Instead of relying only on air conditioning this summer, incorporate fans into your home cooling plan. Just as an outdoor breeze in the winter contributes to the wind-chill factor, creating a breeze indoors in the summer keeps you cooler. The result is a more comfortable indoor environment and increased energy savings, because fans use far less energy than air conditioners.
Ceiling fans
Ceiling fans should be installed in all common living areas, such as the living room, dining room and kitchen. A ceiling fan can also help cool stuffy bedrooms. For a cooling effect in the summer, the blades should rotate counterclockwise. In the winter, the motor can be reversed to move blades clockwise. This disperses the warmer air near the ceiling downward.
In the summer, run a ceiling fan only when someone is actually in the room. Unlike air conditioners, which work by cooling down an area, a fan creates a cooling effect by blowing a breeze over the skin, dispensing body heat. A ceiling fan actually will make a room feel two or three degrees cooler, allowing you to raise the thermostat by a corresponding amount without losing comfort.
Attic ventilation
Heat can collect in your home’s attic. When this happens, it radiates to the rest of the home. Good ventilation in the attic can prevent this. Attic vents should be inspected or added, and an attic fan should be considered. Attic fans push heat out from the home and pull in cooler, fresher air. This is one of the best ways to make your home cooler and reduce the cooling load on your air conditioner. The latter can decrease your energy bills and may extend the life of your A/C.
Exhaust fans
Bathrooms and kitchens should have exhaust fans for two reasons. First, they remove humidity, which can lead to mold, mildew and decreased comfort during warm days. They also remove odors and air pollutants.
If you have questions about keeping your home cool or any other issues related to air quality and home comfort, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We have been providing friendly and professional HVAC services to the Dayton area since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about fans and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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