I got involved in a discussion the other day about reversing the direction of the ceiling fans in the house as we move from the heating season to the air-conditioning season. To understand how to make this change correctly, it is helpful to know how this fan works. In the summer the fan is set to blow the room air down (counterclockwise rotation), washing over the people in the room. This moving air accelerates the evaporation of moisture from the skin thus cooling the people. This is the same principle as a hand held paper fan. It does not cool the room. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. If the room is unoccupied, turn off the ceiling fan to save energy.
In the winter the principle is quite different. The fan is set to blow upward (clockwise rotation), which moves the warm air that naturally accumulates at the top of the room across the ceiling away from the fan toward the walls. This warm air then flows down the walls toward the floor where it mixes with the cooler air that accumulates there. The result of this mixing of the air in the room is that the temperature of the air where people sit or stand is a few degrees warmer. This is best accomplished by running the fan at the low speed setting.
Balancing a Wobbly Fan
All fan blades should be balanced prior to shipment; however, if the fan is wobbly after installation, there are ways to fix it. First, make sure that all connections are properly aligned and tightly fastened. Check the alignment of the blades by holding a yardstick vertically along the edges; you may be able to gently bend a misaligned blade holder back into proper place. If all blades are aligned, a balancing kit can then be used to pinpoint the culprit. These kits are either provided within product packaging (e.g., balancing clips and blade weights) or can be sent by the manufacturer free of charge.
Using the Ceiling Fan Year Round
In the summer, use the ceiling fan in the counterclockwise direction. While standing directly under the ceiling fan you should feel a cool breeze. The airflow produced creates a wind-chill effect, making you “feel” cooler. In the winter, reverse the motor and operate the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan — additional energy and dollar savings could be realized with this simple step!
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com.
