Take a close look at the central housing on your ceiling fan. If you see a small switch that moves horizontally or vertically, you’re in luck. That switch allows you to change the direction your ceiling fan blades rotate. Knowing when to use which rotational direction can lower utility bills while making everyone in the room feel more comfortable. This is true in summer when you want that extra breeze and also in the winter when the behavior of warm air can thwart your attempts to heat the room. It can get cold even in Tampa and the surrounding area, and knowing how to use that switch will make your home much more enjoyable year-round.
Why Blade Rotation Direction Is So Important
Because the blades are angled, they can push or pull air instead of just slicing through it. That means they create an updraft or downdraft, depending on which direction they move. With a multi-directional ceiling fan, your home can feel cooler in summer and warmer in winter while keeping the thermostat at the same temperature setting. The upshot in both cases is a reduced use of energy on heating and cooling costs, thus lowering your bills.
Summer Use of the Ceiling Fan
When the fan rotates counterclockwise (as seen when looking up at the fan from the ground), the angled blades sweep through the air and push it down. Even when the fan is on a low setting, you can feel that breeze flowing down toward you when you stand under the fan. That natural cooling effect of the wind allows you to stay comfortable even when you turn the temperature up a few degrees.
When it’s hot outside, you’ll want to turn the ceiling fan on medium or high speed. This creates a nice breeze and makes the space around you feel cooler. As a result, you can still feel comfortable when you turn the temperature on the AC up a few degrees.
Winter Use of the Ceiling Fan
Heat rises, so in winter, warm air from the heater rises to the ceiling and stays there. This means the room down at the furniture level will be colder. Energy is wasted heating air that ends up high in the room where you can’t feel it. When this happens, the heater will turn on sooner, raising your energy costs.
If you flip the switch on the ceiling fan so that the blades turn clockwise, the angled blades pull air up toward the ceiling. This mixes with and pushes down the warm air, creating a more uniform temperature in the whole room.
One thing to keep in mind is that the fan will create a breeze no matter which direction the blades are turning in. However, when rotating clockwise, the breeze generated would be felt up toward the ceiling instead of down where you are. At the same time, you’ll probably want to keep the speed on low. That will be fast enough to circulate the warm air but remain slow enough not to force a noticeable draft. If you still feel too cold with the fan on, use it in intervals. That way, the warm air still travels down, but you don’t have to deal with the cold breeze except for a few minutes now and then.
When Should You Flip the Switch?
There’s no hard and fast rule about when to flip the switch on the ceiling fan. You can change it any time you want, but it can be annoying to keep getting a stepladder and remember which way the fan turned last time. This is especially true in the fall and spring when you might switch back and forth between the heater and air conditioner. You may find it easier to decide on a specific time of year when you’ll flip the switch for the season and then leave it that way for months.
In the fall, the air might be cool enough that you might be able to do without the air conditioner entirely and just rely on the ceiling fan in the counterclockwise position. This can save you a considerable amount of energy when you’re using the heater at night, but the house gets stuffy during the day when neither the heater nor AC is circulating the air.
When the weather has definitely gotten to the point where you won’t be using the AC at all for a few months, go ahead and switch the fan to turn clockwise. This gets it ready to recirculate the warm air that would otherwise be stuck near the ceiling. As the weather warms, you may again want to use just the ceiling fan to keep you comfortable when the thermometer rises without switching to AC. This means you would want to turn the switch back to the counterclockwise position.
Regardless of the season, when it’s time to flip that switch, remember to turn off the fan and let the blades come to a complete stop first. Never flip the switch when the blades are rotating, and this can ruin the motor.
What If You Have a Fan Without a Switch?
Despite how helpful the directional switch can be, some ceiling fans are still made without them. Sometimes, the switch is on a remote control or inside the housing. However, there are low-end ceiling fans with no option to switch blade direction. Older fans may not have switches, either.
If you’ve got one of these unidirectional fans, consider replacing it this year to benefit from the energy savings and increased comfort that a multi-directional ceiling fan can bring. Even if you plan to use the fan mainly in summer, having the option to switch it clockwise and help distribute warm air in winter can save you a fair amount of money. While it can be tempting to install a ceiling fan yourself, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Working with electricity is inherently dangerous. Plus, if you install it incorrectly, it could short out the ceiling fan or damage the home’s electrical system.
If you want to add or replace a ceiling fan, your fan isn’t rotating correctly, or the directional switch doesn’t work, it’s time to hire an experienced electrical company to help. At Comfort All-Stars, we offer ceiling fan installation and repair. You can trust that we will handle your project promptly and professionally. We are proud to offer heating, cooling, and electrical services to customers throughout the Tampa Bay area. Our team can also assist with indoor air quality, duct sealing, and duct cleaning.
At Comfort All-Stars, we are proud to be a customer-focused business backed by over 30 years of industry experience. From heating and AC repairs, installations, and maintenance to electrical needs, you can trust that all work is done with integrity. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every project. Contact Comfort All-Stars today to learn more or to schedule your appointment.
