Ceiling fans – do they help save money on energy bills? Good question! There are some common misconceptions about ceiling fans, but there are also some great benefits to be obtained from them. So, join Clayton-Englewood Heating & Cooling as we discuss the advantages and specifications of utilizing ceiling fans in your home.  

What Does a Ceiling Fan Do Exactly?  

Ceiling fans function by running on electricity. Their purpose is to promote better air circulation within the room they are installed in. Despite common belief, ceiling fans do not provide cooler air. Instead, a ceiling fan’s purpose is to take the existing air and distribute it throughout the vicinity. With the fan blades spinning in a circular motion, this process creates a wind-chill type of effect that feels cool when it encounters the skin. 

Can a Ceiling Fan Save Money on Your Energy Bill?  

While it’s true that using ceiling fans in your home can produce energy savings on your next bill, please be mindful that the savings you accumulate from using a fan may not be largely noticeable. However, don’t let that stop you from using them. You can produce additional energy savings by utilizing ceiling fans in your house, but you must understand and utilize them properly for this to be attainable.  

The air conditioning system plays a significant role in energy consumption. It’s inevitable. Around 90% of homes across the United States own cooling systems. The US Energy Information Administration says air conditioning systems take up about 12% of a home’s energy consumption. That percentage and incorrect utilization of ceiling fans will do quite the opposite of your original intention. As a result, your electric bill will most likely increase at an undesirable rate.  

How Do You Get the Most Out of You Ceiling Fans?  

So, how do we solve this problem? During the summertime, the ceiling fans in your house should be set counterclockwise to direct the hot hair upward and promote better overall air circulation. In the wintertime, you should set your ceiling fan to spin clockwise in the opposite direction. This directs any warm air back downwards to be more beneficial. Many homeowners don’t realize this is an option, but it can make all the difference when trying to get the most out of your ceiling fans.  

In addition to understanding and enforcing the proper rotation pattern during the appropriate season, it’s also important to know what to set your AC at when turning on your ceiling fans. Remember that ceiling fans don’t provide cooler air; they promote circulation and have a nice cooling effect. Because of this, it’s advisable to only leave your ceiling fan on when someone is physically in the room. Otherwise, no one will be present to reap the benefits of the fan’s effect, thus wasting electricity and raising your energy bill. However, when someone is in the room and you turn on the ceiling fan, you should raise your thermostat temperature to about five degrees or higher to conserve energy. Though this will increase the heat in your home, you shouldn’t be negatively affected as you will be cooled from the effects of the fan.  

What Are Some Extra Tips to Know About Ceiling Fans?  

First, in colder weather, you should not leave your ceiling fans powered on their high settings. They should be on a low setting to push up cold air and force warm air down. Secondly, make sure you habitually clean your ceiling fans’ blades. Accumulated dust bunnies are super pesky when strewn about the room in waves of flurry fury.   

Intrigued about finding more ways to conserve energy? Call your Clayton-Englewood Heating & Cooling experts today. We’ll be happy to go over any questions you may have. Call us at (937) 412-2911, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! We’d love to hear from you!