Not matter what the season, having one or more ceiling fans working for you can help reduce your heating and cooling costs, provided you buy two-way fans – the kind that rotate both clockwise and counter-clockwise.
During the cold weather months, clockwise is the way to go, thus allowing your fan to push warm air back down so it’s not wasted up around the ceiling. Switching to counter-clockwise once you turn on your air conditioning system will help pull the cool air that’s already fallen back up and around you.
In both cases, that means you and your family can enjoy all the comfort you like with lower utility bills by making better use of the conditioned air your heating and cooling systems are already producing.
To make the most of your ceiling fan as a home comfort enhancement, here are a few handy tips:
- Choose one or more fans that are properly sized for each room: too big is wasteful, and too small won’t do an adequate job.
- When you leave a room, turn off the fan. Ceiling fans don’t help heat or cool spaces, only people.
- If you have a two level-home, a great place to install a fan is at or near the top of the staircase, especially during the winter. That will help you make better use of the heat that’s escaping upstairs.
- If your fan has a light fixture attached, install a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb to save even more electricity.
Here’s one thing, however, that a ceiling fan can’t do: make your heating or cooling system more energy efficient than it already is. That’s where we come in: Zach Heating & Cooling. Once a year, we recommend a thorough cleaning and inspection of your heating and cooling systems to help them operate with greater efficiency and fewer repairs. With annual maintenance, your systems will last longer, too, while enhancing your family’s indoor safety.
For more information or to schedule service, contact Zach Heating & Cooling today.