With spring in the air and summer just around the corner, like most homeowners, your thoughts are probably turning to keeping your home cool and comfortable when the weather heats up outside. If you have a ceiling fan, using it in conjunction your air conditioner can help you maximize efficiency by lowering your indoor temperature. However, ceiling fans only work if the blades are moving in the right direction.
Which Direction Should My Ceiling Fan Be Moving?
During warm summer months, you want your ceiling fan to revolve in a counterclockwise direction, which is also known as the “forward direction.” Setting your fan to turn in this direction pushes air down toward your room’s occupants. When the circulating air hits your skin, it makes you feel cooler, which allows you to set your thermostat at a higher temperature and save money without lowering your comfort level.
During cooler winter months, reverse the blades to run in a clockwise fashion, known as the “reverse direction.” When blades move clockwise, they draw cooler air upward toward the ceiling, pushing the hot air that collects at ceiling level down into your room, allowing you to run your heating system less, which lowers your energy bill.
Setting Your Fan for Summer
Most ceiling fans have either a switch that controls the direction the fan blades or a remote button that controls that function. Turn your fan on and allow it to run for a few seconds. Look up at the fan and determine which direction the blades are turning. If it is summer and the blades are turning counterclockwise, it is set correctly. If it is turning in a clockwise fashion, turn the fan off, change the directional setting and then turn the power to the fan back on.
For more information about maximizing your cooling efficiency this summer, check out Sullivan Oil & Propane’s air conditioning solutions or call 610-365-1268.
