Summer is almost here and you’re probably thinking of ways to keep your overall energy costs down this summer, while staying comfortable. Especially after most parts of the country has seen energy prices outpace inflation the past couple of years. A great way to cut those costs is by running your ceiling fans simultaneously with your home’s air conditioning system.
By raising your thermostat just 4 degrees and running your ceiling fans at the same time, you can use less energy than running your A/C alone. You may be able to even avoid running your air conditioning system all together at lower temperatures. But that doesn’t mean running your ceiling fan only until it gets too hot is the best choice. You’ll have to figure out that level of comfort your looking for out on your own.
Like we already mentioned – running your ceiling fans and A/C system can save you some serious money. But in order to do so effectively, you’ll have to follow these tips:
Install an ENERGY STAR® Rated Ceiling Fan
ENERGY STAR® rated ceiling fans ensure that your running at the optimal energy efficiency. These fans are 60% more efficient than traditional ceiling fans, have improved motors and blades, and you can qualify for rebates for opting for one.
Choose the Correct Sized Fan
That’s right – make sure your fan isn’t too big or too small for the size of the room it’s in. The size of your fan is determined by the square footage of the room. Typically fan installations should be as follow;
- In rooms up to 144 square feet, install a fan with a 42-inch blades
- In rooms from 144 to 225 square feet, install a fan with a 44-inch blades
- In rooms from 225 to 400 square feet, install a fan with a 52-inch blades
Per Energy.gov – Ceiling fans are only appropriate in rooms with ceilings at least eight feet high. Fans work best when the blades are 7 to 9 feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. Fans should be installed so their blades are no closer than 8 inches from the ceiling and 18 inches from the walls.
Larger ceiling fans can move more air than smaller fans. A 36- or 44-inch diameter fan will cool rooms up to 225 square feet, while fans that are 52 inches or more should be used in larger rooms. Multiple fans work best in rooms longer than 18 feet. Small- and medium-sized fans will provide efficient cooling in a 4- to 6-foot diameter area, while larger fans are effective up to 10 feet.
Make Sure the Blades Are Spinning the Right Direction
You want to ensure that your fan is running counter-clockwise, or blowing down for optimal cooling. You should be able to feel the breeze of the fan. If you can’t feel a breeze, you need to turn the fan off, then flip the switch on the fan to change the direction of the blades.
Turn Your Thermostats Up
The wind-chill affect a ceiling fan creates, makes a room feel 4 degrees cooler than it is. So ideally, raise your thermostat 3 to 5 degrees. So, if you keep your thermostat normally at 72 degrees fahrenheit, you would raise it to 75 or 76 degrees. Raising your thermostat should allow you not to feel any reduced comfort.
Turn Off Your Ceiling Fans in Unoccupied Rooms
Ceiling do not lower the temperature in your home. They only make the air in the room feel cooler. So, leaving fans on in rooms that have no one in them is just a waste of money.
Stay Cool This Summer with Excel Heating & Cooling
With Excel Heating & Cooling, we offer simple and fast scheduling. You can easily book an appointment online and we’ll dispatch a technician to your home! Just let us know what time works best for you, and we’ll call you when we’re on our way!
We also make it convenient for you, if you don’t prefer to book it through our online scheduling platform, just text us or call (540) 540-0030 Today!