Have you considered the possibility that ceiling fans can be useful in the winter as well? It’s true! The quick flip of the switch, generally located on the motor's housing, reverses the direction of the fan blades, which makes all the difference in cooler weather.
With ceiling fan blades spinning clockwise instead of the standard counterclockwise direction, they create an updraft that disturbs the warm air settled near the ceiling. In this way, the fan sends warm air back down into the living space, helping to enhance heating and creating even room temperatures.
When using a ceiling fan to help cut heating costs in the winter, make sure you set the fan to run on its lowest setting, which ensures that the updraft doesn’t end up creating a cooling, breezy effect as it sends warmer air back down. Fans also consume the least amount of energy possible on the lowest setting. However, since ceiling fans only generally consume about the same amount of electricity needed to power a 100-watt light bulb, you could run your ceiling fan 24/7 at the cost of mere pennies per day.
You can save even more when you run ceiling fans by choosing Energy Star-qualified models. Any equipment with the Energy Star label is designed to provide you with the best performance at the lowest operational cost possible.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans are most effective in the winter when they are installed on vaulted ceilings or at the top of open stairwells. In these areas, fans will push warm air down toward the common living spaces.
To learn more about enhancing heating in your home this winter with ceiling fans, or for advice on other heating and cooling topics, please contact Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts.