If you are tired of high energy bills, read on.
According to the United States Energy Information Administration (part of the Department of Energy), air conditioning accounts for the highest percentage of your home’s energy cost. Thus, if there is anything you can do to ease the load on an HVAC system, you can save money. Here in North Carolina (Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham area), we have a wide range of temperatures we have to deal with throughout the year. Some of the summer months can tax your air conditioner’s ability to keep your home cool. The harder the system has to work, the more you end up paying. In these uncertain times, anything we can do to reduce our financial obligations is a welcome relief. So here are three ways that ceiling fan installations or upgrades can save you money.
Using Ceiling Fans Before You Need A/C
During the Spring and early Summer, it is often possible to use a ceiling fan instead of your A/C. An efficient ceiling fan can easily help circulate air in your home and uses far less energy than A/C units. On average, air conditioning costs about 36 cents per hour of operation, while a ceiling fan costs a penny. When used in conjunction with box style and other portable fans, it is possible to maintain the temperature in your home without resorting to turning on cooling. One complaint we hear is that people can suffer from allergies during the spring. If that is the case, you can still use the ceiling fan solution provided you get a good HEPA air filter for your bedroom or other rooms you frequent. One additional benefit from delaying the use of your A/C is mental. We have gotten used to running air conditioning to the point where in some cases, we use it out of habit rather than need. Using natural cooling allows your body to adapt to seasonal temperature variations so that even during the hottest months, you won’t perceive the heat as so oppressive when it really warms up.
Ceiling Fans Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Perceived Cooling Power
Once the weather does heat up (I’m looking at you, Durham), when you use a ceiling fan in conjunction with your A/C, your room feels cooler because the cool air produces a wind-chill effect. The cool air rushes past your skin and enhances the cooling effect. Studies have shown that you can even increase the temperature of your thermostat by four degrees without any change in the perceived temperature of the room. Thus, you reduce the energy required to maintain a comfortable room. One caveat: if you leave your ceiling fans on while you are out of the room, the room doesn’t get cooler. You are wasting electricity. So you need to be in the habit of turning the fans off when you leave the room to enjoy the best savings.
Ceiling Fans Work Well in the Winter Too!
One other aspect that people forget is that ceiling fans can even the heat distribution in your room as well. In the winter, our heaters tend to just let the heat rise to the ceiling while the cool air hovers around the bottom third of the room height. By using a ceiling fan with the direction reversed, you will pull cool air up and push the warm air down along the walls. This can have a significant effect on when your thermostats kick your heater on depending on the thermostat placement.
Congratulations. You are a three-season energy saver!
Get the Benefits of New or Upgraded Ceiling Fans in Your Home
Mr. Electric of Chapel Hill wants you to feel great in your home. Installing ceiling fans is just one way we can help you keep your home running in top shape. In addition, we offer:
- 10% Off electrical service or repair work for veterans (new customers only)
- 10% Off electrical service or repair work for seniors (new customers only)
- $50 off whole house surge protection (new customers only)
- Free home safety check
Contact Mr. Electric of Chapel Hill today and get started lowering your home electricity costs!
