When you reverse your ceiling fans, you’re altering the airflow direction. In the summertime, you’re going to want to have the air pushed down from the ceiling because it will help cool you and the room—also, clean fan(s) to remove built-up dust. Read more about the ultimate energy-saving task!

This is a Health Task!

Prevents dust, dander, and animal hair from spreading throughout your house.

This is an Energy Efficiency Task!

These tasks greatly help you optimize the airflow throughout your home while the seasons change. This task will help with the energy bill and provide ultimate comfort levels for you and your family.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, Handyman, or Cleaning Company

Task Steps

Step 1 – Getting Prepared

• Be sure to locate all the ceiling fans in your home that you want to maintain.
• Determine the correct size of step ladder you’ll need to reach all the fans safely.
• Lay down a ground cloth/tarp that’ll catch any dust or debris that may fall during this task.
• You should also make sure that there aren’t any burnt-out light bulbs in any ceiling fan fixtures.  If so, you should replace them as well.
  • Tool List: Ladder – stepladder, Tarp/ground cloth
  • Supply List & Costs: Light bulb(s)

Step 2 – Reversing the Fans

• Turn on your fan & stand underneath, looking straight up. Take note of what direction it’s turning in.
• In the summertime, you always want your ceiling fan(s) to rotate counterclockwise. This allows the blades to push cold air down.  Whereas if your fan was rotating clockwise, the blades would be pulling the warm air up from the ground & dispersing it throughout your home.
• There are many different types of ceiling fans: some only have one switch that allows homeowners to switch the direction it turns. Then there are some with two switches that enable homeowners to control the fan speed as well. Even some that are remotely controlled. It all matters on what applies to you, but the main thing that needs to be done is changing the direction the fan turns.
• If your fan does have a remote control by any chance, it is an excellent time to check the batteries to see if they need replacement.
  • Tool List: Ladder – stepladder
  • Supply List & Costs: Replacement Batteries (If needed)

Step 3 – Clean and Test

• The last thing you need to do is turn the fan(s) off & clean them.
• Take a damp cloth or dusting wand and wipe each individual blade. Make sure to dust off the central unit as well.
• Use a compressed air can to blow the dust out of the nooks and crannies a cloth can’t reach. Be sure to get in the holes on the fan motor.
• You can vacuum afterward if needed, but usually, the tarp should be able to catch most of the dust particles falling from the ceiling.
  • Tool List: Dusting Wand, Vacuum
  • Supply List & Costs: Damp Cleaning Cloth

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Also, check out another interesting article- Inspect and Clean Your Fridge and Freezer!