DecoratingPhilly.com  

I treat most mechanical things this way: flip a switch, it starts running, I’m happy. Then I go about by business never giving the mechanical thing another thought. Well, today, I learned that sometimes you need to know what it really means when you flip a switch.

For example, the direction a ceiling fan should turn in wintertime vs. summertime actually makes a difference. Now, that cooler weather is here, I reversed the direction of my ceiling fan in my four season sunroom but it didn’t seem to help warm the room so I’m thinking, this is not a four season room after all. Actually, I was now on the path to running my fan in the wrong direction all winter long just like I had unknowingly done all summer. Except…

I called my trusted mechanical engineer who happens to be my wonderful dad and a real expert on quite a variety of topics. He set me straight as he has often had to do about mechanical things and I now understand how the direction of ceiling fans work in relation to warming or cooling. Of course, I am lamenting over my fan turning in the wrong direction all summer but what’s done is done. At least, I’m going in the right direction now for wintertime.

If you are mechanically challenged such as myself, here’s an easy tip to remember:

Most ceiling fans have a switch so you can change the direction of your fan from “warming” to “cooling”by running the fan either clockwise or counter-clockwise or forward and reverse as stated in some fan manuals. The tiny switch might be just above the fan blades (between the blades and the ceiling) on most ceiling fans; however, I have a fan where the switch is just below the fan blades, (between the fan and the floor). The direction the fan blows is fairly important because the fan will move air differently depending on the direction. It’s a simple thing to do once you know which direction to use because the switch is usually just a matter of flipping it up or down, which is where my area of expertise begins and ends by flipping a switch.

The way to tell which direction your fan is blowing is to turn it on low and see if the blades spin to the right or to the left. To the right, of course is clockwise and to the left, is counter-clockwise. Simple so far but which direction do you use to cool or warm? Here’s what my super-smart dad taught me this morning:

Fan blades spinning clockwise makes a room warmer because it creates a gentle updraft which pushes the warm air near the ceiling down along the walls and into the room. (Warm air rises to the top.) You should not feel much of a breeze from the fan when it’s running clockwise.

Fan blades spinning counter-clockwise makes a room cooler (CCC) by blowing air downward. You should feel a cool breeze coming down and around the room. (Cold air falls to the bottom.)

Today, I became a “C” student and that’s how I will remember how to set the correct direction for my ceiling fans when seasons change: CCC = Counter-Clockwise = Cooler.

Donna Yates, Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker High Country Realty. Residential specialist serving the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains. Please visit: http://www.move2northgeorgia.net

As summer ends and the weather cools, those living in coastal areas may look forward to the beginning of the school year, and perhaps reclaiming their city from the influx of tourists that crowded the beaches and malls. Yet, once these visitors are back in their minivans and campers, locals have truly unwelcome guests to face: hurricanes and tropical storms. The damage rough weather can inflict on your home and HVAC system can cause headaches in the aftermath, so it’s important to make sure everything is protected.

Seasoned coastal residents already know the drill when a hurricane warning is in effect: bring in the plants and patio chairs, and turn over outdoor tables if you’re unable to fit them in the garage. You know, too, to tape and/or board up your windows where possible, but you’ve probably wondered how to handle your heating and air conditioning in bad weather. You can’t move your outside system, but if you have a cover it’s best to make sure it’s tightly secured to protect your equipment from harsh rains.

Also, it’s best to simply shut everything down if you anticipate a power outage. This way, you reduce the risk of blowing out circuits and burning out the compressor when the electricity returns.

Once the storm is passed, check your outside equipment for any damage like dents or dings from fallen debris. If you feel there is something obstructing your system and preventing it from working properly, get a call into your HVAC repairman before you work your AC.

As you prepare your emergency hurricane kits, take care to watch your heating and cooling systems. If you’re close to the storm, don’t take chances and run any equipment that might burn out – you want your HVAC running long after the rains have stopped.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Newport News HVAC repair and Williamsburg HVAC repair.