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

If your goal is to stay cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll likely depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A well-known technique is to run a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then switch the fan off and try the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the most beneficial way to increase comfort and energy savings. 

It might appear excessive to pursue two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Consider these five tips to help you get more from your air conditioning system this summer. 

Install a Ceiling Fan 

First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing some. You should be able to swap out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a silent, reliable and fashionable ceiling fan. 

Bear in mind that ceiling fans function 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 have to be at least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit the same amount. 

As you may imagine, longer fans can push more air than smaller sized ones. Choose 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 set up multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet. 

Check the Fan’s Direction 

Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Ensure yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This pushes air back down to make the breeze feel more prominent. 

If you’re uncertain whether the fan is spinning the right way, flip it on and stay right under it. If the breeze seems low for how fast the blades are turning, you might need to change the direction. 

Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re installed on a vaulted ceiling. Check for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t use a remote, run your hand along the motor housing for a reversing switch. 

Ceiling fans can spin both ways because pushing the air upward is useful for decreasing heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to rotate clockwise and keep it on low to circulate warm air toward the ceiling back toward the living space without generating a breeze. This strategy is very beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings. 

Adjust the Thermostat 

You have to change the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room seem about 4 degrees cooler. This strategy, which can make winter conditions particularly bad, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings in the summer. 

If you ordinarily keep your house about 75 degrees, try adjusting 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 boost your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to enhance comfort while lowering cooling costs. 

Turn Off the Fans in Empty Areas 

It’s a widespread belief that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in a room. Sure, 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 on in an unused room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to operate versus AC systems, but every little bit matters, so switch 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 will recognize a decrease in your air conditioning expenses all summer long. After all, you can save nearly 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without sacrificing comfort. 

Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

Clearly, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort in summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works together with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Call us today to schedule an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.