description Ceiling Fans Overview
A ceiling fan is a motor-driven appliance suspended from a ceiling, with rotating blades that circulate air throughout a room. It cools occupants through increased air movement and evaporative heat loss rather than by lowering the room's temperature, so fans should generally be switched off when a room is unoccupied. Used alongside air conditioning, a ceiling fan can maintain comfort at a higher thermostat setting and may reduce cooling energy use.
help Ceiling Fans FAQ
Does a ceiling fan actually lower the room temperature?
No, the moving air mainly cools people by increasing evaporation and perceived airflow rather than lowering the room's air temperature. The US Department of Energy summarizes this as fans cooling people, not empty rooms.
Can a ceiling fan reduce air-conditioning use?
It can improve comfort at a higher thermostat setting because the moving air feels cooler on occupied skin. The Department of Energy says the effect may allow a thermostat increase of about 4 degrees Fahrenheit, but the fan should be turned off when nobody is in the room.
Which direction should ceiling fan blades turn in summer?
For summer cooling, set the fan to push air downward toward the occupants, which is commonly the counterclockwise direction when viewed from below. In winter, many fans reverse to circulate warm air that has collected near the ceiling.
What should I check before installing a ceiling fan?
The electrical ceiling box must be rated for fan support, not just for a lightweight light fixture. Also check the room size, ceiling height, downrod length, blade clearance, and whether the fan includes a wall control or remote.
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