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sacramento · Oct 3, 2008, 08:44 PM

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

KISS · 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.

smearcase · Oct 4, 2008, 08:24 AM

Here is a good visual aid also:
What direction should my Ceiling Fan go in the winter?

ceilingfanrepair · 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.

mygirlsdad77 · 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.

ceilingfanrepair · 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.

mygirlsdad77 · 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.

ceilingfanrepair · Oct 6, 2008, 05:25 PM

They probably clicked the wrong button. It happens.

mygirlsdad77 · Oct 6, 2008, 05:36 PM

Thank you ceilingfanrepair

sacramento · 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!

mygirlsdad77 · 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.

MarkwithaK · 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.

mygirlsdad77 · Oct 7, 2008, 05:38 PM

Well said mark

ceilingfanrepair · 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.

MarkwithaK · 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.

ceilingfanrepair · 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.

MarkwithaK · 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.

ceilingfanrepair · 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.

sacramento · Oct 8, 2008, 06:43 AM

Thank you all! I guess my "umb" question generated a lot more interest than I thought it would!!

mygirlsdad77 · 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.