You have enjoyed the cool breezes from your house's ceiling fans all summer and now winter has arrived. You don't have to turn your ceiling fans off---you can still enjoy the circulation of air throughout your house. All that is needed is a change in the direction of the blades. In a few minutes, instead of cool air---warm air will be circulating throughout your home.
Changing the Forward/Reverse Setting
Most ceiling fans come with a "forward/reverse" switch located above the blades that control which direction the blades are turning. When the switch is set to "forward," the fan blows air down. When the switch is set to "reverse," the fan blows air up. So during the winter months, you should set the "forward/reverse" switch to "reverse," so any warm air on the ceiling will be forced down and throughout the room/house. Heat from the furnace or other heat sources rises to the ceiling and the ceiling fans in your house will help get that hot air moving.
High-Ceiling Houses
In houses with high ceilings you may not feel warm air being forced down from the ceiling fan. Still set your ceiling fans to the "reverse" setting. The fans will help keep the room/house from feeling stuffy.
Testing the Ceiling Fan
Your ceiling fan's "forward/reverse" setting may not be labeled. To test, turn off the ceiling fan and move the switch to the right or left and turn on the fan. Stand under the fan and see if you feel any air blowing down directly on you---if so, this is the "forward" setting. If you don't feel any air blowing directly on you, this is the "reverse" setting.
Tags: ceiling fans, reverse setting, your house, feel blowing, , forward reverse