If the intent is to stay cool without jacking up your energy bills, you’ll likely rely on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A well-known technique is to use a fan without AC until it gets really hot, then shut the fan off and run the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the optimal way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It may seem unnecessary to pursue two cooling methods at once, but fans make your air conditioner more powerful. Follow these five tips to help you get the most from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing some. You should be able to switch out any light fixture in the middle of the room for a quiet, effective and eye-catching ceiling fan.
Bear in mind that ceiling fans run 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 must be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you can imagine, bigger fans can move more air than smaller sized ones. Opt for a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms as much as 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for deeper rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in a row to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can spin in both directions. Verify yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during summer. This drives air back down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re uncertain whether the fan is turning the right way, switch it on and stay straight underneath it. If the breeze seems inadequate for how rapidly the blades are rotating, you might need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, feel around the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate in both directions because forcing the air upward is useful for decreasing heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to spin clockwise and run it on low to distribute warm air near the ceiling back down to the living room without creating a breeze. This strategy is especially helpful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You have to 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 made by running a ceiling fan makes the room seem about 4 degrees cooler. This strategy, which can make winter cold particularly bad, is the trick to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you normally keep your house about 75 degrees, try setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up for the wind chill effect produced by using a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to maximize comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Shut Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a widespread assumption that ceiling fans drop the temperature in the room. Of course, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan moving in an empty room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to run 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 use the tips outlined above, you will recognize a reduction in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save up to 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you increase the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without losing out on comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Winnipeg Supply Service Experts
Truly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you need air conditioning services at any point, check out Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to solve your problem fast. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as effectively as possible, ensuring it works in tandem 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 Winnipeg Supply Service Experts.