Even though you are going to need some sort of real heating system to stay warm in the winter, we want to let people know about some ways to improve their comfort, and save money in the process. Your ceiling fan is one of those ways. 

Here’s how you can make the most out of your ceiling fan during the colder months. If you are having trouble with your heating system, give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or contact us online! 

Can Your Ceiling Fan Be Used To Warm Your Home?

The short answer is yes! While ceiling fans don’t generate heat, they are fantastic at distributing the warm air that rises toward the ceiling. In the winter, a ceiling fan can work alongside your heating system by circulating the warm air trapped near the ceiling and pushing it back down into the living space. This helps create a more consistent and comfortable temperature in the room, instead of having uneven temperatures in your home. 

The key is knowing how to adjust the fan settings for winter operation. It’s pretty easy, and usually just requires you to flip a small switch that changes the direction of your fan. This button, or switch, is normally located on the base of your fan.

Which Way Should Your Ceiling Fan Spin During The Winter?

One thing you should remember is that the direction of our ceiling fan should be different in the winter and the summer. During the summer, your ceiling fans should be set to spin counterclockwise in order to create a breeze that cools the room. During the winter, you’ll want to switch the fan’s direction to clockwise.

When spinning clockwise at a low speed, the fan pulls cool air up while pushing warm air down along the walls, redistributing it throughout the room. Make sure that the fan is running at a low speed though, or it could start to cause a cool breeze. This helps maintain a balanced temperature, making your heating system more efficient.

Most modern ceiling fans have a switch on the motor housing to change the rotation. It’s simple to flip and change the fan’s direction. Just grab a ladder or something reliable to stand on, and flip the switch! 

Ceiling Fans Can Help Save Energy

Using a ceiling fan in the winter is not just about comfort—it can also help you save energy. This is also true for the summer, but we will focus on winter for now. By circulating warm air more efficiently, a ceiling fan can help reduce the amount of heating your HVAC system needs to provide. If the warm air is in the places it needs to be, and the thermostat can read this, it’s going to reduce the job your heater has to do. Not only is this better for your HVAC system’s functionality, but lower energy use results in lower energy bills! 

According to energy experts, properly using a ceiling fan in winter can help you save up to 15% on heating costs. This can vary from home to home, but the point is simply you can improve comfort, and save money if you use your ceiling fan properly. When you consider most people have ceiling fans, but don’t use them, it’s like ignoring a free upgrade that’s already in your home! 

Read More: What Is The Ideal Thermostat Setting For Your Home?

Why Your Fan Shouldn’t Be Running Too Fast

We’ve briefly mentioned this already, but you should make sure to not have your ceiling fan going too fast. Your fan should be running at a low speed. If it’s spinning too fast, it may create a draft that feels more like a cool breeze, which defeats the purpose of using it to circulate warm air.

Use a low setting to get started. By keeping the fan at a low setting, the warm air will move gently throughout the room without causing discomfort. This should make you feel more comfortable, and help you save energy as we mentioned! 

Is Your Heating System Working Properly?

As great as using the ceiling fan is to reduce energy use and improve home comfort, it’s not going to matter much if your heating system isn’t working properly. John Cipollone Inc. has been repairing, servicing, and installing heating systems in Havertown, and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County for over 60 years. 

Whether you have a gas or oil furnace, or maybe an electric heat pump, we can make sure your system is in good working condition, and ready to keep you warm this winter. Give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or contact us online. One of the heating experts at John Cipollone Inc. will be happy to help!