When you think about maximizing the cool comfort of your home, you may think of turning on a fan — but should you use your ceiling fan while the AC is already running? Would the ceiling fan help or hurt your air conditioner?
Well, there is a definite answer to your question and many reasons that back up that answer. Let’s look at some of them in hopes that they will help you decide on the best cooling option for your home.
Using AC and Ceiling Fan Together
The answer is yes, you can use your ceiling fan while your AC is running. Doing this is both easy and beneficial for your personal comfort and your home’s environment. However, to ensure that it stays that way, here are a couple of points to remember when you are using both at once:
- Make sure to set your thermostat 4 degrees higher than the desired temperature. This helps to save energy and keep your air conditioning unit in good condition while you use the ceiling fan with the AC running.
- Keep the interior doors of your home open. This is important for air circulation, especially when using the AC and ceiling fans together. Remembering this will keep your home cooler and maximize the cooling capabilities of your air conditioner and fan.
Keeping these suggestions in mind will help you maintain your home’s temperature and save money without losing comfort.
The Wind-Chill Factor
When you turn on your ceiling fan, you may think you are cooling your home when actually you are just cooling yourself. The fan blades help wick the warm air around your body via the breeze created by the ceiling fan. This is called the “wind-chill” effect.
One thing to note is that ceiling fans don’t actually lower the temperature of the room. But by creating a wind-chill that cools down the members of your household, you can raise the thermostat by a few degrees without compromising your comfort.
Save More
Does the ceiling fan help or hurt the air conditioner? It might be helpful to know that using the ceiling fan while the AC is running can actually help you save energy and money. By setting your thermostat up to 4 degrees higher while the ceiling fan is on, which helps to reduce the cost of running your unit, you can save up to 17 cents per hour. Though it might not seem like much, it adds up over time!
In short, this is a great way to save money while staying cool.
Use of Ceiling Fans in Cold Weather
Don’t limit the use of this process to just the summertime! Another way to enjoy the full benefits of your ceiling fan is by using it year-round, even during cold weather. Since heat rises, the ceiling fan can help move warm air down towards the living spaces where you are and circulate it around the room.
Please Keep It Safe
Remember that your unit will only be able to maintain safe air quality and the comfortable temperature you desire if it is in the best shape.
If you notice something may be wrong with your unit, you can schedule an air conditioner repair with St. Cloud’s leading experts. And if a new unit is needed, we at Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical are happy to help you stay cool and guide you in choosing from our many AC options, so you can find the perfect choice for your home!