If you're like most Americans, you have at least one ceiling fan in your home. They’re decorative, help our rooms feel more comfortable and, if used properly, can lower energy costs.
Make the most of your ceiling fans with these tips.
Flip the switch. Most ceiling fans have a switch near the blades. In warm months, flip the switch so that the blades rotate counterclockwise, effectively producing a “wind chill” effect. Fans make the air feel cooler than it actually is. In winter, move the switch so the fan blades rotate clockwise, creating a gentle updraft. This pulls up cooler air and pushes warm
air down from the ceiling into occupied areas of the room. Regardless of the season, try operating the fan on its lowest setting.
Adjust your thermostat. In the summer, when using a fan in conjunction with an air conditioner, or instead of it, you can turn your thermostat up 3–5 degrees without any reduction in comfort. This saves money since a fan is less costly to run than the AC. In the winter, lower your thermostat by the same amount. Ceiling fans push the warm air from the ceiling back
down toward the living space, which means the furnace won’t turn on as frequently.
Choose the right size. Make sure your ceiling fan is the right size for the room. A fan 36–44 inches in diameter will cool rooms up to 225 square feet. A fan 52 inches or more should be used to cool a larger space.
Turn it off. When the room is unoccupied, turn the fan off. Fans cool people—not rooms.
Find more ways to save on our Saving Energy Page.