michelle kaufmann designs

Today is a brisk reminder that winter is coming here in the Bay Area. Walking the dogs this morning required a coat and a hat. Alas.

So it seems time to turn on the fans. I realize this can sound fairly counter-intuitive. We typically think of ceiling fans as something used when it is hot out. However, they can be quite useful in the cold months as well. First, you need to make sure your fan blades are on the winter settings (i.e. so they move air downward. Typically you want them set so they pull air up during the summer, helping the hot air to go up and out of the house).  With the blades set so they push the air down, the fans help to keep the heat from rising and push it back down to the the portion of the space that we inhabit.  In our Glidehouse we have radiant floors so the heat is coming from below the floors. However, since most home heat sources are typically from the floor or on a lower portion of the wall, this concept applies to most homes and heating systems. The setting should be on low, so it doesn’t create a draft on your body which could result in feeling cool.

By turning on the fans, it requires some energy, but less overall energy due to the result in less need for the heating system.