How Ceiling Fans Improve the Efficiency of Your AC and Heating System

Staying comfortable in your Northern Virginia home isn’t just a matter of achieving the right temperature. Air movement and humidity levels play significant roles as well. Ceiling fans can help you stay cool when the weather is hot or humid, and they can direct warm air down from the ceiling in cold weather too. Using ceiling fans allows you to reduce the need for air conditioning or heating and save money without sacrificing your comfort. The following tips can help maximize your energy savings.

Ceiling Fan Seasonal Settings

Ceiling fans cost only a few pennies per hour to run, which makes them an affordable way to enhance the ventilation and air quality in your home. For optimal comfort, use them to improve the air circulation when running your AC or heating system:

• In the summer, set the fan to turn in a counterclockwise direction. The moving air increases the amount of evaporation on your skin, which can make the room feel up to six degrees cooler.
• When the weather turns cold, reverse the direction of the blade to clockwise. The fan will blow the warm air that collects near the ceiling out and down into your living spaces.

Ceiling Fan Installation Tips

When it comes to selecting a new fan, look for an Energy Star qualified ceiling fan/light combination model. The Energy Star program cites them as 60 percent more efficient than conventional fan/light units, and the long-lasting bulbs produce 75 percent less heat. Although the minimum height for a ceiling fan is 7 feet, you’ll enjoy better airflow if you can hang it 8 to 9 feet above the floor.

When used strategically, ceiling fans can help lower your energy bills and who wouldn’t like that? To learn more about how to improve AC and heating system efficiency, check out our HVAC service solutions or call Commonwealth Cooling and Heating at 703-436-8028 today.