Does It Matter Which Way Your Ceiling Fan Blades Are Spinning?

It’s springtime, and among other household seasonal tasks, remember to check your ceiling fans to ensure their blades are rotating correctly. The blade rotation should be set to counterclockwise for cooling, while a clockwise rotation helps to redistribute warm air during the heating season. Ceiling fans can make a huge difference as a complement to your HVAC system. It therefore matters greatly that you pay attention to the direction in which the blades are spinning each season.

How to Change the Setting

If you have never adjusted the setting for winter operation, it is probably already set to the correct position, as the factory setting is generally in the counterclockwise position. If the blades are turning clockwise, you will need to flip the small switch located on the fan’s housing. Remember to turn off the fan before attempting to change its rotation.

Keep Cool With a Ceiling Fan

As the blades turn counterclockwise, they blow air downward toward the middle of a room. That creates a mild breeze and a cooling wind-chill effect. It can make a room feel much cooler than the actual temperature setting, allowing you to turn up the thermostat to save energy without sacrificing comfort. Remember, though, if no one is in the room, there is no reason to keep the fan going as its effect is on people, not on the actual room temperature. To save energy turn off the fan if the room will be unoccupied for extended periods.

Stay Warm With a Ceiling Fan

In the winter, the clockwise rotation pushes warm air that collects near the ceiling out toward the walls and down into the room. The warmer air will delay the thermostat’s signal for the furnace to cycle on, again saving you energy and money.

Ceiling fans are also useful devices during the late spring and early fall when they can provide enough of a cooling effect to eliminate HVAC system usage altogether. It may seem like much ado about nothing, but using a ceiling fan will certainly help you to realize energy savings.

Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning can help you to find more ways to save energy in your Alexandria area-home. Call us today at (703) 491-2771 for more information about our services.

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