One common question is whether there is any savings to be had in running a ceiling fan along with an air conditioner. The logic is that if a fan moves air around and helps you feel cool, then it can take away some of the cooling work of the AC and do it at a fraction of the cost.
But does this rationale hold water?
The Short Answer: Yes.
Simply put, the logic behind this question is sound. The ceiling fan helps circulate the cooled air through the room better than air conditioning alone, plus the velocity of the moving air makes you feel cooler. These effects allow you to bump up the thermostat a few degrees to lighten the burden on your AC, without decreasing your comfort level.
The Longer Answer: Yes, when used correctly.
Sounds great, right? All you have to do is leave your ceiling fans running, bump the thermostat up a few degrees and watch the savings roll in, right?
Turns out it’s a little more complicated than that.
Running your ceiling fans in conjunction with your AC will save you money by making the room feel cooler…but that effect only works when you’re actually in the room. This is because fans don’t actually cool the air, they just make you feel cooler by moving air swiftly past your skin, which helps evaporate sweat, among other things.
So, when your AC and fan are on at the same time, the fan enhances your perception of how cool the room is. But, if the room is empty, the fans are just spinning futilely because there’s no one in there to enjoy the effects of the moving air. In the end, this practice can actually cost you money.
To maximize both your comfort and your savings, feel free to turn ceiling fans on in rooms that you are both cooling and actively using. If you’re not, then go ahead and turn the fans off. For more questions about how to effectively use your air conditioner in Gaithersburg, give Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating a call today at 301-670-0034!