 |
|
|
 |
Junior Member
|
|
Oct 3, 2008, 08:44 PM
|
|
Don't know which way ceiling fan should be set!
I want to set my ceiling fans to save heat this winter but I really cannot figure out which way the blades should be turning! I feel very dumb asking for help but my late husband used to do these things and now I am on my own!:confused::o
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 3, 2008, 09:18 PM
|
|
Hot air rises, so you want to push the hot air at the ceiling down, so the direction switch should be toward the floor in the winter.
In the summer, the cooler air is at the floor and you want to pull it up, so the air flow is toward the ceiling. If a window is open it will also help draw air from outside.
But... fans cool by evaporating water from the skin, so a slower speed is more appropriate in the winter.
Aside: Do you have upper/lower return grills (air intakes) ? Somewhat rare.
|
|
 |
Ultra Member
|
|
Oct 4, 2008, 08:24 AM
|
|
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 6, 2008, 02:50 PM
|
|
ANY SPEED AND DIRECTION CAN BE EFFECTIVE IN THE WINTER so long as you don't feel a draft.
I disagree with some of the conventional wisdom on this issue. Check here:
Frequently asked ceiling fan questions - Ceiling Fans N More
It is interesting to note that commercial fans sold exclusively for heat recovery only operate in downdraft mode.
|
|
 |
Plumbing Expert
|
|
Oct 6, 2008, 03:35 PM
|
|
I would have to agree with all of these statements. There is a reason for a directional switch on the fan, but in my personal experience, the main factor is that you have circulation, whether it be up or down, and to set the speed so you don't feel an overwhelming draft. A draft of warm air may still feel cool.
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 6, 2008, 03:40 PM
|
|
It's really more of a gimmick than anything else, to sell fans in the winter. But it is useful in some cheaper fans that run faster on low speeds.
|
|
 |
Plumbing Expert
|
|
Oct 6, 2008, 04:48 PM
|
|
sacramento. If you liked my answer, why did you say you disagree. This is my first bad review. Did you mean you agree or disagree? People will now see this and think that I don't know what I am talking about. Please clarify.
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 6, 2008, 05:25 PM
|
|
They probably clicked the wrong button. It happens.
|
|
 |
Plumbing Expert
|
|
Oct 6, 2008, 05:36 PM
|
|
Thank you ceilingfanrepair
|
|
 |
Junior Member
|
|
Oct 6, 2008, 08:27 PM
|
|
I DID click the wrong button and for that I am heartily sorry! I certainly meant to agree with you but found that I had clicked the submit button too quickly and could not change it! Please accept my apology and thank you again for your original response to my dumb question!
|
|
 |
Plumbing Expert
|
|
Oct 7, 2008, 04:46 PM
|
|
 Originally Posted by sacramento
I DID click the wrong button and for that I am heartily sorry! I certainly meant to agree with you but found that I had clicked the submit button too quickly and could not change it! Please accept my apology and thank you again for your original response to my dumb question!
No hard feelings sacramento. Im just glad that you did like my answer. And it wasn't a dumb question. I have never heard a dumb question. Any question is proof that you are not afraid to learn.
|
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Oct 7, 2008, 05:12 PM
|
|
I'm going to throw my hat into the ring on this subject and offer up my opinion both personal and professional. Any air movement is good. What you are trying to prevent is stratification (warm ceilings, cold floors). You can do this by either leaving the blower motor on or using a ceiling fan.
As far as the direction of the fan, it really doesn't matter. Air flowing in either direction is eventually going to recirculate and balance out the ambient air temperature.
|
|
 |
Plumbing Expert
|
|
Oct 7, 2008, 05:38 PM
|
|
Well said mark
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 7, 2008, 08:06 PM
|
|
I agree but I don't think leaving the blower motor on does enough by itself. Some HVAC technicians recommend against it as well.
|
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Oct 7, 2008, 08:17 PM
|
|
 Originally Posted by ceilingfanrepair
I agree but I dont think leaving the blower motor on does enough by itself. Some HVAC technicians recommend against it as well.
Running the blower motor actually will recirculate the air in the house several times over. It should have been sized to provide a certain number of air exchanges.
I am an HVAC technician and I have yet to meet another one that recommends against running the blower to prevent stratification or recirculate the air.
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 7, 2008, 08:28 PM
|
|
I've been told not to, but it was in commercial settings. Maybe not true for residential.
And in my experience it depends on the placement of your vents. Some (older?) houses have them very impractically placed.
|
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Oct 7, 2008, 08:42 PM
|
|
About 80% of my work load is commercial. Some buildings run the fan's constantly while some don't. In either case it hasn't been an issue.
As far as vent placement, if the venting is incorrect then the system would have other problems. The airflow is going to be the same whether it is heating, cooling or just circulating.
I am not trying to openly argue with you or dismiss your opinions but you have to understand that this is what I tell my customers and I stand by that.
|
|
 |
Uber Member
|
|
Oct 7, 2008, 09:18 PM
|
|
I don't doubt your expertise. HVAC is not my area. All I can go on is my experience.
|
|
 |
Junior Member
|
|
Oct 8, 2008, 06:43 AM
|
|
Thank you all! I guess my "umb" question generated a lot more interest than I thought it would!!
|
|
 |
Plumbing Expert
|
|
Oct 8, 2008, 03:43 PM
|
|
Great to hear input from you guys. I also have seen (in large commercial buildings) where they recommend to keep blower on at all times. However in a residential home I believe that leaving the blower on auto is much more efficient. In my experience, the large commercial building that leave there blowers running continuously have motors burn out yearly(when there are multiple units and the filters are changed regularly at least one of the blower motors wear out).
But, back to sacramento. I would leave your thermostat fan switch set to auto and use your ceiling fan for added air circulation while you are home.
|
|
Question Tools |
Search this Question |
|
|
Add your answer here.
Check out some similar questions!
Ceiling Paint is peeling while painting ceiling.
[ 5 Answers ]
While painting the ceiling the wet paint is peeling the old paint in different areas of the ceiling... It has been raining a long period... Could that be it? This is only happening in the bathroom... It did not happen in the kitchen except under the newly installed light fixture... The living room...
Ceiling light on makes ceiling fan turn off
[ 6 Answers ]
I installed 2 ceiling fans yesterday in two separate and am having the same problem with both.
Before I removed the old fans I disconnected 1 wire at a time from the ceiling to see what stopped working. So I think one wire is the neutral and made both light and fan stop working, 1 wire was for...
Ceiling Fan-One switch, ceiling, 3 white, 3 black, red
[ 5 Answers ]
I have a ceiling fan I am replacing. There is one wall switch. In the ceiling there is 3 black wires connected together, 3 white together and a red. I didn't notice any other wires and evidently, wrongly assumed the red was a ground. I connected the fan black and blue to the ceiling black and...
Water mark with mold on ceiling of 1st floor ceiling
[ 4 Answers ]
Hello,
I've just noticed a fairly large water mark with mold in the center located on the ceiling of a downstairs closet - I believe the closet sits below an upstairs shower.
I'm a new home owner and would appreciate your advice on what sort of questions I need to ask a plumber to resolve...
Hanging ceiling fan from vaulted ceiling peak
[ 2 Answers ]
Want to install Hampton Bay's Berlini model 729395 on a cathedral ceiling with a single ridge beam. Want to hang fan from the peak and there's not enough room for the canopy to cover the hanger bracket. Is there any extenders for this?
View more questions
Search
|