In What Direction Should I Operate My Ceiling Fans During Summer & Winter?

Summer

• Run your ceiling fans so they blow downward during hot weather. This means that the blades should be turning counterclockwise as you are looking up at them from below. Most ceiling fans have a switch on the side of the hub that will reverse the direction of the blades. Running the fan so that it blows down will create a direct air flow through the room, and this moving air will make you feel cooler and reduce uncomfortable humidity in the room.

Winter

• Run your ceiling fans on low so they blow up toward the ceiling during the winter. The blades should be turning clockwise when you look up at them. Running the ceiling fan so that it blows up will force warmer air at the ceiling down the walls. This will cause the warm air to mingle with the colder air that gathers near the floor and make the entire room feel warmer.

Windows

• During hot weather, run the ceiling fan with the windows open at night to dissipate the heat and humidity of the day. In extremely hot and humid weather, your house will sometimes stay cooler if you keep your windows closed during the day and open them only at night.

Doors

• Keep interior doors open or closed in winter or summer, depending on the effect you are trying to achieve. If you spend most of the day in one room during winter, run the ceiling fan on low to circulate the air, and close the doors that lead to the rest of the house. This will evenly distribute warmth in the room where you spend your time without requiring expensive fuel to heat the rest of the house. In the summer, it's best to keep interior doors open to improve air flow.