While summer in Sarasota is enjoyable, increased energy bills certainly are not. The cost of running an HVAC unit comprises about one-quarter of your electricity use every month–that is quite a significant chunk! Many people are more than willing to do what they can to decrease their electric bill during these peak summer months. One option is to make use of the ceiling fans in your house; but do they really help?
First, keep in mind how ceiling fans work. They are not capable of actually decreasing the temperature in a room. Rather, they move the air enough so that it feels cooler to us while dehumidifying the air, which also helps make the room more pleasant to be in. When spinning in a counterclockwise motion, fans push air downward and get the air circulating to provide a cool breeze. While they can help make a room more comfortable, they are not physically changing the temperature. For this reason, it does not make sense to leave a ceiling fan turned on in a room when no one is there.
Even though they are not changing the temperature like an HVAC unit, running your ceiling fans allows you to raise your thermostat’s cool setting by 3 or 4 degrees with little loss of comfort. This can help lower your energy bill significantly, since fans cost only about $0.01 per hour to run, compared to about $0.36 per hour for your AC unit. You will see a noticeable difference in your bill with minimal change in how your home feels.
The light you use in your fan can have a significant impact on the fan’s contribution to your electric bill. After all, the light on the fan makes up about 75% of the electricity used by the fan. If your fan operates without needing to turn on the light, that is your best option to maximize your savings. If the light and fan are inseparable, consider switching to an energy-efficient LED bulb. This will minimize the amount of energy used by your ceiling fan despite the light.
Your ceiling fans can even save you money on heating in the winter months. Most fans can have their spin direction changed by flipping the switch on their motor. During the winter when you are heating your home, switch your fans so that they spin clockwise. This motion helps draw cooler air upwards and gently push the hot air that has risen to the ceiling back towards the floor, making it feel warmer below. You will be able to comfortably lower your thermostat’s heat setting by a couple of degrees by using your ceiling fans.
On average, running ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioner can decrease your HVAC cooling costs by about 6 – 8%. Though it is not a huge difference, that is still money saved that otherwise would have been lost. To make sure you are not wasting money, be sure to turn ceiling fans off once you leave the room, and do not have them automatically turn on with the lights; only use them when you need them!
Installing ceiling fans is a great way to keep the air moving and provide a more pleasant environment year-round. Whether in your bedroom, living space or on the lanai – you’ll love being able to keep things cool. But don’t go it alone – call Promise Electric today for expert installation.
