How to Use Ceiling Fans in the Winter

Ceiling fans are great for cooling your home during the summer months. But, did you know that ceiling fans can improve the warmth and comfort of your home during the winter month?

How Do Ceiling Fans Help in the Winter?

During the summer months, the cooling wind-chill effect from ceiling fans on your skin can make a room feel up to 4 degrees cooler. This is great for saving on air conditioning costs by turning the thermostat a few degrees higher. But you may not be aware that ceiling fans in winter can be used similarly to the way they are used in the summer. 

We all know that heat rises. This is because when you heat air, it expands, becomes less dense than the air around it, and floats upward. This is why in the winter months, the floors are freezing while the air near the ceiling and upper levels are warm. If you turn the ceiling fan blades in the clockwise direction, the fan will push cool air up and warm your home. 

How to Use a Ceiling Fan in the Winter

To turn the ceiling fan into heating mode, change the blades to move clockwise. Here's how the process works:

• As the blades move, they draw in air from around the room and push it up toward the ceiling.
• This displaces the warm air that rises and collects near the ceiling and pushes it down. 
• As the warm air from the ceiling moves back down to the ground, the entire room starts to feel warmer.
• This cycle of cold air moving up and warm air moving down makes the overall room and home feel warmer.

This process can help you save up to 10% on heating costs and reduce the cost of heating fuel. 

Save Even More Money By Servicing Your HVAC System

A well-maintained heating system burns oil more efficiently, uses less energy, and saves you money. Oil and electric heating systems should get checked up at least once a year. Properly serviced boilers and furnaces can save you up to 10% in heating costs, and increase the longevity of your system.