| Copyright © 2008 Christopher R. Prickett. All rights reserved worldwide |
| The Right Spin on Ceiling Fans |
Ceiling fans are cool! Everybody knows that a nice breeze feel great on a warm summer day. What
many people don’t know is that the same fan that cools in June can warm in January.
In the summer, set the fan to draw the warm air, which rises to the ceiling, DOWN. With virtually all fans,
this is counter clockwise. This will provide a breeze and make the room feel about 5 degrees cooler. It
will also keep the air circulating and minimize “hot spots” in the room. Oh, and here’s the best part- using
ceiling fans can lower your utility bills from 10 to 40%!
In the winter, the fan should draw the air UP, or clockwise. Blowing up, on a lower setting, the fan moves
the warmer air in the room up and out, to come back down along the walls and windows. This action
makes the floor (and footsies) warmer. This setting also makes the house temperatures more
consistent, but you don’t feel a draft from the fan.
If your fan has a switch on the side of the motor housing that moves p and down, simply push it in the
direction you want the air to go. If the switch moves sideways, push it in the direction of the lower edge
of the blades to move air up for heating season. Push it toward the upper edge of the blades to move
the air down for cooling season.
Other fan tips:
many people don’t know is that the same fan that cools in June can warm in January.
In the summer, set the fan to draw the warm air, which rises to the ceiling, DOWN. With virtually all fans,
this is counter clockwise. This will provide a breeze and make the room feel about 5 degrees cooler. It
will also keep the air circulating and minimize “hot spots” in the room. Oh, and here’s the best part- using
ceiling fans can lower your utility bills from 10 to 40%!
In the winter, the fan should draw the air UP, or clockwise. Blowing up, on a lower setting, the fan moves
the warmer air in the room up and out, to come back down along the walls and windows. This action
makes the floor (and footsies) warmer. This setting also makes the house temperatures more
consistent, but you don’t feel a draft from the fan.
If your fan has a switch on the side of the motor housing that moves p and down, simply push it in the
direction you want the air to go. If the switch moves sideways, push it in the direction of the lower edge
of the blades to move air up for heating season. Push it toward the upper edge of the blades to move
the air down for cooling season.
Other fan tips:
- Fans should be installed about 8’-9’ from the floor and 10” from the ceiling, when possible.
- Size matters! A 36” fan is sufficient for a 10’x10’ room. The bigger the room, the bigger the fan!
- Ceiling fans require a special reinforced junction box in the ceiling. Newer homes generally have
them installed during construction, but when in doubt, consult an electrician.
- Keep the fan clean and maintained. At least twice a year, thoroughly clean and lubricate it, as per
the manufacturer’s instructions.