It’s another hot and humid summer in the Tampa-Clearwater area. In Florida, a good air conditioner is more than a luxury; it’s a necessity. The problem is, running your A/C all day (and even through the night) drives your energy bills through the roof. Is there a way to stay cool and comfortable this summer without breaking the bank? There are a number of steps you can take to reduce your energy bills. One of the simplest and most effective is to use ceiling fans.
As with window, standing or box fans, ceiling fans work best when you’re directly in the path of their airflow. However, ceiling fans do a better job of circulating air throughout the room than other fans. They also use far less energy than your A/C. Because of this, if you run your ceiling fan and A/C together, you can turn the thermostat up three or four degrees, saving energy, with no reduction in your comfort level. The wind-chill factor makes the air feel cooler as it blows against your skin, so you can feel cool and comfortable without wasting power.
If you don’t have ceiling fans in your home, installing them can be a great investment. But what kind of ceiling fan do you need? It depends on the size of the room. In a smaller room (up to 225 square feet), a 36-inch diameter fan will do best, whereas for a larger room, you’ll probably want a 52-inch fan. If the room is more than 18 feet long, you’ll need at least two fans to circulate the air effectively. You should also consider how loud the fan runs. Getting a slightly more expensive fan usually means it will operate more quietly. Check the noise rating before you make your purchase.
Most importantly, make sure, when you purchase a ceiling fan, that it bears the blue Energy Star label. This means that it’s been certified by the federal Energy Star program to save energy over standard models while providing the same or better level of performance.
For more help with ceiling fans and saving energy in your Tampa, Clearwater or St. Petersburg area home, please contact us at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating.
