Why You Should Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction This Summer
As the temperatures rise, many of us start looking for ways to stay cool without cranking up the air conditioning—and the energy bills that come with it. One simple, often overlooked trick? Change the direction of your ceiling fan.
The Secret is in the Spin
Ceiling fans have a small switch on the motor housing that lets you reverse the direction the blades spin. In the summer, you want your fan to spin counterclockwise. This direction pushes air downward, creating a wind-chill effect that makes the room feel cooler, even if the actual temperature doesn’t change.
That breeze you feel from a counterclockwise-spinning fan helps evaporate sweat and cool your skin. This means you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and still feel just as comfortable.
How Much Can You Save?
While ceiling fans don’t actually lower the temperature in a room, they can make it feel up to 4 degrees cooler. That comfort boost means you could raise your thermostat from, say, 72°F to 76°F and still feel fine—potentially saving up to 3-5% on your cooling costs for every degree you raise the thermostat.
How to Tell If It’s Spinning the Right Way
Stand directly under your fan. If it’s set for summer, you should feel a breeze, and the blades should be spinning counterclockwise (left to right). If you don’t feel air movement or the blades are going clockwise, flip the switch on the fan’s motor housing (just make sure the fan is off first!).
What If It Still Feels Muggy?
Even after adjusting your ceiling fan and lowering the thermostat, your home may still feel sticky or muggy. That’s likely due to high humidity levels, which can make the air feel warmer and more uncomfortable than it actually is. Your AC does remove some humidity, but it may not be enough—especially in basements, older homes, or during very humid weather.
This is where a dehumidifier can make a big difference. By pulling excess moisture from the air, a dehumidifier can help your home feel cooler, reduce that clammy feeling, and even help your AC run more efficiently. Less humidity = more comfort and potentially lower energy use.
While ceiling fans are a great way to enhance comfort and improve airflow, they can only do so much if your home’s air conditioning isn’t keeping up. If you find that your home still isn’t reaching a comfortable temperature, it might be time to look at your AC system. Give Quality Comfort a call or book service online—we’ll evaluate your air conditioning and help you get back to feeling cool and comfortable again.
