Most people install ceiling fans in their homes to stay cool during the hot months. When the temperature slides upward, artificial wind can offer sweet relief. Fans are also excellent alternatives to air conditioning, consuming less energy and cutting utility costs.

When it’s cold outside, most people don’t think twice about these fixtures. However, you could save money — and do good for the environment — by flipping the switch.

Discover three persuasive reasons to change the direction of your ceiling fans in winter.

1. You Can Warm Your Home

In the summer, your ceiling fans run in a counterclockwise motion, forcing fresh air downward. This breeze circulates through the house, providing a cooling effect. If you run your fans in winter without reversing them, you’ll contribute to the chill.

When you change the fan’s direction to clockwise, the blades push air upward, forcing warm air near the ceiling down to the floor. As a result, your home will feel a few degrees warmer.

To get the most out of your fans, hang them between 10 and 12 inches below the ceiling. If you have a vaulted design, the blades should rest roughly 8 to 9 feet above the ground.

2. You Can Aid the Environment

You can’t replace your furnace with fans. However, they can manage the temperature during the frigid months. As a bonus, it’s more eco-friendly to reverse the direction of your ceiling fans than to jack up the thermostat.

To maximize efficiency, look for fixtures with a blade angle of more than 12 degrees. Anything smaller is purely decorative, consuming energy without significantly moving the air. Blades at a 16-degree angle or above create a lot of motion, similar to a high-power box fan.

Opt for a fixture with an ENERGY STAR rating, which is 60% more efficient than standard fan and light units. Not only does the product use more effective motors, consuming less energy, but the sleek design also improves airflow.

3. You Can Save More Money

Do you dread seeing the heating bill each month when it’s cold? If so, you’re not alone. Fortunately, changing the direction of your fan can help reduce utility bills. Reverse the blades and turn the thermostat down by a degree or two to save money.

If you plan to install a ceiling fan before the frosty weather hits, save further by completing the setup yourself. The project will take a couple of hours and require a few tools — such as a power tester, pliers, wire strippers and screwdriver — but the reward is worth it.

When you work with electricity, it’s crucial to always turn the power off beforehand. To start, install the junction box, mount the ceiling fan bracket and assemble the downrod and blades. Once you hang the motor assembly, you can add the receiver module and connect the wires. Last but not least, affix the blades to the motor housing.

How to Change the Direction of Ceiling Fans This Winter

If you want to heat your home, save money and practice eco-friendly initiatives, you should change the direction of your ceiling fans. The process is straightforward and only takes a few seconds.

Look for the switch on the base of your fan’s motor. Once you flip it, the rotation of the blades will reverse, spinning clockwise. Unlike the summer months, you don’t want to create a stiff breeze. Instead, use the lowest setting to slowly recirculate the air. Don’t leave the fans running all day, either. Switch them off when you leave the room to save even more on energy bills.

Do you have ceiling fans in your home?

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About the Author

Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Guides for Brides, Hotel Online and more! Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!

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