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CEILING FANSWhat Direction Should My Ceiling Fan Spin?What direction should my ceiling fan spin?- Jill from Prescott Jill, most ceiling fans have a switch that lets you change the direction of the blades so they rotate clockwise (spinning to the right) or counter-clockwise (spinning to the left). Some fan manufacturers label this “forward” and “reverse.” The reason for two directions: On one setting, the blades force air down into the room, creating a cool breeze that blows against your skin and makes you feel cooler and more comfortable when it’s hot outside. Although the fan doesn’t actually cool the room, you can turn your thermostat up a little bit because you’ll feel cooler with the fan air blowing down. In reverse, the blades create a subtle updraft, which pushes the warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling back down into the room. Again, the fan does not actually warm up the room, but it can make it feel warmer so you’ll be comfortable enough to get by with a lower thermostat setting when the weather is chilly. The better way to determine which direction to set your fan blades is to turn the fan on and stand under it. If you feel a cool breeze on your skin, you’ve selected the “summer” setting. If you don’t, reverse the direction of the blades. When the season changes, flip the switch so the blades spin in the opposite direction. A caution: Turn the fan off before you flip the forward/reverse switch, which you will find right between the blades. Stand on something sturdy to help you reach the switch. |