Ceiling fans provide more than charming looks and a light breeze. They're also valuable tools for homeowners looking to stay comfortable and lower monthly utility bills. Even if you have an AC unit, changing your ceiling fan direction for summer is an easy way to keep cool and save money with a flip of a switch!

What Direction Should a Ceiling Fan Go in Summer? 

Switch the direction of your ceiling fan to spin counterclockwise once the weather warms up. The blades' angle pushes air back toward the floor, creating a cooling breeze that also prevents a pocket of warm air from gathering near the ceiling. This keeps warm and cool air moving and lowers the average air temperature in the room by a degree or two.

According to the Department of Energy, switching your ceiling fan to the summer direction can make the room feel up to 4 degrees cooler. Not only can you raise your thermostat settings a few degrees, but you might also be able to skip the AC altogether on mild days!

Think a few degrees won't add up? Changing your thermostat by 1 degree can impact your energy bill by about 3%!

Summer Fan Direction vs. Winter Fan Direction 

Changing fan direction seasonally can also carry those energy savings to the cooler months. In the winter months, turn your ceiling direction to clockwise (vs. counterclockwise in the summer). This will allow your ceiling fan blades to pull cool air settling near the floor up, pushing the warm air (that you paid to heat) down and circulating it through the room.

Related: What Is More Expensive: Heating or Cooling?

How to Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction 

Depending on the model and manufacturer, you can change your ceiling fan direction in one of two ways.

  1. From the wall panel. If your fan has a remote or wall panel, check to see if you can switch directions there first. Most will be labeled either "clockwise" or "counterclockwise," though some may use a graphic with arrows to indicate the directional setting.
  2. From the fan. Nearly every ceiling fan has a small switch on the fan body to control the spinning direction. Make sure you turn the fan off, then use a step ladder to access the fan's motor housing. The switch is usually a simple two-directional toggle. Contact the manufacturer or look online for model-specific schematics if you can't find it.
  3. From your phone. Smart ceiling fans can be controlled from your mobile device! You can set some smart ceiling fan models on seasonal schedules, or they can even work automatically with your home’s smart HVAC system. Your local One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning technician will help you find the right equipment to bring this technology home.

Should I Leave My Ceiling Fan on All the Time? 

No, and there's a good reason not to. Ceiling fans don't actually change the temperature of the room. The movement of air only changes how warm or cold occupants feel. Once you walk out of the room, leaving the fan is not beneficial; turn it off, along with the lights, to save energy.

Get Personalized Energy Efficiency Advice from the Pros 

Every home and family is different, but we're all looking to save money and lower energy use, right? Your local One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning can help you do that by identifying energy-saving solutions and keeping your HVAC system tuned and running smoothly all year long. Book online or call (800) 893-3523 today!