Conserve Energy by Using a Ceiling Fan This Summer
You’ve likely already had to use your air conditioner a few times this season to keep cool. However, did you know that the standard unit makes use of around 3,500 watts of energy when running, while a ceiling fan may make use of only 60 watts?
If you are like most homeowners, you dread summer because of the high electricity bills each month. But with a few ceiling fan tips, you may be able to cut back on your spending when it comes to your electrical usage.
- Check the direction your fan’s blades are spinning. Not all ceiling fans are the same, and some have blades which are set at different angles. To determine whether or not your fan is spinning in the right direction, switch it on and stand beneath the fan. If you notice a breeze immediately, then the blades are spinning in the right direction for summer. If not, you need to have them spin the other direction. It may also be a personal preference as to whether you prefer the air to blow directly down from the center of the room, or indirectly, coming down from the walls. You are mixing the air in the room to blend it to one temperature, and create the evaporative cooling effect, not actually cooling the air.
- Don’t forget to turn the fans off when you leave your home for the day. Only run the fan when you are going to be in the room, otherwise you are wasting electricity.
- Buy the right-sized fan. If you don’t already have a ceiling fan installed, but you would like to have one for the summer, make sure you are buying a fan that is properly-sized for the room you are trying to cool. If you are trying to cool a large room, such as a living room or bedroom, you are going to need a larger fan than for a smaller room, like a home office or dining area.
- Check the angle of the fan’s blades. Fans with blade angles less than twelve degrees are typically designed to be decorative and not to adequately cool a room. If the blades are nearly flat, they won’t be able to circulate cool air effectively.
- Running the AC and fan at the same time. When you run the A/C and the fan at the same time, raise your thermostat a degree or two to see if you can be as comfortable at a lower cost.