Ceiling fan direction winter = clockwise (updraft)Ĭlockwise motion (abbreviated CW) proceeds in the same direction as a clock’s hands: from the top to the right, then down and then to the left, and back up to the top.Ceiling fan direction summer = counterclockwise (downdraft).During the fall and winter, your ceiling fan should be turning clockwise, as this allows the fan blades to bring cold air upward and displace warm air from the ceiling. Which way is hot or cold on a fan?ĭuring the spring and summer, your ceiling fan should turn counterclockwise so the fan blades push cold air downward, making your home feel cooler. When your ceiling fan spins quickly in this direction, it pushes air down and creates a cool breeze. Should my fan spin clockwise or counterclockwise in the summer?ĭuring summer months, your ceiling fan blades should be set to spin counterclockwise. It can make a room feel much cooler than the actual temperature setting, allowing you to turn up the thermostat to save energy without sacrificing comfort. That creates a mild breeze and a cooling wind-chill effect. What happens when a fan turns counter clockwise?Īs the blades turn counterclockwise, they blow air downward toward the middle of a room. The warmer it is, the higher the speed should be. “During the summer you want the fan to blow air straight down, so your ceiling fan needs to run in a counter clockwise direction as you look up at it. Should a fan run clockwise or counterclockwise?