Reference
How often should you reverse a ceiling fan?
Reverse ceiling fan direction every 6 months, at each heating and cooling changeover. That is the interval the HomeAlmanac app schedules for this job, adjusted for the systems your home actually has.
- How often
- Every 6 months
- Time needed
- 10 min
- Best time
- Fall
- Priority
- Low
Why it matters
Running fans clockwise in winter pushes warm air down and can let you lower the thermostat a couple of degrees.
How to do it
Flip the small direction switch on the fan body: clockwise (downdraft off) for winter, counter-clockwise for summer. Dust the blades while you're up there.
When to do it
Best done in fall, and the app schedules it for that season automatically.
HomeAlmanac schedules this one for you, works out the next due date each time you mark it done, and reminds you before it is late.
Build your free planQuick answers
- How often should you reverse a ceiling fan?
- Reverse ceiling fan direction every 6 months, at each heating and cooling changeover.
- Why does it matter?
- Running fans clockwise in winter pushes warm air down and can let you lower the thermostat a couple of degrees.
- What time of year should I do it?
- Best done in fall. Doing it late is usually worse than doing it early.