Most of us know that ceiling fans can be used to supplement your air conditioning and keep you cool. However, what most of us don’t know is that it’s possible to change the direction of the fan blades, which in turn changes the airflow of a room.

Depending on the direction in which the blades are spinning, ceiling fans can be used for heating or cooling purposes. Sound strange? It’s true. The expert electricians at TFC Electric explain how it works:

Using a ceiling fan to keep cool

During the warmer months, set your ceiling fan to rotate counter-clockwise. This will push cool air down into the room and create a gentle breeze. This windchill effect doesn’t actually lower the temperature, but it helps cool us off by evaporating perspiration.

Using a ceiling fan to keep warm

As you may recall from science class, warm air rises. During the winter, heat generated from your furnace tends to collect near your ceiling. Setting your ceiling fan blades to rotate clockwise will pull air upwards, pushing this warm air back down into the room. Make sure your fan is running on a low speed, otherwise it can still create a windchill effect.

How do I change the direction of the blades?

Most ceiling fans have a small switch located on the base. Changing the direction of your fan blades is as simple as locating and flipping the switch. If you are having trouble finding the switch on your model, refer to your owner’s manual.

Don’t have a ceiling fan? Let the experts at TFC Electric install one for you. We offer professional ceiling fan installations and electrical repairs to homes and businesses across Suffolk County, Long Island. Contact us online to get started with a free estimate, or call (631) 589-2800.