Ceiling Fans – Which Way to Go?

Most ceiling fans, except for some older models and some for open-spaces (patios, for instance) have a switch which allows you to change the direction in which the blades turn, moving air down or up.

It’s not so important to get into the science of all this (hot) air blowing around, but it could be very helpful for one to at least remember the direction of rotation can be changed.

Typically, ceiling fans (if looking up at one), move air downward if rotating counter-clockwise and upward if rotating clockwise. Is this a standard? I don’t know. This could be the opposite in Australia or Thailand. I don’t know.

If the leading edge (when moving) of the blade is higher than the back edge of the blade, then the fan will move air downward, and vice versa, moving it the other direction. Or, if the fan is low enough and fast enough, you can simply stand under it and see which switch position creates a breeze you can feel.

Most people have the fan blow air down during the summer and up during the winter, but many people forget to change the direction, always expecting a breeze and not using a ceiling fan during the cooler months.

Depending on the particular space (volume of room, distance of fan from ceiling, shape and height of ceiling, location of air conditioning vents, yada yada) a ceiling fan is in, using a ceiling fan during winter could possibly provide more comfort and energy cost savings.

But, we don’t need to over analyze this. Many people probably don’t begin to use their ceiling fans until late spring and fall. When we get to the definitive warm and cold months it is easier to make the decision to switch the direction of ceiling fans.

Simply consider the information above and see how comfortable you feel (breeze realized or not) and make the decision. Being that most thermostats are located at height of about five feet, if you are comfortable, so is it and it sees no need to have your a.c. system work any harder than it has to.

Just remember, that damn (ornamental) thingy doesn’t always have to be spinning the same way. Find that switch.