SHOULD I USE A CEILING FAN WHILE MY AC IS ON?
If you have ceiling fans, you may wonder if it’s a good idea to run them while your air conditioning system is active. It turns out that there isn’t a simple yes-or-no answer. Instead, it depends on your goals.
When You’re Trying to Save Energy
Running a fan does not truly cool a room. Instead, it simply increases the evaporation of sweat from your body – assuming you are within range of the circulated air. This increase in evaporation allows your body to lose its own heat faster, and makes you feel cooler.
With that in mind, you can save energy if you are very careful to only run fans in the rooms you are actually in – and if you adjust the thermostat to allow the air conditioner to turn off at a higher actual temperature. Most people, however, are not meticulous about turning off their fans when they leave a room. When fans are left on when no one is around to enjoy their breezes, energy bills go up.
When You Want to Feel More Comfortable Regardless of Energy Costs
In this case, the answer is easy: run your fans and air conditioning at the same time. The air movement from a ceiling fan helps to keep the air from stratifying into hot and cold regions. Therefore, you avoid the cold feet/hot head effect that can otherwise happen. The downside is that running fan motors all the time, without cutting your A/C usage, will increase your power bill. The amount of the increase depends on how many fans you run, their size, and their energy efficiency. Only you can decide whether it’s worth it or not.
Save Money and Feel Even More Comfortable
The best way to both save money and feel more comfortable actually has nothing to do with fans. One of our new, highly-efficient air conditioning systems will provide the cooling you need without unnecessarily-high energy bills. We offer systems from Lennox, Heil, and other major brands to meet your needs.
HVAC Experts in Columbia, SC
To get a quote on a fresh new system, just call Carolina Comfort, Inc. Heating and Air Conditioning. We’re located in Columbia, SC, and serve all of the surrounding areas. From AC installation and inspection to AC repair and maintenance, we will meet all your cooling needs! Make an appointment with us today!
It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, or even what day it is. When your AC unit needs repairs right now, then our emergency HVAC technicians are ready 24/7 to help. If you have an AC emergency that just can’t wait, then call us to get the best emergency service in South Carolina.
5636 Bush River Rd.
Columbia, SC 29212
SC License – #M104545
NC License – #32356
Phone: (803) 794-5526
