How should the ceiling fan rotate during summer and winter? Is your ceiling fan on the proper setting? It could save you energy dollars if it rotates correctly.

Ceiling fans provide great air circulation and you can optimize these benefits by ensuring the rotation of the blades is correct for circulating warm air or a cooling breeze.

During the winter when you are using your heat, to help circulate warm air that is trapped on the ceiling, blades should turn ‘forward' in a clockwise motion. This movement will push up the air and pull the warm trapped air down the sides of the room improving heat distribution.

During hot summer weather when you are running the air, to help produce a comfortable breeze that cools the skin, blades should rotate in a ‘reverse' counter-clockwise motion. The air movement has the same comfortable effect as when you fan yourself with a magazine to get relief from hot, stifling air.

Ceiling fans in themselves do not heat or cool a room, but the air movement or circulation they effect by the correct blade rotation, can greatly improve the comfort of your living space. You can also save in energy costs when the ceiling fan is on the correct setting to support your cooling or heating efforts.

Find more information and useful tips about ceiling fans on the Energy Star website.