Ceiling Fan Directions in Summer & Winter
Properly operated ceiling fans help make rooms more comfortable and energy efficient in the winter and summer. The fan moves the air around the room, redistributing any accumulations of cool air in the summer or warm air in the winter to improve the overall comfort of the room. In addition, the actual movement of the air feels comfortable on hot summer days. Setting the fan to turn in the right direction seasonally is a vital step in home comfort. Does this Spark an idea?
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Summer Setting
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During the summer, the ceiling fan forces air down on the occupied space. To achieve this cooling effect, you must set the fan so the blades rotate with the leading edge of each blade higher than the trailing edge. The speed of the fan regulates the amount of air the ceiling fan moves.
Winter Setting
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During the winter, the ceiling fan should force air upward. Set the fan so the blades rotate with the leading edge of the blade lower than the trailing edge. This pushes air up towards the ceiling, forcing the warm air along the ceiling towards the walls where it will circulate into the living space of the home to replace the air drawn up by the ceiling fan. This is a more subtle air movement that redistributes the warm air from the ceiling to the living space below without causing noticeable air motion or wind that would feel cool. You should typically operate the fan on its lowest speed during the winter.
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Cost Savings
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Air moved by a ceiling fan produces the same effect as the wind. Moving air feels cooler than motionless air due to the wind chill effect. This improves the comfort level of the room without increasing air conditioning costs. By moving warm air that naturally accumulates near the ceiling in the winter, the room will be more comfortable at a lower thermostat setting, thereby reducing heating costs.
Unattended Operation
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The air movement caused by the ceiling fan is only a comfort factor and doesn't actually change the temperature in the room. Running a ceiling fan in either direction in an unoccupied room is a waste of energy and generates no benefit. Turn off the fan when you leave the room.
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References
- Photo Credit ceiling fan image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
