June 07, 2012
Summers in the Sarasota, Florida area are especially warm and balmy, which can mean skyrocketing cooling bills.
But what if we told you there is an easy way to cut 10-20% off your air conditioning costs in minutes by using only your ceiling fans? Would you be interested? Of course you would, that’s why you are here. So let’s get on with it.
Depending on the manufacturer and installation of your ceiling fan, this could be either clockwise or counter clockwise. The real objective is to make sure the fan is blowing air downward.
If you are unsure of which way is correct, you can perform a simple test yourself. Turn on your ceiling fan and stand underneath it. You should feel a slight, comfortable breeze. This is the correct setting for the summer.
If you do not feel a breeze, use the switch on the fan to change the direction the fan is spinning. Repeat the test and confirm that air is now blowing down.
That’s it. For every degree you raise the set temperature on your thermostat, you can save about 10% on your cooling costs, according to this article. The fan will help you remain cool and comfortable, and the decreased thermostat setting will save you money.
Yes, a ceiling fan uses energy. However, according to the same article, an average 3-ton central air conditioner costs about $0.36 to run for an hour while a ceiling fan can run for three hours on a medium setting before even adding up to one penny in utility costs.
Since the increased airflow can allow people to be equally comfortable at temperatures 2-4 degrees higher, the savings can really add up.
Not exactly. A ceiling fan moves air, which makes you feel cooler; it does not actually change the temperature of the room.
Your body is cooled by the evaporation of moisture (sweat) from your skin. At higher temperatures (and higher humidity levels) evaporation cannot happen and you feel “sticky” and warm. A fan moves the air around you, assisting in the evaporation of moisture from your skin and making you feel much cooler.
Since it is not changing the temperature, make sure you turn the ceiling fan off when you leave the room. There is no point in having a ceiling fan running in an empty room. It just wastes energy.
Of course, you will not be able to eliminate your air conditioner completely, especially not during the balmy summers in the Sarasota area. But by using your ceiling fans you can reduce your energy costs as well as your carbon footprint.
Cool Today and Energy Today are committed to helping Sarasota area homeowners stay cool and comfortable while reducing costs. For more information on any of our services, contact us online today.
Posted in: Tips