Being advised to turn a ceiling fan on within the winter season may not seem helpful. However, even in winter, ceiling fans are often used to help manage the indoor climate.
The direction in which the ceiling fans should rotate in the winter season is clockwise, and also the fan should run at the lowest speed. In addition, this pulls cool air up toward the ceiling, which then in turn displaces the warm air that rises & collects near the ceiling.
For high ceilings a ceiling fan that rotates in clockwise direction is particularly important in the winter season. Moreover, it simply moves the warmer air, which is trapped at the very top of the room down towards the floor. The gentle updraft pushes warm air, which naturally rises to the ceiling, down along the walls and back the ground. This makes a room feel warmer, which allows you to lower the thermostat temperature and reduce the utilization of heating devices. Homeowners who use ceiling fans during the winter can save about 15% on heating bills.
The low speed prevents any sort of drafty “wind chill” and keeps the airflow steady & consistent. When standing under the fan, you need to look up and double-check that the blades are rotating in a clockwise direction.
Reasons to Use Your Ceiling Fan in The Winter Season
- Redistribution of warm air makes a space feel warm and more comfy to you and your family.
- Save up to about 15% on heating costs.
- Reduce the price of heating fuel.
- Reduce clutter and electric hazards because of space heaters and heating blankets.
So, how exactly can you tell if your ceiling fan direction is set for winter?
You need to turn on the ceiling fan, stand directly under the fan blades and watch the blades as they rotate. The blades should move like a clock’s hand. Furthermore, it moves from the top to the right, then all the way down to the left, and back to the top at a low speed to pull cool air up.
Exception: If your ceiling fan is mounted on a two-story cathedral or a vaulted ceiling, the fan is simply too high to create a discernible wind chill, and thus, can stay in a counterclockwise setting all year round.