How to Set Ceiling Fan Direction for Winter

Most people think of ceiling fans as a way cool rooms during the hot summer season. However, ceiling fans can be just as useful during winter months. By changing the direction of your ceiling fan's rotation, you can direct the blades to force cooler air upward, towards the ceiling. This will displace the warm air that naturally rises, forcing it down into your living space. While the heating properties of a ceiling fan aren't likely to offset the need for a conventional heating system, it can reduce your dependence on heaters and lower your energy bill.

Things You'll Need

• Step stool, chair or ladder

Instructions

1. Turn off your ceiling fan. You can accomplish this by pulling the string located on the fan or by using a remote control device. You should also flip the fan's wall switch to the "off" position.

2. Wait for the ceiling fan's blades to stop turning. For safety's sake, you don't want to try reaching your hand towards the ceiling fan while it's still in operation.

3. Find a ladder, step stool or chair that you can use to stand on while you're changing the direction of your fan's blades. Make sure to use something that's structurally sound and safe. Whatever you use, make sure that it's tall enough for you to see the ceiling fan's body completely.

4. Search the ceiling fan's cylindrical body for a small toggle switch. On most brands of ceiling fans, this switch will be no more than 1 to 2 inches long and will be vertically oriented. Most toggle switches are made from black plastic, making them easy to locate against a ceiling fan's lightly colored body.

5. Set the ceiling fan's toggle switch in the opposite direction. It should click firmly into place.

6. Dismount your step stool. Move it aside so that you have enough space to stand directly beneath your fan.

7. Turn on your ceiling fan again. Pull the string and flip the wall switch.

8. Pay attention to the direction in which the fan blades begin to spin. During winter months, the fan blades should turn in a clockwise direction.

9. Double-check your results by testing for a breeze. Once your fan is set correctly for winter, you should not be able to feel a breeze from directly beneath the fan.

Tips & Warnings

• During winter months, it's best to set your fan on a low speed setting. It doesn't take a lot of force to displace the warm air that collects around your ceiling. By running your fan at too high a speed, you might actually create a chilling breeze in your room.