What Direction Should My Fan Be Spinning?

Most ceiling fans have a switch that lets you change the direction of the blades so they rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise (some fan manufacturers label this “forward” and “reverse” respectively).

The Reason For Two Directions

Counterclockwise | If ceiling fan is rotating counterclockwise, the blades will 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; what you are feeling is wind-chill. You can turn your thermostat up a little bit because you'll feel cooler sitting under the breeze of a fan.

Clockwise | In reverse (blades spinning clockwise), 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 doesn’t actually warm up the room, but it can make it feel warmer so you’ll be comfortable enough to get by with lower thermostat setting when the weather is chilly.

Not All Brands Are Alike

It used to be that every manufacturer would advise homeowners to set their fan blades to spin counter-clockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter. That’s often still true, but not for all brands.

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 chosen the “summer” setting. If you don’t feel a breeze, you are probably in the "winter" setting; reverse the direction of the blades as needed.

When the season changes, flip the switch so the blades spin in the opposite direction.

Safety First!

Caution | Turn the fan off and wait for the blades to come to a complete stop before you flip the forward/reverse switch. This switch is usually found right between the blades. Be sure to stand on something sturdy to help you reach it.

Home Maintenance To-Do: #CeilingFan

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