Ceiling fans have been in use since the 1880s. While they don’t actually cool the air, they do make people feel cooler thanks to the wind chill. Here’s how you can use your home’s ceiling fans to help your air conditioner cool your house and save some money.
Have Your Ceiling Fan Spin the Right Way
Ceiling fans have a switch to change from clockwise to counterclockwise motion. In the summer, you should have it spin counterclockwise. You should feel a breeze when it’s spinning this way, which will cool you down.
Turn Up Your Thermostat
A ceiling fan saves you money because it allows you to turn up your thermostat by about 4 degrees. A fan doesn’t cost much to run, but an air conditioner certainly does. Since running the fan doesn’t do anything when a room is unoccupied, you should turn it off when nobody is there to feel it. A fan doesn’t lower the temperature in your house; rather, it just makes it feel cooler when the breeze blows on you. While the fan itself won’t save you money, you’ll still save dollars by operating your AC at a higher temperature.
How Much Can a Ceiling Fan Save You?
At the typical rates utilities charge, a ceiling fan costs about $0.01 an hour to operate. On the other hand, an air conditioner costs $0.43 an hour. If you increase the thermostat setting by 4 degrees, you’ll save about $0.16 an hour cooling your home between the cost of using the fan and setting the thermostat higher. If you cool your house six hours a day, that’s a savings of $30 or more a month.
Contact Our Experts Today
Jesse Heating & Air Conditioning is a company based in Champaign, IL, that helps people with their cooling needs. We also provide heating services, such as repairs, maintenance, and replacements. Jesse Heating & Air Conditioning can also help you with your fireplace. Call us today to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions.
