Ceiling fans have long been used to improve the comfort factor in buildings and homes; whether you have air conditioning or not, you need to make sure that you use your ceiling fans in an effective, cost-efficient manner. Whether you pair your ceiling fan with air conditioning or you solely use fans to keep more comfortable during extreme weather, you’ve got to make sure you’re doing it correctly to make it count – and part of that is knowing in which direction your fan’s blades should be rotating.
Summer Ceiling Fan Rotation
In warm weather, you need to make sure that your ceiling fan blades turn in a counter-clockwise direction. Doing this will help to create a downdraft of air that will circulate and create a cooling breeze. Of course, the faster the fan blades rotate, the cooler you’ll feel. Keep in mind that the fan doesn’t do anything to actually cool the air; however, with air circulating, you will feel cooler and more comfortable.
Winter Ceiling Fan Rotation
Did you know the proper rotation of your ceiling fan can help warm your house when it is cold out? Just as your fan should turn counter-clockwise in the summer, you should flip the fan’s switch so that the blades turn clockwise any time you feel like the room needs some heat. Fans moving clockwise will create an updraft effect, and will pull warm air near the ceiling downwards, distributing it around the room. The fan speed is also opposite of what it is in the summer; during the winter months, you should keep the ceiling fan on the lowest and slowest setting – this is because it will effectively circulate the warm air and will also save you money and energy.
Maximum Energy Efficiency With Your Ceiling Fan
Many people are concerned about energy efficiency and the rising costs associated with effectively heating and cooling their homes and businesses. The use of a fan rotating at the proper speed and direction can help, even without the assistance of an air conditioner in the summer or the furnace during mild winter days.
However, keep this in mind: For maximum energy efficiency, you’ll want to turn your thermostat up a few degrees in the summer and down a few degrees in the winter. You won’t be sacrificing your comfort at all, and if you don’t adjust your thermostat accordingly, you’ll actually be using more energy than you would if you were running only your air conditioning (or furnace).
Contact A-1 Guaranteed today for more tips on how you can stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter without accruing enormous energy bills. With just a few simple little changes, you can save a lot of money without being uncomfortable through the seasons!
