Passive Cooling Techniques - Ceiling Fan Direction

Passive Cooling Techniques

When we talk about passive cooling techniques this is key: when outside temperatures are hotter than desired indoor temperatures, or when the room just feels too warm, switch your ceiling fan to push warm air down. 

Increasing the fan speed helps to create a "wind-chill" effect increasing perceived comfort.  This is a good alternative to turning on an air conditioner as it requires much less energy.

During the spring and summer, your ceiling fan should turn counterclockwise so the fan blades push cold air downward, making your home feel cooler.

In the winter, switch your ceiling fan to pull warm air up, circulating the warm air out and down the exterior walls creating a warm air barrier to the colder windows and doors. 

Exceptions to these recommendations are

• If you have a vaulted ceiling, keep the ceiling fan pushing the warm air down during the winter as the warm air will not circulate out and down the was as well.

• If you have a table directly below the ceiling fan, as you don't want to cool your dinner or scatter your newspaper.

Oh, and a disco ball is good in both warm and cold seasons!