You might think of running a fan as something to do in the summer to keep the breeze moving against your skin in the hopes of carrying some of your body heat away with it. But keeping the air moving in your home can be a huge help in winter, too, when you are running the heat.
We’ve got some useful pointers for you. We’ll explain what running a fan in the winter accomplishes and its benefits. We’ll tell you how to set your ceiling fan for the winter months, how to spot a problem with your ceiling fan, and what to do about it.
Convection
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has these two definitions for the word convection:
- One: The action or process of conveying.
- Two: Movement in a gas or liquid in which the warmer parts move up and the cooler parts move down.
This is how a hot air balloon works: hot air will always rise, and the balloon traps the hot air, pulling the basket up with it. That means that whatever heat is generated in your home thanks to your hardworking furnace or boiler, it will always move upward, conveying the heat with it. Maybe this would be perfect if you sat on your ceiling all day—but you don’t!
Circulation
In order to stop the heat from pooling where you need it least, what you want to achieve is circulation. That air needs to keep moving, so you can enjoy the heat.
Here’s where your ceiling fan comes in. Even at the lowest setting, a ceiling fan can provide the circulation you need to keep your house feeling warmer, even when the thermostat is set to the same temperature.
Direction
Ceiling fans have a small switch on the central portion below the fan blades. This will change which direction the fan spins. It’s recommended that during the winter, ceiling fans be set to turn clockwise. This will maximize the circulation and distribute the heat as evenly as possible.
Reduced Heating Use
Once your heat is evenly distributed instead of gathering up high where you can’t feel it, you’ll be able to turn your thermostat down a few degrees and feel every bit as cozy as you did before. Reduced heating use offers major benefits:
- Energy: When your heating system doesn’t run as often, you won’t use as much fuel or electricity, so your utility bills will be lower.
- Repairs: Less run time means less wear and tear, which means a lower likelihood of something in your heating system requiring repair.
- Lifespan: Your heating system will be able to run for more years if it runs for fewer hours each year!
Ceiling Fan Maintenance
If you notice any concerns with your ceiling fan, make an appointment to have it checked out in order to continue to get the benefits of using it. A wobbling or noisy fan, inconsistent fan speeds, or a fan that shuts off unexpectedly or won’t turn on properly is a fan that needs repair.
The person who is qualified to help you with your ceiling fan is an electrician. This is an electrical appliance that requires training and licensing to work on. When you need help with fan wiring in Skokie, IL, we’ve got you covered.
Contact ServiceMax with any questions about your ceiling fan.