During peak summer months, it’s tempting to leave your ceiling fan running all day, every day, hoping a little extra airflow will help mitigate the heat. Unfortunately, that simple habit might be doing more harm than good.
To get the scoop on all things ceiling fans, I spoke to Dan DiClerico, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab.
First things first, it’s important to understand the mechanisms at play: A fan works by creating a wind chill effect. It moves air across your skin to speed up sweat evaporation, making you feel cooler even though the room temperature hasn’t changed. That’s also why the U.S. Department of Energy recommends turning ceiling fans off when you leave the room. If no one’s there to feel the breeze, the fan isn’t doing anything except running up the electric bill.
Below, DiClerico explains when a ceiling fan is actually worth running, and how to pair it with the AC for real savings.
Is there any benefit to running a fan in an empty room?
Generally, no. “Fans cool people, not the room, so there’s no real benefit to keeping them running when no one is in the room,” says DiClerico. The one exception is if a pet is hanging out in that room while you’re away. Then, it’s reasonable to leave the fan on for their comfort and safety.
How much cooler can a fan make a room feel?
The wind-chill effect from a ceiling fan can make a room feel about 4 degrees cooler than the actual air temperature, according to the Department of Energy.
Can a ceiling fan lower your AC bill?
Yes, when the two are used together. Running fans while you’re home lets you raise the thermostat by 5 to 10 degrees during extreme heat and still stay comfortable, says DiClerico. That’s a meaningful dent in cooling costs, since every degree higher on the thermostat means the AC runs less.
The bottom line
Run ceiling fans in occupied rooms during the hottest stretch of the day, nudge the thermostat up a few degrees to compensate, and switch the fans off on your way out. The exception is pets: if a dog or cat will be napping in a sunny room while you’re at work, leave the fan for them.
Used with intention, a ceiling fan is one of the most effective, least expensive tools for staying comfortable in summer—as long as it’s cooling a person or pet, not a space.
Noah Cortez is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor writing about
travel, culture, food, and lifestyle. Prior to this, he was a social media
editor at GQ Magazine, Complex, and Conde Nast Traveler, and his writing
has been featured in Tripadvisor, Hotels Above Par, Conde Nast Traveler,
and more. Find out more at noahcortez.com.
Source: Home Ideas - goodhousekeeping.com
