Home cooling efficiency: Combining air conditioning and ceiling fans

Experts recommend optimizing home cooling by combining air conditioning with ceiling fans to balance comfort and energy costs. While air conditioners regulate temperature and humidity, ceiling fans improve the sensation of coolness by circulating air and facilitating sweat evaporation, potentially making a room feel 3 to 4 degrees Celsius cooler.

To maximize efficiency, experts suggest the following:

- **Maintenance**: Cleaning air conditioner filters every 15 to 30 days is crucial, as dirty filters can reduce performance by half and increase energy consumption. - **Usage Habits**: Avoid setting thermostats to extreme lows, such as 16°C, as this does not cool the room faster but forces the compressor to work longer. For aerothermal systems, experts suggest programming an ideal temperature rather than constantly turning the unit on and off. - **Complementary Use**: Using a ceiling fan allows the air conditioner to be set to a higher, more efficient temperature (e.g., 27°C) while maintaining comfort. - **Environmental Control**: Closing shutters and curtains during peak sunlight hours helps maintain lower indoor temperatures.