This summer has been a scorcher, and it’s not done yet. From record-breaking heat waves, to heat domes that have sent temperatures soaring for days at a time, staying cool is more difficult than ever. While many people will immediately reach for the AC, running a fan can help to keep you comfortable without running up your power bill.
If you don’t want to run the air conditioner 24/7, there are some tricks to help you keep the inside of your home cool. Methods like closing the curtains or wearing lightweight clothing can help, but they only go so far. If you can’t get comfortable at bedtime because it’s too hot, setting up a fan can make a huge difference. But you should be sure to put it in the right place.
Scroll on for tips and tricks to maximize your comfort and coolness this summer.
For more, check out our tips on how to save on heat and air conditioning with a small home upgrade, and learn about five signs it’s time to replace your window AC unit. And if you have a ceiling fan, you’ll want to make sure it’s rotating in the correct direction for the season (yes, there’s a difference).
Fan location matters
One big thing you may be overlooking when you turn on a fan is its placement. To ensure optimal cooling with a window fan, the US Department of Energy suggests putting it in a window where the wind is blowing away from the house. This helps pull the hot air out of your home.
Make sure other nearby windows are closed so the hot air is forced to travel out the window with the fan.
You can double up with intermittent cooling from an air conditioner to really chill your home, without keeping the window unit blasting all the time. An AC essentially turns your home into a big refrigerator — the fan helps serve as the fridge’s ventilation.
If you want to cut back on AC usage even more, you can take advantage of cross-ventilation by opening windows in rooms farther away from the fan, especially where wind is blowing toward the house. This works best if the open windows are in cooler, shaded areas rather than direct sunlight so that cooler air is coming into your house as the hotter air is being pulled outside by the window fan.
If your home has more than one story, you should install your fan on the second floor and open windows on the main floor for cross-ventilation, according to the DOE. Otherwise, you could install multiple fans in different sections of your home.
A couple of additional tips
Even if you don’t have a window fan, you can create cross-ventilation with open windows to make your space a bit more comfortable. Experiment by opening a window where wind blows toward the house and another window across your home where wind blows away from the house. This should help cooler air move into the house and expel the hotter, more stagnant air.
If you have a ceiling fan in your home this summer, make sure it’s rotating counterclockwise to pull warmer air up and push cooler air down. Read more about how to safely switch the direction your ceiling fan rotates.
Here Are 23 Ways to Save On Your Electric Bills Right Now
See all photos
For more on how to stay warm or cool (and save money), check out our guide on where to install a thermostat and the ideal thermostat setting to save money without sacrificing comfort.
