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The right ceiling fan direction for winter is clockwise, on the lowest speed. That pulls air gently up toward the ceiling and pushes the warm air that collects up there back down along the walls, without blowing a cold breeze on you.
This guide explains why it works, how to tell which way your fan is spinning, how to flip the switch in 4 steps, and how to get the most out of your fan this winter.
WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE
The Quick Answer
- Ceiling fan direction for winter: clockwise, on low.
- Summer: counterclockwise, so air blows down on you.
- The switch is usually on the fan’s motor housing, just below the blades.
- Turn the fan off when you leave the room.
Why Clockwise Works in Winter
Warm air rises, so on a cold day the warmest air in your room is sitting up near the ceiling, where it does you no good. ENERGY STAR says that in winter, you should run your ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. It explains that this “produces a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space.” Source: ENERGY STAR — Ceiling Fans
The key word is gentle. That’s why the best ceiling fan direction for winter is clockwise on low: it moves the air without making a wind chill.
It matters most in rooms with high or vaulted ceilings, where a lot of warm air can collect overhead, and in rooms with a wood stove or fireplace that heats the top of the room first.
How to Tell Which Way Your Fan Is Turning
Turn the fan on and stand directly under it. Look up and watch one blade:
- If the blades move like the hands of a clock, from left to right across the top, the fan is turning clockwise. That’s the winter setting.
- If they move the other way, it’s turning counterclockwise. That’s the summer setting.
You can also feel it. Stand under the fan on a medium speed. If you feel a strong breeze blowing down on you, it’s on the summer setting. If you barely feel anything, it’s pulling air up, which is the right ceiling fan direction for winter.
How to Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction in 4 Steps
Step 1: Turn the fan off and let it stop
Turn the fan off and wait until the blades stop spinning completely. Flipping the direction switch while the fan is still turning is hard on the motor.
Step 2: Find the direction switch
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which works with the U.S. Department of Energy, notes that most home ceiling fans, and all ENERGY STAR fans, can reverse direction, and that the control is usually on the fan’s switch housing, just below the blades. It’s a small slide switch on the side of the motor. Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — Building America Solution Center: Ceiling Fans
Some newer fans don’t have a switch on the housing. Instead, there’s a button on the remote or the wall control, often marked with arrows. Check your fan’s manual if you can’t find it.
Step 3: Flip the switch from a stable step stool
Use a sturdy step stool instead of a chair, especially with high ceilings. Slide the switch to the other side. While you’re up there, wipe the dust off the top of the blades. It builds up over the summer, and the first time the fan spins the other way it can rain dust on the room.
Step 4: Turn it on low and check it
Turn the fan back on at the lowest speed. Stand under it and look up to make sure it’s turning clockwise, and that you can’t feel much of a breeze. If it’s still blowing down on you, the switch didn’t move all the way, or it was already set for winter and you just switched it to summer.
Get the Most Out of Your Fan This Winter
A ceiling fan doesn’t heat anything. It only moves warm air you’ve already paid for. A few habits make it worth it:
- Keep it on low. Higher speeds make a breeze, and a breeze feels cold in winter.
- Turn it off when you leave the room. ENERGY STAR says to turn the ceiling fan off when you leave. A fan doesn’t change the temperature of the room, so there’s no point running it in an empty one.
- Pair it with a thermostat setback. Moving warm air back down can help you stay comfortable at a lower setting. Our thermostat savings calculator shows how much turning it down at night can save.
- Seal the drafts. A fan can’t keep up with cold air pouring in around old windows. See our guide on how to seal windows and doors for winter.
If your fan doesn’t reverse at all, it’s likely an older model. Most newer fans can, so if you’re replacing one, look for a reversible ceiling fan with a remote, and look for the ENERGY STAR label if you want the most efficient one.
ENERGY STAR fans with lights are 60% more efficient than conventional fan and light units, according to ENERGY STAR. A smart thermostat can handle the setback part for you.
Setting your ceiling fan direction for winter is one of the free, five-minute jobs on our winter home maintenance checklist.
Using a space heater to warm one room? Our space heater cost calculator shows what it adds to your electric bill.
When to Switch It Back
Keep your ceiling fan direction for winter set until you start running the air conditioner in late spring, then switch it back to counterclockwise. In summer, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory says the fan should move air down toward the people in the room. That breeze lets you feel cooler, and PNNL notes that research has shown you can raise the thermostat as much as 4°F in warm weather with no noticeable reduction in comfort.
An easy way to remember it: change your fan direction when you change your clocks. Clockwise when the clocks fall back in fall, counterclockwise when they spring forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceiling Fan Direction for Winter
Should a ceiling fan turn clockwise or counterclockwise in winter?
Clockwise, on low speed, when you look up at it from below. That pulls air up and pushes warm air from the ceiling back down into the room.
Does running a ceiling fan in winter save money?
It can help, if you use it right. A fan on low uses very little power, and it moves warm air off the ceiling so you may be comfortable with the thermostat a little lower. Turn it off when you leave the room so you’re not paying to run it in an empty room.
Where is the reverse switch on a ceiling fan?
On most fans, it’s a small slide switch on the motor housing, just below the blades. On some newer fans, it’s a button on the remote or wall control.
What speed should a ceiling fan be on in winter?
The lowest speed. Higher speeds make a breeze, which feels colder in winter.
What if my ceiling fan doesn’t have a reverse switch?
Check the remote or wall control for a direction button first. If there’s no switch or button anywhere, your fan can’t reverse. In that case, it’s better to leave it off in winter.
When should I change my ceiling fan direction?
Switch it to clockwise when you turn on the heat in fall, and back to counterclockwise when you turn on the air conditioning in spring.