When it comes to managing monthly energy costs, people often have similar ideas about what drives savings: turning the lights off, opening the windows, using the fan instead of the air conditioner… but that last one has stirred up some healthy homeowner debate:
“When I run just my fans, I feel like I’m using more electric for less cool air.”
“Why run my fans if my AC gets the job done?”
“My fans only interfere with the AC’s airflow.”
These are all valid concerns, but MoreVent wants to blow them away and give you the real deal on the relationship between fans and air conditioners. While it’s true that running your AC and fans simultaneously the wrong way has the potential to be costly, running them together the right way lowers energy costs significantly.
So, before you ditch your fans in favor of the AC, or vise versa, understand the maximizing effects of using each one properly in conjunction with the other. If these two units don’t work together, they work against one another, inhibiting airflow and upping utility bills. Here’s how to ensure the correct correlation between the two air-blasting machines, saving you on electric use while maximizing home comfort.

How Cool Do You Want To Go?

Think of your fan as the windchill of indoor weather. Your AC lays the ground temperature, while the circulation capabilities of a fan enable you to distribute air through the entire home. In other words, your AC is producing cool air, and your fan is spreading it. A fan also pushes air down, so your downstairs might feel whole degrees cooler than your upstairs.

Set Your Thermostat Accordingly

It’s important to be familiar with these factors when setting your thermostat. It basically boils down to how cool you want your home to be. If it’s one of those unbearable summer days and you’re aiming to create a chilly atmosphere, set your thermostat at a lower temperature. The collaborative effort from both your AC unit and your fans produces a comfortable environment, but it also uses a ton of electricity.
If you’re hoping to cool down the house without freezing out your inhabitants, bump your thermostat up a couple of notches. Remember: Fans circulate air through your entire home. If your thermostat is set at a comfortable temperature, your air conditioner is able totake the occasional break while your fans spread the existing cool air. This saves significantly on energy use.

A Cost-Effective Collaboration

Air conditioners run at their manufactured power level, approximately 1,800-6,000 watts an hour, regardless of their set temperature. Most ceiling fans use about 60 watts an hour. At a glance, this seems like a lot of power consumption.
Ceiling fans allow AC-generated air to spread throughout your home so that the unit runs consistently. An AC Unit uses the most energy when it kicks on.
If you’re used to relying solely on your air conditioner or just on your ceiling fans, consider putting this dynamic duo into play (along with the intermittent use of your thermostat), and see your energy costs drop dramatically.
Ready to learn more about how your air conditioner and ceiling fans impact home comfort? Contact a MoreVent technician today to get MoreValue out of HVAC services in Chester County, Delaware County or Montgomery County, PA. MoreVent now offers plumbing services as well. Call to set up an initial consultation!
Chester County: 610. 431. 1616
Delaware County: 610. 565. 9999
Montgomery County: 610. 879. 0511
Beat the heat this summer with MoreVent heating, air conditioning and plumbing.