Are you interested in improving the efficiency of your HVAC system? Have you tried running your ceiling fans? While ceiling fans don’t actually cool your home, their wind chill effect does enhance the comfort of household occupants. In fact, running a ceiling fan often allows Oklahoma homeowners to set their thermostats an average of four degrees higher without any noticeable difference in comfort.How does this improve HVAC efficiency? By running ceiling fans when you’re in the room and turning them off when you’re not, you can raise thermostat settings, conserving energy without sacrificing comfort. On cooler days, you may not have to run the air conditioner at all. For every degree you raise the temperature during the cooling season, you experience a significant reduction in cooling costs.If your home doesn’t currently have ceiling fans but you wish to enjoy the added comfort and energy savings they provide, you must first determine whether you have the amount of space necessary for proper installation. Ceiling fans should be installed in rooms with a minimum ceiling height of eight feet, hanging a minimum of:
Seven feet above the floor
Eight inches below the ceiling
18 inches away from surrounding walls
Other factors to consider when purchasing a new ceiling fan include:
Noise – Some fans are louder than others. To ensure that the fan you choose will provide the comfort you desire without becoming an auditory distraction, ask to listen to the fan during operation before making a purchase.
Size – While larger fans are often necessary for larger rooms, they can be an eyesore in smaller areas. If you feel you need additional comfort at lesser velocities, instead try installing a fan with larger blades.
While ceiling fans can certainly complement the efficiency of your cooling system, nothing ensures system efficiency like annual system maintenance. If you've been neglecting your system, a routine professional maintenance checkup can often provide the comfort and efficiency boost that your household needs. For an expert consultation regarding all of your heating and cooling needs, speak to one of our trained technicians. ContactAir Assurance today.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!
Home comfort and energy savings should be a priority in every Tulsa area household. To help you get optimal performance from your cooling system this summer, we’ve compiled this list of innovative energy-saving tips.
Raising temperature settings at the thermostat is a surefire way to reduce monthly cooling bills. To maximize savings without sacrificing home comfort, try keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re in the home and raising thermostat settings as high as 85 degrees while you’re away. But don't do this when it's over 95 degrees outside. That can actually cause energy bills to rise while the unit tries to catch up.
One way to take advantage of higher temperature settings without sacrificing home comfort is to utilize household ceiling fans. While ceiling fans don’t actually cool your home, running them while you're in the room can create a wind chill effect that will help you remain comfortable, even when thermostat settings are increased by as little as four degrees. Just remember to turn ceiling fans off when you’re not in the room.
Clogged air filters are notorious for restricting airflow and putting unnecessary strain on your air conditioner. Inspect filters monthly, cleaning and replacing as necessary.
Another cost-effective means of improving household energy efficiency is to address air leaks using caulking, seal and weather stripping. Common leakage points include areas around doors and windows, and gaps around lights, wiring, ductwork and plumbing.
Inadequate attic insulation can be a major drain on monthly energy costs. For an additional 10 percent savings, try boosting attic insulation to a minimum R-value of 30. If you can see your attic rafters, you are wasting lots of money on energy.
It also pays to properly seal ductwork. If your ducts leak, you could be losing as much as 20 percent of the air you pay to condition. While accessible ductwork can be addressed using metal tape or duct mastic, a professional can ensure that your entire duct system is sealed properly.
If your air conditioner is over ten years old, upgrading to a high-efficiency Energy Star-qualified model could save you as much as 10 percent.
In fact, Energy Star-qualified products are an ideal means of long-term energy savings. Look for products ranging from water heaters to light bulbs.
For a more customized assessment of your household energy efficiency, consult our NATE-certified technicians. Contact Air Assurance today!Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here.Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.
