First appearing in the United States during the mid-1800s, ceiling fans are a suitable way to keep cool during the hotter days. Whether using a fan manufactured of wood, metal or plastic, one of the first things to consider is which fan setting will keep you most cool.
Forward
Set the ceiling fan switch to forward. Most ceiling fans come with a switch that controls the direction of airflow, designated by a forward and reverse position. Setting your fan to forward forces air downward, which in turn cools your body via a wind-chill effect. Not unlike a gentle breeze on a hot day, this effect disperses heat released by the body.
Experiment
Experiment if your ceiling fan switch does not state which direction is forward and reverse. When the fan is in operation, stand beneath it. If you feel a gentle breeze, then the switch is in the forward position. If you feel no breeze than the switch is in the reverse position.
Visually inspect the direction the fan blades are moving if you have no switch. In most cases, ceiling fans will just have a small chain suspended along the side of the motor's housing. While the fan is in operation, look up. If the blades are moving counterclockwise, this generally means the fan is in the forward position.
No Laws
Keep in mind that there is no universal law for lamp settings, and that each manufacturer designs their fans as they see fit. As a result, some fans that spin in a counterclockwise position will be in a forward position while others, due to blade orientation, will be in a reverse position. The bottom line is to always double check by standing underneath the blades yourself.
Tags: forward position, reverse position, blades moving, ceiling fans, ceiling switch, forward reverse, gentle breeze