To improve the efficiency of your ceiling fan, replace its blades. A big space would benefit from using a long-bladed fan. Instead, pick fan blades that are between 48 and 60 inches in length. Bigger blades spin more air, allowing you to estimate the room's square footage based on how much air they move.
To get the most out of ceiling fan airflow, you'll want to make sure your ceiling fan is spinning counterclockwise in the summer. This creates a downdraft, which you feel as a cool breeze when you're sitting under the fan. Having the fan on high speed and spinning counterclockwise will give you the coolest breeze.
The ceiling fan should be placed near the center of the room. Most fans are reversible. The fan should be set to blow upward, if possible.
Blades that are misaligned
If the blades on your ceiling fan are misaligned, there can be a common issue where the fan won't be able to generate enough airflow to make a difference. They will be blowing air, but it might not be going in the right direction.
To improve ceiling fan airflow in the room, your fan must have excellent rotating speed along with air movement. The movement helps form a low-pressure area, and hence, air is drawn towards the ceiling. The air moves in the blade's direction and moves towards its edges.
'If you're looking for relief from the heat, it's best to put ice in front of a fan, not behind it,' he says. 'When this happens, the cold air from outside will enter through the open window, causing air pressure that pushes hot air out of your house naturally.
Another trick is for homes with multiple stories: face the window fan into the house on your lowest story to bring in the cooler air. The warmer portion of this air will naturally rise to the top floor, so place a window fan up there, too—on the other side of the home, facing out—to expel the heat.
Let the air in
Get hot air out and let cool air in by creating a crosswind. Keep your windows, doors and blinds shut during the day to avoid hot sun beating down into your house. Then, during the evening, open your windows and place one fan facing towards the window, so it pushes the heat out.
Use Ice for a DIY AC Unit
The fan blows air over the ice, melting it and creating a refreshingly cool mist as it evaporates the sweat from your skin. You can also freeze water bottles and place them in front of a fan to help circulate cooler air.
Keeping your fan spinning counterclockwise year-round in high-ceiling rooms ensures better air circulation, helping you stay comfortable and save on cooling costs in summer.
Dust and debris accumulation on fan blades can impede airflow and reduce efficiency. How to make a fan work better? Regularly clean your fan blades using a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dirt and dust. This will help your fan work more efficiently.
Use fans to improve air flow
Even without an open window, fans can improve air flow. Point fans away from people. Pointing fans toward people can blow contaminated air directly at them. Use ceiling fans to help improve air flow in the home whether or not windows are open.
Keep Doors Open to Promote Airflow
Keeping interior doors open helps air move through your home, especially when paired with fans or open windows. This promotes better air circulation and helps to reduce stuffy or stale air in your rooms.
Lay the cloth over the fan. As it blows the air out, it'll circulate through the cloth and the air will feel cooler. Make sure that the cloth cannot get caught on the fan in any way at all––if this is a possibility, don't use this method. Replace the cloth frequently, as they dry out.
You might think a taller fan or a fan on an elevated surface is your best bet to cool a room, as it attacks that higher-up hot air, but as Lasko points out, a fan situated lower to the ground can actually pick up the “refreshing chilliness” lingering down there and push it out.
The ceiling fan direction in summer should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft, which creates that direct, cooling breeze. Your fan direction in winter needs to be clockwise to create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room.
Large ceiling fans (56-72 inches)
These fans can move large amounts of air due to their large blade spans and powerful motors. For example, a 72-inch fan has a maximum speed of 9,000 to 11,000 CFM.
During summer months, your ceiling fan blades should be set to spin counterclockwise. When your ceiling fan spins quickly in this direction, it pushes air down and creates a cool breeze. This helps keep a room's temperature consistent throughout the day and reduces the need for an air conditioner to run constantly.
Implementing Cleaning and Lubrication
Dust and dirt buildup can cause your fan to slow down and wobble. Cleaning the blades, motor housing, and other parts of the fan can help reduce noise and improve its efficiency.
Using a counterclockwise ceiling fan direction can reduce your energy costs up to 30 percent. Most times you can change a ceiling fan's direction to counterclockwise by flipping a switch on its motor. Tip: Stand directly under the fan and look up. If the fan is moving counterclockwise, you'll feel a rush of air.