3 Tips to Save Energy with Ceiling Fans

With summer right around the corner, is your air conditioner ready for use? Some homeowners wait until the warm season has begun to request HVAC service but living in New England, you need functioning A/C from mid-spring to fall. At Connecticut Lighting Centers, we suggest the use of ceiling fans as a supplement to air conditioning for optimal cooling. Keep interior rooms comfortable and save money on energy bills with these 3 tips!

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Don’t Replace A/C

Minka-Aire ceiling fanWhile using a ceiling fan allows you to run the air conditioning less, it’s not recommend you shut down the A/C unit during summer. Running a ceiling fan does not lower the temperature in a room but helps circulate cool air from an air conditioner.

When the HVAC system and ceiling fan are run at the same time, you can raise your thermostat without losing comfort. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends increasing the thermostat four degrees when ceiling fans are on.

Find the Ideal Height

When you choose an energy-efficient ceiling fan for your home, it’s important to hang it at the correct ceiling height. If hung too high above the ground, you could lose the airflow and cooling effect. Whether you have average or high ceilings, the general rule of thumb is 8 to 11 feet from the blades to the floor.

For the downrod, length varies by ceiling height. The average single-story ceiling is about 9 feet tall. According to the American Lighting Association, downrod length should be between 3 and 6 inches. Higher ceilings, for instance 10 to 12 feet tall, benefit from a ceiling fan downrod length between 12 and 36 inches.

Consider the Lighting Element

Light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures are the most popular choice for homeowners looking to be more energy-efficient. Beyond LED landscape and pendant lights, Connecticut Lighting Centers also carries ceiling fans with LED integration. The one-two punch of saving energy on lighting and HVAC make LED ceiling fans a very attractive option for our customers.
 
With over 180 ceiling fans on display, we are your local destination for home comfort. Visit our Hartford or Southington showroom for FAN-tastic savings on indoor and outdoor ceiling fans today!