Ceiling fans are one of the most underappreciated ways to make your home more comfortable and cut energy costs. By improving air circulation and supporting your HVAC system, ceiling fans and energy efficiency are truly a perfect combination. They offer a smart, eco-friendly way to maintain your comfort in hot weather while lessening strain on your AC—helping you avoid unnecessary air conditioning repair.

In this blog, the experts at LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. discuss how ceiling fans can keep you cool while saving you money thanks to increased HVAC efficiency. We'll also provide some HVAC efficiency tips that take advantage of ceiling fans.

Comfort vs. Temperature: The Effect of the Wind-Chill Effect Indoors

Ceiling fans don’t actually lower the room temperature—they make your home more comfortable by increasing air movement across your skin. This is referred to as the wind-chill effect, and it can make a room feel up to 4 degrees cooler without touching the thermostat. That means you feel less hot and enjoy the benefits of indoor air circulation from your ceiling fan while relying less on your air conditioner—helping reduce your electric bill in summer.

The Best of Both: Benefits of Using Fans and Air Conditioning Together

There are several upsides to using ceiling fans and air conditioning together, especially during the warmer months. By combining both, you increase HVAC efficiency and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature with less effort from your cooling system.

Why you should use ceiling fans and AC together:

  • Ceiling fans help lower HVAC load by circulating cool air more evenly around rooms in your home. Decreasing HVAC stress is important, because it can prevent a breakdown that could result in premature AC or furnace installation.
  • Using ceiling fans boosts the comfort level of your home by eliminating hot spots and enhancing circulation.
  • Pairing ceiling fans and AC can cut energy consumption. If you have a home automation system, you can even fine-tune your smart thermostat settings to increase the temperature slightly while your ceiling fan is running.

Clockwise vs. Counterclockwise Ceiling Fan Rotation: Which Direction Should a Fan Spin?

To maximize the benefits of your ceiling fans year-round, it’s important to ensure blades are rotating in the right direction for the season. The direction influences how air moves, which can either or push warm air downward so you feel warmer.

When it's best to spin ceiling fans counterclockwise

When it's hot outside, ceiling fans should turn counterclockwise at a higher speed. This creates a breeze that moves air toward the floor, increasing the wind-chill effect and making you feel cooler.

When to rotate ceiling fans clockwise

When it's cold out, set your fan to spin clockwise on a low speed. This lifts cooler air and circulates heated air down to where you can feel it, so you feel warmer without adjusting your thermostat.

What Type of Ceiling Fan Is Best

Picking the best ceiling fan depends on a few critical considerations, such as blade design, airflow rating and room dimensions. First, look for fans that offer a good blend of ECFM airflow and blade pitch to deliver efficient air movement in your home:

  • ECFM refers to how much air a fan moves—the cubic feet per minute, or CFM—per watt of electricity it uses. Fans with higher ECFM are the most energy efficient.
  • Blade pitch is the angle of the blades. A steeper blade pitch moves more air than a shallower pitch but can also stress the fan’s motor.

Also, consider room size when sizing a ceiling fan—a fan that’s too small won’t move as much air as you'd like, while one that’s too large may be overpowering for the room.

Raise Your HVAC Efficiency With Help from LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc.

At LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc., our HVAC specialists can help you maintain a cozy home while minimizing wear on your heating and cooling systems. From practical fan advice and air conditioning installation to smart thermostats and furnace repair, we offer comprehensive solutions that work with your budget. Reserve your appointment by calling 570-648-0748 today.