful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You should adjust the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room seem about 4 degrees cooler. This concept, which can make winter conditions unpleasant, is the key to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you usually keep your house about 75 degrees, consider adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect created by using a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to increase your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to enhance comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a common belief that ceiling fans lower the temperature in the room. Yes, 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 moving in an unused room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to operate compared to AC systems, but every little bit helps, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you stick to the tips featured above, you could recognize a reduction in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you increase the thermostat. And by appreciating the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without sacrificing comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from TML Service Experts
Plainly, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you want air conditioning services at any point, look to TML Service Experts to address your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner run 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 schedule an appointment with the HVAC pros at TML Service Experts.