Which Way Should a Ceiling Fan Spin in Summer and Winter? Direction, Speed and Settings
The short answer, how to check yours, and the settings that actually save money.
By Mark Curant·Updated
Summer: counterclockwise
Looking up at the fan. Medium or high speed. Pushes air down so you feel a breeze.
Winter: clockwise
Low speed. Pulls air up and moves warm air from the ceiling down the walls, without a draft.
Fans and airflow: the series
- Ceiling fan vs. AC: how much a fan saves
- How much it costs to run a fan
- Ceiling fan buying guide
- Ceiling fan direction and settings (this page)
- Fans and airflow in your home
How to check which way your fan is spinning
Stand directly under the fan on medium or high. A steady breeze on your face means it's pushing air down: the summer setting. Little or no breeze means it's pulling air up: the winter setting. If you're not sure, turn it off, flip the direction, and compare.
Where the switch is
On most standard fans, a small slide switch sits on the motor housing just above the blades. Turn the fan off and let it stop completely before you flip it. DC-motor fans often have no switch: use the reverse button on the remote or the setting in the app.
Speed and settings that save money
- Raise the thermostat. With the fan on, the Department of Energy says you can set it about 4°F higher without feeling warmer. This is the whole point of the fan.
- Off when you leave. Fans cool people, not rooms; a fan in an empty room only costs money.
- Use the lowest speed that feels comfortable. Power drops sharply on lower speeds.
- Sleeping: a fan on low over the bed lets you set the thermostat higher overnight; a timer or schedule turns it off when you're up.
- Mild days: use the fan instead of the AC. Every hour the AC stays off saves far more than the fan costs. See ceiling fan vs. AC.
Does the winter setting really help?
Warm air rises, so in a heated room the ceiling can be noticeably warmer than where you sit, more so with high ceilings. Running the fan clockwise on low mixes that warm air back down without blowing a cold breeze on you. The effect is modest in a room with ordinary ceilings and biggest in rooms with high or vaulted ones.
Frequently asked questions
Which way should a ceiling fan turn in summer?
Counterclockwise, when you look up at it. The blades push air down, so you feel a breeze. Use a medium or high speed.
Which way should a ceiling fan turn in winter?
Clockwise, on low speed. The fan pulls air up and pushes the warm air that collects near the ceiling gently down the walls, without creating a chilly breeze.
How can I tell which way my ceiling fan is spinning?
Stand under it on a medium or high speed. If you feel a steady breeze, it's pushing air down (summer setting). If you feel little or nothing, it's pulling air up (winter setting). You can also watch the blades and see which way they pass overhead.
Where is the reverse switch on a ceiling fan?
On most standard fans it's a small slide switch on the motor housing, just above the blades. Turn the fan off and wait for it to stop before flipping it. Many DC-motor fans have no switch; the direction is a button on the remote or a setting in the app.
Should I leave my ceiling fan on all the time?
No. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave. When you're in the room, use the fan so you can set the thermostat about 4°F higher; that's where the saving comes from.
Does a ceiling fan help with the AC on?
Yes, if you raise the thermostat. With a fan on, the U.S. Department of Energy says you can set the thermostat about 4°F higher with no loss of comfort. Running fans without raising the setting only adds their cost.
Sources
- Direction for summer and winter, raising the thermostat about 4°F, turning fans off in empty rooms: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Fans for cooling.