In summer a ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise (as seen from below) to push air down and create a cooling breeze.
Summer
Counterclockwise as seen from below. The blades push air down, making a cooling breeze.
Winter
Clockwise at low speed. It pulls air up and pushes warm air from the ceiling down gently.
How to switch
Use the small switch on the fan body or the remote.
Savings
Using a fan can allow you to raise the thermostat by about 4°F with no loss of comfort (US Department of Energy).
Turn off
Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave.
Direction by season
In summer, ceiling fans should spin counterclockwise (as viewed from below) to push air down and create a breeze effect. In winter, set the fan to clockwise on low speed to draw cool air up and push warm air along the ceiling down the walls, without creating a draft.
- Most fans have a small switch on the motor housing to reverse direction. Turn off the fan and wait for it to stop before switching.
- Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. They do not lower air temperature.
- Using a fan allows setting the thermostat about 4 F (2 C) higher with no loss of comfort, according to the US Department of Energy.
Savings and use
Fans use about 15 to 90 watts compared with 2,000 to 3,500 watts for central air conditioning. Turn fans off when the room is empty. A fan with a blade pitch of 12 to 15 degrees moves air effectively. Blade length should match the room size. Dust blades regularly for efficiency and to reduce wobble.
Direction by season
In summer, ceiling fans should spin counterclockwise (viewed from below) to push air down and create a breeze. In winter, set to clockwise at low speed to pull air up and circulate warm air. Most fans have a switch on the motor housing.
Savings and use
Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave. The US Department of Energy says fans allow raising the thermostat by about 4 F with no loss of comfort.
Physics of ceiling fans
A fan blade angled to push air down creates a downdraft that evaporates sweat and cools skin by about 4 F in perceived temperature. In reverse, at low speed, it draws air up to the ceiling and pushes warmer air along the walls. Check the direction by standing under the fan: you should feel a breeze in summer.
Cost savings
Ceiling fans use about 15 to 90 watts, a fraction of AC at 3,000 watts. The DOE says raising the thermostat 4 F can save about 10 percent of cooling cost. Clean blades to prevent dust, and keep fans at least 7 feet above the floor. ENERGY STAR fans are about 60 percent more efficient than conventional models.
Based on data from the US Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR
