Which direction should ceiling fans go in summer & winter?

Counter-clockwise (when looking up at the fan) pushes air down, generally use that in the summer. Clockwise pushes the air upwards (hitting the ceiling and circulating toward the walls), generally use that in the winter to circulate the warm air without blowing it directly on you.

An exception is, when used with air conditioning in a large room, you may want to use the clockwise setting to help move more of the cool air to the perimeter of the room.

-- so counter-clockwise gives perceived cooling (about 7 degrees) immediately under the fan; clockwise doesn't really give perceived cooling, but it does a better job of mixing the air in the room.

If the clockwise and counter-clockwise discussion is confusing, just turn on the fan and stand under it. If you feel the air hitting you, that's the summer setting.

Personally I think reversing a fan is overrated. I keep mine CCW, and adjust the speed according to the room temperature.

Frequently asked ceiling fan questions - Ceiling Fans N More

ceilingfanrepair: Well, I certainly respect your opinion given your substantial credentials. But, on this one -- I have a large home (4,600 sq ft) with 2 air conditioning systems and a total of 8 ceiling fans in rooms of different sizes and shapes in a warm to hot climate (San Diego). I've found what works best in each of the rooms -- postulating a theory based on air flow; then trying it and tweaking it.

What works best for us provided the background for my initial response to the post. In our small rooms, I don't bother to reverse the fan because it doesn't make much difference. In larger rooms, I see a big difference, doing the reversing as I described. I've also varied the size of the fans - 36" up to 54" depending on what I was trying to accomplish.

I'm definitely not a ceiling fan repair guy. Balancing one that gets out of sync is beyond my capabilities (I've proven that on 2 fans). But, I feel I've developed a reasonably good understanding of how to effectively use the fans, given that someone else has them in good working order.

Each room and fan will be subjective. My point is that there are ways to obtain pleasing results in any season without getting on a ladder, if necessary. Also note that commercial Heat Recovery fans usually only run one direction, in downdraft. Faster speeds for cooling, slower for HR.

I don't want to belabor the point - hadn't planned on replying any farther, but just have to reply to the ladder comment. -- and consider that you may be thinking mainly commercial which I know nothing about. I'm speaking strictly residential, and assume that the OP was (although I'll grant you, it isn't stated).

Anyway, the fans that we reverse are all on remote controls - reversing them is just a push of the button, no ladder required.

I am a little surprised that you would call it subjective. I guess what you are saying is that you think my mind was made up before I set the fans up and I see what I want to see (my individual bias). Given that, I will now drop out of the conversation.

Air circulation is key here, whether it be up or down. I personally like down draft, as the draft itself will feel cool(in the summer) and just a lower speed in the winter works great.

No, I was agreeing with you. Sounds like you take it on a fan/room by fan/room situation and that is ideal. Not everyone has that type of investment however.

Ceiling: OK, no problem. I guess you use the word "subjective" a little differently than I am used to.

I think back to the tests of high school-- you have the OBJECTIVE portion, multiple choice, where there were clear right and wrong answers, and the SUBJECTIVE portion, short answer, where it was more open to interpretation.

Edit:
Wiki answer was mostly wrong...
So here's a few words from our sponsors...

This is why I don't use Wiki. So much of that is WRONG.

Well if its wrong then send me a pm and give me some pointers...
I been going off this for awhile... lol

Here are two more accurate articles:

General ceiling fan troubleshooting and help FAQ- Ceiling Fans N More

Industrial & Commercial Ceiling Fans - Ceiling Fans N More