#Ceiling fan clockwise how to#
#Ceiling fan clockwise pro#

Nearly every ceiling fan has a switch on the motor housing that changes the blades’ movement from counterclockwise (the standard setting) to clockwise, and vice versa.

#Ceiling fan clockwise how to#

Photo: How to Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction Blades set at a lower angle will slice the air without producing adequate air circulation, while those pitched too high meet too much resistance, potentially causing the motor to burn out. For blades to whip the air enough to get it circulating around the room, optimum pitch is between 12 and 14 degrees. Medium-sized rooms of between 144 and 225 square feet should do well with a fan blade span between 44 and 50 inches.īlade pitch refers to the angle at which the blade is set in relation to the fan, and it determines how well the blades will rotate. Generally speaking, the larger the blade span, the more efficient the fan will be. Blade Span and Pitchīlade span and pitch are both factors worth considering when it comes to ceiling fan efficiency. A very inefficient ceiling fan would have a CFM of about 75, while an efficient model will have a CFM in the 4,000 to 5,000 range, and the best CFM is 6,000 or more. The higher the CFM, the more energy efficient the fan will be. Airflow rating is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) per one watt (W) of electrical power while the fan is running at high speed. Photo: How Is Ceiling Fan Efficiency Measured?įor maximum savings from a ceiling fan, consider the unit’s efficiency rating, which is determined by how much airflow it creates compared to the amount of electrical energy it uses. For extra savings, run the fan at a lower speed in winter. Ceiling fan manufacturers claim that doing this consistently and correctly can reduce heating bills by up to 15 percent. This can allow you to turn the thermostats down a bit without feeling noticeably colder. Reversing fan direction in winter can also save energy because it will keep warm air, which naturally rises, down at the level where people gather.

In temperate climates, or during moderately warm weather, ceiling fans may allow you to avoid air conditioner use altogether. Department of Energy (DOE), if you use air conditioning during hot weather, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4☏ with no reduction in comfort. Operating a ceiling fan correctly can help lower your utility bill. Correct Ceiling Fan Direction Can Cut Energy Costs

#Ceiling fan clockwise pro#

Pro tip: There are ceiling fans with built-in space heaters on the market, and while they may not save you energy or money, they can solve the problem of a perennially cold room when central heat can’t effectively do the job. The fan moves the air to keep things cozy throughout your living space instead of letting cold pockets settle anywhere.Īgain, the temperature isn’t actually changing it just feels that way-so, as in the summer, turn the ceiling fan off when exiting the room. This pulls cold air up to the ceiling and more evenly distributes the warmth the room receives from your central heating system, space heater, or fireplace. A fan set to move clockwise (opposite the direction for summer) and run at low speed creates an updraft. It might seem counterintuitive to turn on a fan when you want to get warm, but in fact, a ceiling fan can help to maintain comfort during the winter. But to maximize their efficiency, make sure your blades hang 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling and somewhere between 7 and 9 feet from the floor. Pro tip: Ceiling fans are only considered safe in rooms with 8-foot ceilings or higher, for the safety of people walking around in the room. Of course, since the temperature in the room is not actually lowering, it’s best to turn off the ceiling fan when people and pets aren’t present to enjoy the benefit. This concept is known as the wind chill effect. Redistributing the air throughout a room in this way works because cooler air naturally pools near the floor while hot air rises the blades’ counterclockwise spin moves cooler air to a level where you can feel it on your skin. This produces a current that moves down and out, which then sends air back up along the walls. In warm weather, the blades of a ceiling fan should turn counterclockwise.

Here’s how their function in different seasons stacks up. Mounted in the center of a ceiling and capable of spinning at a variety of speeds, ceiling fans circulate the air and thereby affect how cool or warm a space feels, without actually changing the temperature. Read on for the fan direction 411, as well as important info on the span and pitch of fan blades, to maximize these popular devices all year long. The key to getting the most out of a ceiling fan is to change the direction of the blades’ spinning motion, reversing the air flow to suit your needs according to the season.