Do you want a cooler, more comfortable home this summer? If so, you might think that your only option is to lower the temperature setting on your thermostat and end up paying higher energy bills. Switching ceiling fan direction is an easy way to boost your comfort, and it can bring you other benefits like energy savings and longer equipment lifespan too.

How Ceiling Fan Direction Relates to Comfort

Ceiling fans are designed and built with blades that can spin both forward and backward, and changing the blade direction just involves sliding a little switch located on the fan housing. During cooling season, the blades should be set to turn counter-clockwise, so they’re moving forward. With the blades rotating in this forward direction, air that’s pushed downward will create a pleasant “wind chill” that evaporates perspiration and helps cool the skin.

Switching the direction on all your ceiling fans isn’t a terribly time-consuming or difficult chore. Once you’ve set the blades moving forward so they can help you feel cooler, you can:

• Dial up the usual cooling season temperature you have set on the thermostat by several degrees without losing out on comfort. By raising the setting just a bit, you’ll lower your cooling-related energy usage and pay lower utility bills throughout the warmer season.
• Reduce the workload on your air conditioner or heat pump so it’s under less strain. When your cooling system has to endure less wear and strain, the equipment is less likely to break down unexpectedly, and it should last longer too.

Tips to Optimize Your Ceiling Fan Use

It’s important to know that ceiling fans don’t affect the actual temperature like your HVAC equipment does; fans simply move air and and this cooling effect makes a body feel more comfortable. With that in mind, it’s best to only use the fan in a room that’s occupied. By always switching a fan off when you exit a room, you won’t waste any energy running it unnecessarily.

To learn more ways to enhance comfort in your Peachtree City home this summer, contact us at Powers Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.