How to Save Energy (And Money) with a Ceiling Fan Summer 2024!

Did you know you can save over $110 this summer by using your ceiling fan?* And no we do not mean turning off your air and sitting under a fan! You can save money while using both together!

Today marks the first official day of Summer. With temperatures rising, it's the perfect time to think about staying cool all Summer long. Did you know that using ceiling fans can help you save on energy costs while keeping your home comfortable? Many homeowners use their ceiling fans only until the house gets too warm. Then, OFF goes the ceiling fan and ON comes the AC, and the electric bill. However, there’s a more efficient way to keep cool and save money! Using your ceiling fans and AC unit simultaneously can help save you money on your monthly cooling bill.

According to the Department of Energy, if you use air conditioning to cool your home, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. This means if you like to feel a cool 70°F, set your thermostat to 74°F and turn on your ceiling fan. This simple adjustment can reduce your reliance on air conditioning, helping with energy savings and a lower utility bill. Together, we can save over $14 billion this Summer!

Mind blowing, we know! Let's see how!

How to Use Your Ceiling Fan to Cool Your Room

Unlike air conditioners, ceiling fans don't actually lower the temperature in a room. Instead, they offer a "wind chill effect" that helps you feel cool from the breeze brushing against your skin. Keep in mind that ceiling fans are designed to cool people, not rooms. For that reason, running a ceiling fan in an empty room will just waste money and energy.

Let’s break down how ceiling fans can help keep you cool in your home and reduce your energy bills.

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Do Ceiling Fans Help Air Conditioning Efficiency?

Yes, as long as your ceiling fan is set to spin in the right direction, it can increase air conditioning efficiency and help reduce how much you spend on your monthly electric bills. Depending on the time of year, you should set your ceiling fan direction to clockwise or counterclockwise.

During summer, make sure your fan is turning counterclockwise so it creates a downward draft and circulates the cool air around you. If your fan blades are turning clockwise, simply turn off the fan and flip the switch on the fan body (or push the button on your ceiling fan remote) to change the direction the blades spin.

This way, your fan can work with your AC by providing cooling airflow throughout the space, and you don’t have to keep the thermostat temperature set as low.

Do Ceiling Fans Help with Cooling Costs?

Ceiling fans can help with cooling costs. In fact, according to the Department of Energy, "Ceiling fans allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F without impacting your comfort."

Many people bump their thermostat up when they’re away from home and then lower it back down when they return. Now, instead of turning the air down when you come home, you can keep it at the same temperature and turn the fan on to feel just as cool.

So, how do ceiling fans help with cooling costs, exactly? Let's do the math.

How Much Money Can a Ceiling Fan Save You?

Electricity rates vary in different parts of the country. Depending on how high you set your thermostat and use your ceiling fan in the room you're in, you could save approximately 12% on cooling costs.

With over 100 million households in the United States, the potential to reduce energy consumption is only compounded. If all homeowners used ceiling fans to maintain a comfortable environment and raised thermostat settings by just 4°F during warmer weather, billions of dollars could be saved nationwide.

How to Save Money with Ceiling Fans

Now that you understand how much money you could save by turning on your ceiling fan, knowing how to use your fan to maximize your cooling comfort can be helpful. Follow these tips to save money with your ceiling fans:

Use the appropriate ceiling fan direction for the warmer spring and summer months.
Install the right ceiling fan size for your space to improve energy efficiency.
Turn up your thermostat by up to 4°F.
If the room isn't occupied, turn the ceiling fan off.
Adjust the speed of the fan as needed to stay comfortable.
Keep shades and curtains drawn during the day to block direct sunlight.
Make sure your home is properly insulated and that windows are tightly sealed.

In addition to offering energy efficiency, Hunter ceiling fans add a touch of sophistication and comfort to any space. Shop the selection of quality models available at Hunter to choose the right ceiling fans for your home.

*The savings are based on an individual turning up their thermostat 4°F and running their ceiling fan. Individual savings may vary depending on geographic location, local energy rates, level of home insulation, actual usage, and other influencing factors.