Used wisely, ceiling fans could
save you up to 25 percent on
energy bills for cooling your home.

Things to Know 5-7

5. Give your rooms a spin. Ceiling fans make people feel cooler by moving air across the skin, evaporating moisture. That cooling effect allows most people to raise their thermostats 3 or 4 degrees without sacrificing comfort. Because every degree you raise a thermostat can save 7 to 10 percent on energy costs, a couple of well-placed ceiling fans could save you more than 25 percent on cooling your home, especially if they are operated only when the rooms they are in are occupied.

6. Size your HVAC to your home. Air-conditioners cool best when they run for long periods of time, without frequently cycling on and off. Units and systems that are too big work less efficiently than properly sized installations. (Also, use the fan on central air-conditioning systems only when the compressor is operating, and rely on ceiling and other in-room fans for any additional air circulation.) A contractor should calculate the right-size equipment for your space based on Manual J from the Air-Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Don't assume that your existing furnace was appropriately sized (besides, new equipment designs are more efficient), and don't base your decision solely on square footage. The correct size depends on many factors, such as the number of windows in your space and how your house was constructed.

7. Shade your home and AC. Properly placed deciduous trees -- those that lose their leaves in winter but block summer sun -- can reduce cooling costs while adding to the curbside appeal of your home. One model indicates an average U.S. household could save from $100 to $250 in annual energy costs just by properly placing three trees. For more information, visit: www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/landscape.html