Do Ceiling Fans Work in the Winter?

Yes! Ceiling fans are great for the summer, keeping a room comfortable by spinning counterclockwise and creating a breeze. They don’t change the temperature of a room, but moving the air can help make a space feel more comfortable.

It may surprise you, but ceiling fans, such as Casablanca fans, work just as well in the winter as they do in the summer. Not only do they work well, but they can also save you energy and money during the cold months. The key is in reversing the spin direction of the blades.

To Warm a Room in Winter, Reverse the Ceiling Fan’s Spin Direction

Basic science tells us that warm air rises. You might notice that the upper levels and attic of your home are usually warmer than the lower levels. Warm air created by your heating system rises, displaced by cool air sinking to the floor.

Typically, in the summer, the ceiling fan pushes air down to create a breeze and prevent warm air from settling. By reversing the spin direction of the ceiling fan to clockwise in winter, cool air can be pulled up, displacing the warm air with an updraft. This helps redistribute warm air around the room and back toward you and your family.

Using Ceiling Fans in Winter Can Save Energy on Heating

Running a ceiling fan can be cheaper than running a furnace or air conditioner. By redistributing the warm air around the room, a ceiling fan can supplement your furnace by keeping a room heated evenly. You can then turn the thermostat down, saving energy and money by not running the furnace as much.

It’s best to use models with efficient airflow, such as windmill ceiling fans, to better redistribute the warm air in a room. Use a low setting to push the warm air around, and the gentle airflow of warm air circulating can make a big difference.

How to Reverse Your Ceiling Fan

Reversing the direction of the blades should be a simple, straightforward process. Turn the ceiling fan off completely and let the blades come to a full stop. Then, find the direction switch, usually located on the motor housing. You may need to search around or remove a few screws, depending on the model of your ceiling fan, to find the switch.

After flipping the switch, you can turn the ceiling fan back on and bask in the warm breeze. When you leave the room, turn it off, because it will not distribute the warm air to other rooms in the house and you need to be in the room to take advantage of the warm air circulating.

About LightsOnline

Since 2009, LightsOnline has been dedicated to helping people complete their dream home decor, illuminating rooms with an extensive selection of high-quality lighting solutions and ceiling fans. The trained experts at LightsOnline know that the wide variety of styles and options in the lighting world can be complex and confusing. They will work with you to find the perfect fixtures to suit any aesthetic or room at every price point. They offer some of the best ceiling fan brands in the industry, including Minka Aire fans and Savoy House. If you are building and lighting your dream home or upgrading your current ceiling fans, they have a solution for you. 

Browse LightsOnline’s selection of ceiling fans and premium lighting solutions at www.lightsonline.com