As homeowners, it’s a no-brainer that we try to save money where we can. Pinching pennies where you may seem like a daunting task. Perhaps you’ve found a few ways to help your household save money and cut back on certain areas. If so, great! One thing that we get asked a lot is if using ceiling fans helps save money on energy bills. This is a fantastic question! Accompany Five Star Heating & Cooling Cincinnati as we talk about the ins and outs of ceiling fan use.
Do Ceiling Fans Really Save You Money On Energy Bills?
It’s commonly misbelieved that using ceiling fans cool in the home will automatically reduce energy consumption and therefore result in massive energy savings. Although this sounds like a lovely idea, unfortunately, it isn’t true. Ceiling fans do not contain cooling mechanisms. Instead, their purpose is to promote good air circulation. This means that a ceiling fan functions by taking the existing air in the room and circulating it about through the use of its rotating fan blades. This entire process does not reduce the temperature of the air but rather creates a cool wind-chilling effect that feels both cool and relaxing on the skin. It’s important to understand that even though this may feel cool to the touch, the room temperature will not be lowered.
Don’t let this discourage you from utilizing ceiling fans in your home, though! There are still some advantages to using ceiling fans. When ceiling fans are appropriately utilized together with your residential air conditioner, it can result in additional energy savings.
What Are Some Methods To Save Money On Your Energy Bill?
It’s a good idea to get in the habit of turning your ceiling fans off and on when you exit and enter the room. Just like leaving your lights on when nobody is in the room wastes energy, the same goes for leaving ceiling fans on. When no one is in the room to feel the fan’s effect, you are wasting energy by letting it continue to run. So, to produce energy savings on your bill, you will need to use them strategically in conjunction with your HVAC system.
A great tip we think is helpful is that you should raise the temperature on your thermostat by five degrees when utilizing a ceiling fan. It’s okay to raise the temperature higher than 5 degrees, but of course, do what’s comfortable for you. Naturally, the higher your temperature, the less your air conditioner has to run, which is what saves you money on your energy bill. By setting your thermostat higher but employing your home’s ceiling fans, you will be able to stay comfortable while lowering your home’s energy consumption. It’s a win-win both ways!
How Can You Use Your Ceiling Fans In the Summer to Maximize Efficiency?
Did you know a setting on your fan controls the direction of the rotation in which the fan blades turn? If you didn’t – no big deal! Not many know this is an option. However, the option to do this is usually located on the ceiling fan remote; if not, it is usually located at the base of the ceiling fan unit. This setting is helpful to utilize in different seasons. For example, in the summer, your ceiling fan should be set to turn counterclockwise. This will enable the warm air to flow upwards toward the ceiling, and the cooler air from your AC system will be directed downwards.
How Can You Use Your Ceiling Fans In the Winter to Maximize Efficiency?
Guess what? You can use your ceiling fans in the wintertime as well! Ceiling fans should be set in clockwise rotation during these months. Doing this will direct the warm air downward, which will help to keep the room nice and warm!
When you understand how ceiling fans work, you can better strategize to reduce energy consumption within your home and produce a little more savings on your next energy bill. If you are looking for more effective methods to lower your energy bill, call Five Star Heating & Cooling Cincinnati at (513) 216-5011, or schedule an appointment online by clicking here!
