Should I Run My Air Conditioner and Ceiling Fans at the Same Time?

Yes, it might sound odd, but complementing your running air conditioner with a ceiling fan can help you save money and maintain your comfort at the same time throughout the hotter, more humid months in the Northern Rivers.

While air conditioners have taken over as the most efficient cooling option on its own, ceiling fans still retain their popularity and are ideal for use alongside air conditioners.

If you’re wondering how you can make the most out of your air con / fan combo, read on –

The workings of a fan

Ceiling fans thrive on the principles that make our wintry days seem much cooler than they really are, by circulating cool air across a room. As it does, it evaporates perspiration while spreading body heat, thus prompting us to feel cooler. 

This means ceiling fans can tend to make a room feel colder than it actually is, helping you to stay comfortable all day long.

Ceiling fan/air con combos

Using a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioner will help you feel even cooler. You’ll then be able to adjust your air con temperature to be a bit warmer, which itself carries great benefits. By keeping your fan on, it’s highly likely that you won’t notice a difference in the temperature, so there’ll really be no detriment to your comfort.

Raising the thermostat

Turning on your fan while using your air con will allow you to raise the thermostat without any loss of comfort. As mentioned previously, ceiling fans circulate air to create a wind chill, and this can leave your room feeling as much as 5 degrees cooler than it actually is. Turn up your air conditioner’s temperature, switch on the fan, and relax in comfort during those hot summer months.

The reality of savings

It’s commonly suggested that for every degree you raise your thermostat, you’ll experience a 10% reduction in the number of “on” cycles you use. While this won’t sound like a lot, it really is. In an average home, the cost of running your air conditioner is about 46 cents per hour.

Ceiling fans, on the other hand, cost just 1 cent an hour to operate. Raising your air conditioner’s thermostat by as much as 4 degrees will attract a saving of about 17 cents, or 16 cents with the fan running.

Considering most air conditioners run for about 6 hours a day during summer, you’ll save about $30 a month with this simple trick without experiencing any compromise on comfort or cooling.

At the same time, it’s important to remember a ceiling fan only works to make a room feel cooler when it’s occupied. If there’s no one home, turn off your air conditioner to easily save money.

Considering installing an air con / fan combo at your home?

We’re a friendly, passionate and qualified team with fifteen years of experience in the industry, and we pride ourselves on our ability to manage all sorts of electrical installations. So whether you need a new ceiling fan or full air conditioning system install, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t hesitate to call us to schedule a consultation so that we can recommend the best products for your property. Give Coughran Electrical a call today at (02) 6680 4173 to get started now.