Here’s how to save electricity when using ceiling fans

Summer is almost here and apart from rising temperatures, that also means ever-increasing electricity bills. This is natural as we tend to use a lot of electronic appliances during these months for relief and comfort. Among them, the most used are ceiling fans.

Increased usage of ceiling fans during the hot months, whether it is longer hours or higher speeds, can mean high energy usage. However, this doesn’t mean you have no control over the bills at all. Some tips to optimise your ceiling fan usage will not only help you to use the fans better, but also with lesser energy, which means lower electricity bills. Let’s check them out.

Top 5 ways to save energy while using ceiling fans

To save energy, we need to improve the overall efficiency of the ceiling fan, making it offer more cooling with lesser electricity. Here’s how to do that.

Perfect positioning

A ceiling fan won’t work effectively if it is not fixed at its ideal position in relation to the ceiling as well as the ground and thus, you will need to run it at a higher speed. Make sure that your ceiling fan is at least 10-12 inches from the ceiling. Ceiling fans also work best when the blades are 7-8 feet from the ground. Adjusting the ceiling fan to its ideal position will improve efficiency and thus save energy in the long run.

The right size

This is one of the biggest reasons for increased energy consumption due to the ceiling fan. Ceiling fans come in multiple sizes and based on the dimensions and setting of your room, you may need a different size. For instance, if your room is longer than 18 feet, one big fan may not be enough, but for a smaller room, a large fan will be overkill and waste energy. For a room size under 160 sq ft, a 1200mm fan should be enough, but for 160-250 sq ft, you may need a 1,400mm fan.

Switching it off

Unlike other cooling appliances such as a cooler or an air conditioner, a ceiling fan can’t cool down a room and is effective only in your presence. Hence, make it a point to switch off the fan when leaving a room. Inculcating the habit of turning off electricals that are not in use will result in a lot of energy savings and as a result will significantly reduce your electricity bill.

Upgrade to an efficient fan

If your ceiling fan is very old and showing signs of inefficiency like reduced effectiveness or unwanted noises, it may make more sense to get a newer, more efficient fan. This will provide better cooling and may use less electricity in the long run.

Maintenance

With use, dust and dirt gets accumulated not just on the surface of the blades but on vital parts such as the capacitor and motor resulting in a gradual decline in efficiency. You should clean your blades and other exposed bits regularly to keep your fan performing at its peak. This will also extend the life cycle of the fan. If you need help with cleaning your fan you may also refer to the owner’s manual that came with it.