REVERSE THE SPIN OF YOUR CEILING FAN

Help your home stay warm this winter just by flipping a switch

Aceiling fan can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. But did you know you should change the direction your ceiling fan spins from season to season?

While most people are familiar with the cooling effect that circulating air can have during warm weather, they may not realize that circulating air can help keep your home warm when the temperatures drop. This makes ceiling fans great to use all year. Spinning the fan the right direction at the right time can help keep everyone in your home comfortable and save money on your utility bills.

SUMMER AND WINTER SETTINGS

Your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise (forward) during the summer. A ceiling fan that spins counterclockwise forces air downward, providing cooling relief when it’s hot. As temperatures get higher, you’ll naturally choose to run the fan faster to increase the cooling airflow.

Conversely, the ceiling fan needs to spin clockwise (reverse) during the winter. Because warm air rises, the air near the ceiling can be three to four degrees warmer than air near the floor. A ceiling fan that spins clockwise will draw cooler air up and force warmer air near the ceiling down and out toward walls. It’s best to run the fan on a low speed so that it doesn’t create too much of a cooling breeze.

YOU CAN CHANGE IT IN THE MOMENT TOO

Keep the fan direction in mind when you’re looking to cool down or warm up a room. For instance, run the fan counterclockwise if an oven heats up your kitchen beyond what’s comfortable or body heat from a gathering of people makes a room too toasty. Conversely, run a fan clockwise to amplify the heat from a fireplace or any other heat source in a room.

HOW TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION

Most ceiling fans have a switch on the motor that lets you change the direction by sliding it one way or the other. You will most likely need a ladder to reach it. Be sure your fan is turned off and completely still before getting on the ladder. Some ceiling fans have remote controls that let you easily change not only the speed of the fan, but the spin direction as well—without getting on a ladder.