When it comes to electricity usage, heating and air systems are a huge consumer. Did you realize that air conditioning units alone make up about 5 percent of all electricity used in our country every year and that consumers spend around $5 billion on air conditioner usage?
At Whipple Service Champions, we’re here to help you reduce your costs in these important HVAC areas without sacrificing comfort for you or your family. One suggestion we offer here, particularly during the summer periods? Smartly using fans to supplement your air conditioning system and lower your monthly bill without losing any cooling power at all. Fans do use electricity, but they use far less than a standard AC unit. Here are some basics on how they can help.
Floor Fans
With floor fans, the goal is to create a cross-breeze through the home that keeps air flowing. One good method here when the air conditioner is turned off is to open a few windows, then use two fans – one sucking air into the home on one side while the other pushes air out on the other side of the house. This creates a breeze that will allow the actual AC to turn on less often.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans, on the other hand, can be used for multiple circulatory processes within a given room or set of rooms. For starters, ceiling fans flow both clockwise and counterclockwise – pushing air either upward or downward, respectively. During the summer, it’s generally best to set the fan counterclockwise to push air down, creating a breeze. During winter, you can turn this around and go clockwise, allowing warm air to be circulated more efficiently. In addition, ensure blades are angled at 12 degrees for the best air efficiency.
Additional HVAC Helpers
In addition to fans, there are a couple of other areas that can help out your AC system this summer. Consider closing curtains and shades for windows that take direct sunlight, for instance – you’d be surprised how much AC usage this can save you. Keep lights off inside, and wherever possible look to limit how often you use items that generate heat, such as the stove. Finally, ensure insulation around the home is well-maintained and not leaking anywhere.
For more on how fans can help your HVAC system, or to learn about any of our HVAC repair services, speak to the pros at Whipple Service Champions today.
