In hot summer days, air conditioning runs almost non-stop, and electricity bills skyrocket. But can ordinary ceiling or floor fans really help save money? Let’s figure it out.
Does using a fan with an air conditioner really save money / © Associated Press
Summer is associated with poolside relaxation, barbecues, and blooming gardens. But there’s another side to it – high bills for cooling your home. Many people turn on the air conditioner all day, and along with it, fans too. The logical question arises: does this really help save money?
And, surprisingly, the answer is yes, but only if you use the fan correctly. Martha Stewart reveals when a fan truly works in your favor and when it just wastes electricity.
A Fan Helps Save Money
Ceiling, tower, and floor fans do not lower the air temperature. Instead, they ensure its constant circulation, making people feel cool.
Ceiling fans are considered particularly effective. When the air conditioner is in automatic mode and doesn’t continuously supply cold air, the fan keeps it moving throughout the room. This prevents the room from feeling stuffy.
However, the main condition for savings is to raise the temperature on the thermostat. This allows the air conditioner to work less, as each degree you raise the air conditioner’s temperature can reduce cooling costs by approximately 3–5%.
Using a ceiling fan allows you to raise the air conditioner’s temperature by about 2°C without sacrificing comfort. As a result, cooling savings can range from 12% to 20%.
When a Fan Is Not Beneficial
There’s a common mistake many homeowners make: leaving fans running in empty rooms. Remember that a fan doesn’t cool the room itself. It creates a breeze effect, making people feel cool. Therefore, if no one is in the room, a running fan only consumes electricity and provides no benefit.
How to Use Air Conditioner and Fan Together
To maximize effectiveness and reduce electricity bills, follow a few simple rules.
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Raise the air conditioner’s temperature. When using a fan, it’s recommended to increase the air conditioner’s temperature by 2°C–4°C. Thanks to the additional airflow, you’ll still feel comfortable.
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In summer, the fan should rotate counter-clockwise. Most modern ceiling fans have a direction switch. During the warm season, the blades should move counter-clockwise. This setting pushes warm air upwards, directs cooler air downwards, and creates a pleasant breeze.
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Use fans where you spend most of your time. There’s no point in cooling the entire house. It’s best to place fans in bedrooms, living rooms, or home offices – places where people spend the most time. The bedroom is often the most crucial room for this saving method.
What Helps Reduce Electricity Bills
The thermostat is just one part of a larger system. The efficiency of an air conditioner is also influenced by the technical condition of the equipment and the insulation of the house. Here are a few simple habits that really work:
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Regularly change the air filter. A dirty filter impairs air circulation, causing the air conditioner to run longer and consume more electricity.
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Seal all gaps around doors and windows. Even small openings allow heat to penetrate inside.
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Do not obstruct ventilation grilles. Ideally, place furniture at least a meter away from them to allow air to circulate freely.
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Close blinds or heavy curtains. Depending on the type of protection, they can reduce room heating by 25–60%.
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Use the exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathroom. It helps to get rid of excess heat and humidity faster.
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Try a simple home cooling method. Placing a bucket or bowl of ice in front of a floor or tower fan can create a stream of cooler air. This won’t replace an air conditioner but can help quickly refresh a small room.
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Use a box fan near a window. If it blows hot air outside, the temperature in the house will decrease more effectively than with regular circulation.
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Monitor the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. It should be level and not sagging; otherwise, the load on the system increases, and its lifespan decreases.
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Don’t skip annual maintenance. A dirty condenser or a clogged filter significantly reduces the air conditioner’s efficiency and increases electricity costs.
A fan by itself cannot cool a room the way an air conditioner does. However, it helps us feel cooler, allows us to raise the thermostat temperature, and thus reduce the cost of cooling our homes. And if you supplement this trick with simple habits, your summer electricity bills might pleasantly surprise you.
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