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

If the goal is to keep cool without jacking up your energy bills, you’ll certainly rely on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A well-known approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then flip the fan off and run the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is a great way to improve comfort and energy savings. 

It might seem unnecessary to try two cooling methods together, but fans make your air conditioner more productive. Use these five tips to help you get the most from your AC system this summer. 

Install a Ceiling Fan 

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

Remember that ceiling fans function 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 have to be at least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit as much. 

As you may imagine, larger fans can propel more air than smaller ones. Go for a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in a row to cool rooms longer than 18 feet. 

Confirm the Fan’s Direction 

Ceiling fans can move in both directions. Confirm yours is set to spin counterclockwise during summer. This drives air downward to make the breeze feel more prominent. 

If you’re unsure whether the fan is rotating the right way, switch it on and stay right underneath it. If the breeze appears inadequate for how rapidly the blades are spinning, you potentially need to switch the direction. 

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

Ceiling fans can turn either way because forcing the air upward is useful for cutting down heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to spin clockwise and keep it on low to distribute warm air toward the ceiling back down to the living room without generating a breeze. This approach is very beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings. 

Adjust the Thermostat 

You should change the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by running a ceiling fan makes the room feel up to 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter weather unpleasant, is the trick to home comfort and energy savings in the summer. 

If you normally keep your house about 75 degrees, think about adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect made by using a ceiling fan. Then, switch up your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to improve comfort while lowering cooling costs. 

Shut Off the Fans in Unusued Areas 

It’s a popular assumption that ceiling fans lower the temperature in the room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is push air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan working in an unused room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to run compared to air conditioners, but every little bit helps, so shut off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room. 

See Your Energy Savings Grow 

If you follow the tips detailed above, you will recognize a drop in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you raise the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without sacrificing comfort. 

Keep Cool with Help from Parker Pearce Service Experts 

Clearly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort in summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, choose Parker Pearce Service Experts to solve your problem fast. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as effectively as possible, ensuring it works along 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 Parker Pearce Service Experts.