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

If your plan is to stay cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll probably depend on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A common approach is to run a fan without AC until it gets excessively hot, then switch the fan off and try the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the most beneficial way to optimize comfort and energy savings. 

It can appear unnecessary to try two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Use these five tips to help you get the most from your air conditioning system this summer. 

Install a Ceiling Fan 

First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans throughout your home, look into installing a number of them. You should have the ability to switch out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, effective and stylish ceiling fan. 

Don’t forget 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 should be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the same amount. 

As you might imagine, bigger fans can move more air than smaller sized ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet. 

Confirm the Fan’s Direction 

Ceiling fans can work in both directions. Verify yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during summer. This forces air down to make the breeze seem more obvious. 

If you’re unsure whether your fan is rotating the right way, turn it on and sit straight below it. If the breeze appears inadequate for how fast the blades are spinning, you probably need to switch the direction. 

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

Ceiling fans can rotate in both directions because moving the air upward is useful for reducing heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to turn clockwise and run it on low to distribute warm air toward the ceiling back toward the living room without producing a breeze. This strategy is particularly effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings. 

Turn Up the Thermostat 

You must adjust the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by running a ceiling fan makes the room feel around 4 degrees cooler. This strategy, which can make winter cold unpleasant, is the answer to home comfort and energy savings during the summer. 

If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, consider setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up for the wind chill effect created by using a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to maximize comfort while minimizing cooling costs. 

Switch Off the Fans in Unusued Areas 

It’s a widespread assumption that ceiling fans lower 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 not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an empty room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to operate compared to AC systems, but every little bit counts, so shut off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room. 

Watch Your Energy Savings Grow 

If you use the tips featured above, you should observe a reduction in your air conditioning costs for the rest of the summer. After all, you can save nearly 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by appreciating the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without losing out on comfort. 

Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

Simply, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services at any time, check out Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to solve your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner run as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works in tandem 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 Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.