How to Save Money on Your Electricity Bill with This Hidden Ceiling Fan Setup

The summer heat has much of the world turning to air conditioning to help cool the scorching temperatures outside. But air conditioning doesn’t come cheap—overusing it can lead to sky-high energy bills. However, if you have ceiling fans in your home, changing the direction they spin can cool the air significantly.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, ceiling fans, when used correctly, can make you feel up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. That means you can raise your thermostat and lower your costs without sacrificing your comfort — all by simply adjusting the fans in your home.

When combined with the right size and placement of the fan, setting your ceiling fans to rotate properly can save you big on your energy bill each month. You’ll also be doing your part to protect our environment. Most importantly, you’ll stay cool — or warm, depending on the season.

To learn more about saving money on energy, learn how unplugging some appliances can save you $100s a year and how to set your thermostat most efficiently this summer.

How to Change the Direction of a Ceiling Fan

Changing the direction of a ceiling fan is easy. It is usually controlled by a slide switch that can be found on the fan motor housing. This switch allows you to change the fan’s direction of rotation from clockwise to counterclockwise and vice versa.

Before you make any changes, turn off your ceiling fan—you don’t want to hurt yourself or anyone else in your home. Look for a small slide switch on the side of the fan motor housing. It should be marked with something like “Forward/Reverse” or have arrows pointing in opposite directions.

To switch to counterclockwise rotation, slide the switch to the position Forward or counterclockwise. To rotate clockwise, move the same directional switch to Reverse or clockwise. The fan blades will begin to push air upwards to reintroduce warmer air.

If your ceiling fan doesn’t have a switch, you may have a remote that can change direction with the push of a button. Or if you have a smart fan, you can probably change direction with your voice or through an app. You may need to check your owner’s manual for further help.

In the summer, set your ceiling fan to the counterclockwise position

In the summer, your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise, which will blow cooler air straight into the room. Just make sure the fins on the fan blades are angled down to help push the air toward the floor. You should feel the air in the room start to get cooler.

In winter, please switch your ceiling fan back to clockwise speed.

During the winter months, the ceiling fan should be set to run clockwise. This will direct the airflow upwards, circulating hot air from the ceiling back into the room to help distribute the heat.

Other tips to get the most out of your ceiling fans

If you want to get even more out of your ceiling fans, make sure you choose the right type of fan. According to the Department of Energy, you should look for fans with the Energy Star label, as they are about 60% more efficient than conventional fans.

You also need to make sure the fan you use is the right size for your room. Larger rooms may require larger fans with a blade span of at least 52 inches or more, while smaller rooms can get by with fans with a blade span of 36 inches.

If changing the direction of the fan blades becomes a hassle, you can also consider installing a ceiling fan with a remote control or using a smart switch. This makes it easy to change the direction and speed of the fan without having to reach up, use a ladder, or search for a switch. The easier it is to change the rotation of the fan blades, the easier it is to stay cool or warm in uncomfortable temperatures.