Yes, rotating your ceiling fan appropriately for summer and winter time does help with home comfort by improving air circulation and making the temperature feel more comfortable in your living spaces. Here’s how it works for each season:

Summer Time (Cooling Effect)

Direction: During the summer months, your ceiling fan should rotate counterclockwise when viewed from below. This direction creates a downdraft, which produces a direct cooling effect by moving air around the room. It doesn’t lower the temperature but makes the room feel cooler by evaporating sweat on the skin more efficiently.
Effect: The counterclockwise motion helps to create a breeze that cools the skin. This can allow you to set your thermostat at a higher temperature without compromising on comfort, leading to energy savings.

Winter Time (Warming Effect)

Direction: In winter, you should change the rotation of your ceiling fan to clockwise (again, when viewed from below) and use it on a low speed. This direction creates an updraft, which helps to circulate warm air trapped near the ceiling (since warm air rises) down into the living space.
Effect: The gentle updraft pushes warm air, which naturally rises to the ceiling, down along the walls and back the floor. This makes the room feel warmer, allowing you to lower your thermostat setting and save on heating costs.

How to Change Fan Direction

Most ceiling fans have a switch on the motor housing that changes the blade direction. Simply flip this switch when the fan is off to change the rotation direction for summer or winter use.

By adjusting the direction of your ceiling fan’s rotation according to the season, you can enhance the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems, thereby improving home comfort and potentially reducing energy costs. Just remember to adjust the fan speed as well: high speed in summer for the cooling effect and low speed in winter to avoid creating a draft.

If you want to take the comfort of your home to the next level, contact us directly or call/text David at David & Goliath HVAC.

(704) 807-3939.