Flip your Fan to Cool for the Best Results
Do you change the direction your ceiling fan spins from winter to summer? You should. To keep cool in the summer, your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise. The counterclockwise direction combined with the blade pitch on your fan creates a downdraft, which sends out that lovely cool breeze you feel.
For more of the science behind the ceiling fan we turned to the experts at the Hunter Fan Company, they’ve been in business since 1896!
Having your ceiling fan spinning in the right direction is important for your comfort and energy bill. Ceiling fans cause what the Hunter Fan Company engineers and technicians refer to as the “wind chill effect.” Basically, when the air hits your skin, it speeds up the evaporation of moisture on your skin and makes you feel cooler. It’s a lot like when you have an open window in a moving car.
Because the wind chill effect makes you feel cooler, using your fan while you’re in the room allows you to turn up the thermostat a couple of degrees. For example, if your thermostat is set to 26 degrees celsius, the fan can make you feel like it’s around 24 degrees. This means your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard, and better yet, you save money on your cooling costs.
How can you tell which direction your ceiling fan is spinning?
Stand underneath the fan and look up to watch the ceiling fan blades spin. If it’s in summer mode, the ceiling fan blades will be moving from right to left (counterclockwise). You’ll be able to feel the coolest, most direct airflow if it’s spinning this way.
How do you change the ceiling fan direction?
It’s easy whether you use the ceiling fan switch, push-button control on the fan remote, or use voice commands with your smart fans. Just check the owner’s manual for the proper way to make the switch for your fan.
Photo by Bersam on Unsplash
