Keeping up with ceiling fan care keeps them an effective and efficient adjunct to your A/C. They may be slow and silent, but the average home ceiling fan moves over 4,000 cubic feet of air per minute. This gentle, continuous air circulation makes rooms feel cooler to human occupants without actually reducing the air temperature. That convenient fact allows you to raise the A/C thermostat setting several degrees and lower energy costs accordingly, without any loss of indoor comfort.
Ceiling fans are simple and reliable, so these units don’t require major maintenance. A few simple ceiling fan care suggestions help keep them an effective adjunct to your home cooling system.
Fan blades are a dust magnet.
Dust-coated blades reduce the fan’s air-moving efficiency. Clean fan blades regularly with a long-handled duster. Once in a while, it’s a good idea to stand on a secure step stool or ladder and use a cloth to wipe down the blades manually.
While you’re wiping down the blades feel for any sign of looseness.
This is typically caused by loose blade attachment screws—normally two per blade—which can be easily tightened with a screwdriver.
Use a hand vacuum or a vaccuum hose to remove dust from the fan motor vent openings.
Check the fan direction switch to make sure it’s correct for the season.
In summer, ceiling fans should gently blow air directly downwards. The correct switch position is usually down, which results in counter-clockwise rotation. Verify that the fan rotates in the correct direction after you re-start it.
Also look for any signs of wobbling.
This can be caused by a bent blade. Flexible blades with a slight bend can be corrected by bending them back into shape by hand. However, a severely bent blade will probably need to be replaced.
Serving Terre Haute homeowners since 1922, contact Paitson Bros. for answers to any questions about ceiling fan care.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922