Did you know that your ceiling fan has two different directions? Did you also know that changing the direction of your fan could lower your energy bills? This simple step between seasons could do wonders for the climate of your home. Best of all, it’s free and easy! Check out this guide to learn how to reverse your ceiling fan direction.
How the Ceiling Fan Direction Impacts Your HVAC System
If your fan is moving clockwise, it is blowing air directly down. This is helpful in the summer because the fan pushes the air coming from the air conditioning. That is why fans are located under ceiling vents.
Reversing your fan direction will cause the blades to move counter-clockwise. This pushes hot air around the ceiling back down toward the ground. This is helpful in the winter because it distributes and circulates air from the furnace.
Having your fan blades moving the right direction will lower your energy bills and put less work on your HVAC system. This extends the life of your furnace and AC, just like changing your air filters helps your filtration system.
How to Reverse the Ceiling Fan Direction
To reverse the direction on your ceiling fan, Follow these steps:
- Turn off the fan. Wait for the blades to come to a full stop.
- Look for a switch on the motor housing (usually the area where light bulbs attach to the fan).
- Use a ladder or chair to reach the switch, and then flip it the opposite direction. The switch will either move horizontally or vertically.
- Turn the fan back on to confirm it has changed directions.
Important note about ceiling fan direction: To check if your fan blades are moving clockwise or counter clockwise, look up at the fan from underneath it. Move your hand in the direction of a clock. If you look at the fan from the side, it changes your perspective on the movement. This is a step that confuses most people, but it’s easy to double check.
When Should I Change My Ceiling Fan Direction?
Change your ceiling fan directions when you switch from AC to heat, or vice versa. When the spring months heat up and transition into summer, that’s when you will most likely use your air conditioning. At that time, make sure the ceiling fan is turning
For more tips on how to extend the life of your heating and air conditioning, contact Quality Comfort HVAC. We offer affordable HVAC maintenance plans for all brands. Contact us at (586) 778-8600 for a free estimate.