{"id":8735,"date":"2023-11-11T04:27:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T21:27:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8735"},"modified":"2023-11-11T04:27:36","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T21:27:36","slug":"why-to-change-your-ceiling-fan-direction-for-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8735","title":{"rendered":"Why To Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction for Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">I<\/span>t\u2019s officially that time of year: Mariah Carey has defrosted and is once again ready to tell us what she wants for the holiday season, and you\u2019re likely trying to shake off the cold, too, without necessarily cranking up the heat and dialing up your energy bill in the process. Adding on layers of sweaters or wrapping yourself up in a blanket can certainly help. But if you\u2019re still feeling that chill in your bones, there are also some changes you can make around your home to keep your space feeling cozy\u2014like switching the direction of your ceiling fan for winter, if you have one.<\/p>\n<div class=\"\">\n<hr\/>\n<div class=\"experts-in-article noskim py-[24px] px-[40px]\">\n<p>Experts In This Article<\/p>\n<ul class=\"!ml-[18px]\">\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/courtney-moriarta\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/courtney-moriarta\/\">Courtney Moriarta<\/a>, director of single family residential at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyserda.ny.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.nyserda.ny.gov\/\">NYSERDA<\/a>) <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tommoor\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tommoor\/\">Tom Moor<\/a>, HVAC specialist for HVAC.com <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<hr\/><\/div>\n<p>For the uninitiated, yes, the direction of your ceiling fan can be changed, and which way it\u2019s spinning <em>does<\/em> make a difference in how cool or warm the room will feel. You might not think to run a ceiling fan at all in the winter, since fans are most traditionally used for cooling purposes, but in fact, switching the direction of your ceiling fan in the winter so that it\u2019s running clockwise and setting it at a low speed can better circulate warm air in the room, according to energy efficiency and HVAC specialists. And as the fan shuttles warm air down from the space near the ceiling, you may be able to lower your thermostat, too, which can reduce your energy footprint and save you money.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/ceiling-fan-direction-winter\/\" current-title=\"Here\u2019s Why You Should Be Reversing Your Ceiling Fan\u2019s Direction for Winter\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/xavierarnau-2-425x285_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-05-10\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/ceiling-fan-direction-winter\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/ceiling-fan-direction-winter\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/ceiling-fan-direction-winter\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Below, learn how and when to switch the direction of your ceiling fan for winter (and when to switch it back for summer) and why this trick is surprisingly effective for keeping your space more comfortable, plus other energy efficient tips for warming your home this winter.<\/p>\n<h2>Which direction should your ceiling fan spin in the winter?<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever lived on the top floor of a building during the dog days of summer, you already know that heat rises. Changing your ceiling fan direction for winter capitalizes on this law of thermodynamics by making it work in your favor. \u201cWhen you switch a ceiling fan to spin clockwise at a low speed, it helps bring down that nice, toasty air that naturally goes up to the ceiling,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tommoor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tommoor\/\">Tom Moor<\/a>, HVAC specialist for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hvac.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.hvac.com\/\">HVAC.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWhen you switch a ceiling fan to spin clockwise at a low speed, it helps bring down that nice, toasty air that naturally goes up to the ceiling.\u201d \u2014Tom Moor, HVAC specialist for HVAC.com<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Still hesitant to use a ceiling fan at all during the winter? Moor emphasizes that when done correctly\u2014again, clockwise at a low speed\u2014using your ceiling fan in the winter \u201cis like a secret weapon for a cozier home.\u201d It essentially keeps warm air from collecting at the top of a room and brings it down where you\u2019ll be better able to feel it; this way, you can also turn down your thermostat a few degrees and ultimately conserve energy. (The key is just to make sure the fan is set at a low speed in order to reverse the direction of airflow without actually making the air feel cooler.)<\/p>\n<h2>Which direction should your ceiling fan spin in the summer and in-between months?<\/h2>\n<p>The direction of your ceiling fan can have just as big of an effect on how well it cools a space in the summer (and the in-between months of spring and fall) as it can on how efficiently it warms a space in the winter. To optimize your fan\u2019s direction for keeping things cool, you\u2019ll want to do the exact opposite of what you\u2019d do in the winter, and set it to spin counterclockwise at a high speed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen your fan is moving counterclockwise in the summer, it creates a cool breeze effect by blowing air downward, making you feel cooler without [having to] touch the thermostat,\u201d says Moor. This is one of the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/energy-efficient-ways-to-cool-your-home\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/energy-efficient-ways-to-cool-your-home\/\">energy efficient ways to cool your home<\/a> and is an especially great trick for anyone who doesn&#8217;t have air conditioning (or doesn\u2019t feel like blasting it on a warm spring or early fall day but still wants to feel cooler). Not to mention, cooling your space without cranking the A.C. (if you have it) can keep the air from becoming extra-dry and improve your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/summer-indoor-air-quality\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/summer-indoor-air-quality\/\">summer indoor air quality<\/a> as a result.<\/p>\n<h2>When to change the direction of your ceiling fan for winter and for summer<\/h2>\n<p>Figuring out when to make the switch will depend on the weather in your region, which can certainly be sporadic in some areas during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.<\/p>\n<p>Moor advises popping open your favorite weather app and taking a look at the 10-day forecast where you live as cool weather is approaching in the fall and as warm weather is coming in the spring. Once you see temperatures starting to dip over a period of time in the fall, it\u2019s a good idea to change your fan(s) to clockwise. And using the opposite logic for summer, if you see a 10-day forecast predicting consistent warm weather in the spring, it\u2019s a good idea to set your fan(s) to spin counterclockwise in order to keep your home on the cool side without adjusting the thermostat (if you have one), says Moor.<\/p>\n<p>To ensure you don\u2019t forget, you can also use daylight saving time as a reminder: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/daylight-saving-end-effect-your-sign\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/daylight-saving-end-effect-your-sign\/\">When we \u201cfall back,\u201d which we just did on November 5<\/a>, change your fan(s) to clockwise, and when we \u201cspring forward,\u201d switch them to counterclockwise.<\/p>\n<p>You can absolutely change a fan\u2019s direction on a daily basis, too, if your home seems to fluctuate between feeling drafty and overly warm in the shoulder seasons, but it\u2019s likely more convenient to change it once in the fall ahead of cold weather and once in the spring ahead of warm weather, says Moor, in order to keep your space comfortable and your home as energy efficient as possible.<\/p>\n<h2>How to change the direction of your ceiling fan<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to make the switch and doesn\u2019t require any handy skills whatsoever (well, maybe standing on a ladder if you have high ceilings). Just make sure your fan is completely still before you get started.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly all ceiling fans with a pull chain have a switch on the base of the motor, which you can find by looking at the central body of the fan. If it has a light fixture, you may need to remove it (or the glass covering surrounding it) to find the fan switch. Then, just toggle the switch by sliding it toward the opposite side in order to switch the fan\u2019s direction, replace any light fixture or glass you had to remove to access the switch, and turn the fan back on, explains Moor.<\/p>\n<p>If you control your fan with a remote or with an app on a smart device, you may be able to change the direction of the fan even more easily by clicking a particular button on the remote or within the app (no ladder required). For specific instructions in this case, refer to the directions that came with your fan.<\/p>\n<h2>3 tips to keep your space comfortable and reduce energy usage this winter if you don\u2019t have a ceiling fan<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Cover up every drafty spot<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re an apartment dweller with no access to ceiling fans and little control over the heating in your building, or you just want to make your pad as cozy as it can possibly be, grab some <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDECOREALM-Decorative-Cylinder-Insulation-Stripping%2Fdp%2FB07TD33XHX%2F%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx9825-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fceiling-fan-direction-winter%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fceiling-fan-direction-winter%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/DECOREALM-Decorative-Cylinder-Insulation-Stripping\/dp\/B07TD33XHX\/\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/DECOREALM-Decorative-Cylinder-Insulation-Stripping\/dp\/B07TD33XHX\/?tag=wgtrx9825-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fceiling-fan-direction-winter%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\">draft stoppers<\/a> to place at the base of doors and windows so as not to let in chilly outside air from any crevice, suggests Moor.<\/p>\n<p>Sealing up the drafts can reduce your energy usage and save you money on your heating bill, too, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/courtney-moriarta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/courtney-moriarta\/\">Courtney Moriarta<\/a>, director of single family residential at New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyserda.ny.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.nyserda.ny.gov\/\">NYSERDA<\/a>). One quick trick that won\u2019t cost you anything is making sure all windows are fully closed and locked as soon as you turn on your heat for the season (or as soon as your landlord does so). \u201cLocking windows helps make a tight seal to reduce cold drafts from coming in and heat escaping out,\u201d says Moriarta.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Make savvy use of a portable fan<\/h3>\n<p>No ceiling fan installed? No problem. A <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000065DKJ%2Fref%3Dsspa_dk_detail_3%3Fth%3D1%26tag%3Dwgtrx9825-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fceiling-fan-direction-winter%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fceiling-fan-direction-winter%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B000065DKJ\/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?th=1\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B000065DKJ\/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?th=1&amp;tag=wgtrx9825-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fceiling-fan-direction-winter%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\">portable reversible fan<\/a> can do the trick. Place it on an elevated surface in your space and change the airflow mode to clockwise (typically the reverse setting) to coax warm air down, says Moor.<\/p>\n<p>If your apartment or condo feels more like a sauna in the winter (thanks to a radiator you can\u2019t adjust), you can also make use of a portable fan to cool your space. \u201cCrack a window just a bit to balance things out, and position your portable or box fan on low right in that area to get the air flowing like a gentle breeze,\u201d says Moor.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Use your window shades wisely<\/h3>\n<p>When you notice any little bit of sunshine this time of year, take advantage of it. Open up your window shades and blinds during the day to let the room absorb both daylight and heat from the sun, suggests Moriarta. Then, be sure to close them as soon as it gets dark so that things don\u2019t get drafty, and you don\u2019t have heat loss through the dark windows, she adds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimers__after_content mb-[18px] mt-[16px] pt-[16px]\">\n<div class=\"outline-earmark relative mt-[8px] pt-[10px] pl-[20px]\">\n<p>\n            Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s officially that time of year: Mariah Carey has defrosted and is once again ready to tell us what she wants for the holiday season, and you\u2019re likely trying to shake off the cold, too, without necessarily cranking up the heat and dialing up your energy bill in the process. Adding on layers of sweaters &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8736,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8736"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}