Should You Run Your Ceiling Fans and Air Conditioner at the Same Time?

Some people only think to use their ceiling fans on mild days when their air conditioners are not on. But did you know there are actually some great benefits to running your ceiling fans and air conditioner at the same time? Today we’re going to talk about how your ceiling fans and air conditioner can work together to improve your home’s comfort and efficiency levels!

What do your ceiling fans do?

Although it may seem like it, your ceiling fans do not actually lower the temperature in a room. Instead, by blowing air onto your body, they create a wind-chill effect that makes rooms feel cooler even though the actual temperature has not changed. According to the Department of Energy, ceiling fans can make a room feel about 4 degrees cooler!

Make sure your fans are spinning in the right direction!

In order to properly use your ceiling fans with your air conditioner, it’s important to ensure that your fans are spinning in the right direction. This is especially true if you changed the direction of your fans this past winter.
When you are cooling your home, your ceiling fans should be spinning in a counter-clockwise direction (spinning to the left when you stare up at them). If you’re still unsure, try both settings and use the one that blows air directly onto you instead of the setting that produces a slight up-draft.

Benefits of running your ceiling fans and air conditioner at the same time

Now that we know what ceiling fans do and how to ensure yours are spinning properly, let’s take a look at two great benefits of using your ceiling fans and air conditioner at the same time:

• 1. Reduce home energy consumption. Some people are afraid to use their ceiling fans and air conditioners at the same time because they think it is a waste of energy. The truth is that ceiling fans use a very small amount of energy when they are operating, especially compared to the largeamount of energy that air conditioners consume. Because ceiling fans make homes feel about four degrees cooler, you can raise your thermostat about four degrees without feeling a difference in comfort. This will add up to some big savings on your monthly energy bills! Just make sure to turn your fans off when you are leaving a room.
• 2. Improve home comfort levels. Another great thing about ceiling fans is that they improve air circulation in rooms. By distributing cool air more evenly, a ceiling fan can help cool down spots in a room that are otherwise hard to reach and difficult to keep comfortable.

If you have any questions about using your ceiling fans and air conditioner at the same time, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor.