Which Way Should Ceiling Fan Blades Turn in the Winter?

Easy Ways to Add Warmth to the Home

Crystal Ray, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jan 12, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

When many people think of ceiling fans they consider the cool breezes they generate during the warmer months of the year. However, a ceiling fan can be used all year long to generate warm or cool air throughout the home. During the cool months of winter it is important to turn the blades in a direction that will circulate warm air all through the room rather than create cool breezes that send shivers down the spine. Consider the following information on which way a ceiling fan should turn in the winter instead of guessing which way is best, and make the most of the heat generated throughout the home.

Precautionary Statement

Before changing the way a ceiling fan will turn, it is important to allow it to stop completely. Never use the hands or anything else to manually stop the blades. Also, to avoid damaging the working components, do not turn the switch while the blades are in motion.

The Blades Should Turn Clockwise on the Lowest Setting

Fans with reversible blades have a switch that changes the direction they turn, and when considering which way the ceiling fan should turn in the winter, check the position of the switch. This switch should be located on the area above the light assembly below the ceiling fan blades. A switch that moves either up or down should be in the upward position in the winter. This will turn the fan in a clockwise direction and pull the air upward. When the blades are moving this way, the warm air in the room will continually flow up and back down the walls instead of straight down and onto everyone in the room. Heat naturally rises, and this little trick will help prevent the warm air from collecting near the ceiling. On the contrary, the warm air will end up back down in the room where it belongs.

Some people think they should turn a ceiling fan on high to do the best job, even during the winter. During the months of winter when the home is being heated, this is not an ideal setting. Turn the ceiling fan on low while it is in the clockwise position during the winter. Moving the air too quickly will make it cold. Breezes should not be felt in the winter, and keeping the ceiling fan on low will maintain the warm air in the room and throughout the home.

Before Changing the Direction of the Blades

Fans of all types collect a lot of dust, and it is important to thoroughly clean the blades of a ceiling fan before changing the way it will turn. Otherwise, accumulated dust will end up flying off the fan and into the room.

Clean the edges and tops of the ceiling fan blades using a soft dry cloth. Dust the fan regularly to keep it clean, even when not planning to turn the direction of the ceiling fan in preparation for summer or winter.

Published by Crystal Ray - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle

Crystal Ray is an award-winning freelance writer and artist from the Chicago area. Her passion is interior design, but she also loves entertaining and crafting. She is continually developing unique and creat... View profile

Which Way Should Ceiling Fan Blades Turn in the Winter?

Easy Ways to Add Warmth to the Home

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