You're Wasting Heat If Your Ceiling Fan Isn't Doing This During Fall And Winter)

The One Thing You Forgot During The Time Change

You probably remember to change your clocks twice a year for daylight saving time, but there’s something most people completely forget.

Your ceiling fan also needs a seasonal adjustment.

Knowing this trick can help make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, all while helping you save on energy bills.

What:

Most of us just leave our ceiling fans spinning the same way year-round, never realizing that the direction matters. Spinning clockwise or counterclockwise changes how the air circulates in your room, and that can have a surprisingly big impact on comfort and energy use.

How:

The shape and tilt of your fan blades are designed to move air in a specific way. When the blades spin clockwise. they gently pull cool air upward and push warm air back down. Spinning counterclockwise pushes air straight down, creating more of a breeze. The angle of the blades determines how effectively the air circulates, so even a small adjustment can make a noticeable difference.

Most ceiling fans have a small switch near the blades that changes their rotation direction.

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When:

Summer: Switch the fan to spin counterclockwise at a higher speed. This creates a cooling breeze that evaporates sweat and makes the room feel cooler.

The best time to flip the switch is right alongside your daylight saving time changes: clockwise in the fall and counterclockwise in the spring. Think of it as a seasonal fan reset.

Why:

A small adjustment like this can reduce the need to run your furnace or air conditioner as much. By circulating air efficiently, your heater doesn’t have to work overtime to keep your living room cozy, and your AC won’t have to blast as hard to cool you off in the summer. Over time, that can add up to noticeable savings on your energy bills and a home that just feels more comfortable.

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So the next time you change your clocks, don’t forget about your ceiling fan. One small switch, a little attention to rotation, and you could make your home cozier and your wallet happier.

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.