Using Your Fan and Air Conditioner in the Bay Area

April 13, 2016

Stay comfortable and save some money simultaneously as the weather heats up – what could be better? This time in-between seasons and in-between utilization of your furnace and air conditioner, you probably haven’t switched your cooling system on yet and could just be using ceiling fans to cool your home when needed. But did you know that utilizing your fans with your air conditioner throughout the summer could in fact be more effective and also save you more money?

Here’s how you can utilize your ceiling fans and your air conditioner appropriately together:

Adjust air direction

Based on the season, ceiling fans have the option to run clockwise or counterclockwise. Air should be wafting down during the summer months to push more air down. To check which way your fan is spinning, you can stand beneath the fan and see if you sense the breeze, and if not, change the course of the fan’s movement. While ceiling fans don’t generate cool air, they can make you feel cooler through the wind chill effect.

Raise your thermostat

The ideal way to drop costs this summer is by raising your thermostat some degrees. With the assistance of your ceiling fan, you won’t even sense the warmer thermostat temperature and your comfort levels shouldn’t be altered too much. For every degree you increase the temperature in your home, you’re helping your air conditioner to work not as much and feasibly saving yourself money.

Turn off your fan when you're not home

Everyone should consider their ceiling fans like their lights; when no one is in the room, it’s better to turn them off. Turning on fans in rooms without anyone in them decreases the positives from the wind chill and decreases energy in your home.

Here at Contra Costa Heating & AC in the Bay Area, we are all about ensuring your comfort while saving you money from your pocket. We want you to make the perfect decisions for your home and know all the possibilities to make your summer as efficient and comfortable as possible. If you have any questions about utilizing your fan and air conditioner together, give us a call at 510-343-9841 and talk with one of our air conditioner experts.