Ceiling Fan Clockwise Vs. Counter Clockwise

Counterclockwise

• Run the ceiling fan counterclockwise on low during the summer to create a wind chill that will cool the skin. By using the fan to keep your skin cool, while the air conditioner removes the humidity from the air, you can raise the thermostat 2 degrees to save on energy costs. If you raise the thermostat from 78 F to 80 F, for example, you'll never know the difference with a ceiling fan running. You can also use a fan without the air conditioning to cool your skin when you're in the room.

Clockwise

• During the winter months, run the ceiling fan clockwise on low to force the warm air at the ceiling back down into the room. You then can lower your thermostat 2 degrees to reduce your heating costs. If you have an open stairway, using a ceiling fan at the top of the stairs to force the warm air back downstairs will also help keep heating costs down. As the warm air rises, the room temperature downstairs gets cooler, causing the furnace to turn on. Forcing some of the warm air back down keeps the room warmer, so the furnace doesn't turn on as often.

High Ceilings

• In rooms where the ceilings are higher than 8 feet, run the ceiling fans on medium or high in the summer so the breeze reaches you. During the winter, run the ceiling fan on medium to push the warm air downward so it reaches the living area, if the ceilings are higher than 8 feet.

Operating Cost

• Running a 100-watt ceiling fan 15 hours a day will cost about 10 cents per day, if you're paying 7 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). You can lower your thermostat 2 degrees during winter, and raise it 2 degrees in the summer, and save about 15 percent on your energy costs, according to Riviera Utilities. For instance, if your heating or cooling costs you $136 per month, turning down the thermostat in winter and up in summer may reduce that cost to about $115 per month. Running the ceiling fan, meanwhile, will only cost about $3 per month.