Ceiling fans can be an essential part of any home all year round, and simply changing the direction in the summer and winter can help you save money and keep your family comfortable. The easiest way to change the blade direction is to look for a switch on the motor housing, or on the fan remote if you have one. Typically, the switch is a toggle-switch that can be flipped to reverse the direction of the blades. In the summer, your ceiling fan should rotate in a counterclockwise direction to push down cool air. This creates a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler without lowering the actual temperature of the room.
In the winter, your ceiling fan should be set to rotate clockwise to draw cold air up towards the ceiling and displace warm air that has accumulated there, helping to keep the room warmer. By keeping the air moving, you can also raise your thermostat a few degrees and still feel comfortable, potentially saving you money on your energy bill.
To confirm that your ceiling fan is set to spin the right direction for summer, turn on your fan and stand directly underneath it. Then, look up at the blades. The ideal ceiling fan direction summer is a counterclockwise spin, which resembles the hands of a clock. If the blades move from the top left down to the right, then back up to the top, your fan is set for the summer.