How to Reverse Exhaust Fan Rotation

Reverse exhaust fan rotation is a common question among HVAC professionals. This blog post will discuss why you may need to reverse your exhaust fan rotation and how to do so. To reverse your exhaust fan rotation, you’ll want to disconnect the power from the unit before making any adjustments. Once the power is disconnected, you can access the motor and reverse the direction of the blades.

If this isn’t an option for you, be sure to turn off all electricity at the breaker box first! Once disconnected from power or turned off completely, remove screws that hold in place blades of your ceiling-mounted grille and then remove it from its mountings on either side. Next, remove the 4 main screws holding in your ceiling-mounted motor assembly and then disconnect the two wires that are holding it to the ceiling.

How to Reverse Exhaust Fan Rotation

Next, take out screws holding in place blade guards on both sides of your unit’s motor housing and pull them away as well as removing any guards that are in the way of your blade installation. It is essential to know how to reverse exhaust fan rotation. Next, locate and remove the small cap that covers the shaft of your exhaust fan. This step is essential to know how to reverse exhaust fan rotation. Once this cover is removed, carefully pull out your old blade with a little help from a wrench or another pair of hands if needed.

Step to Follow on How to Reverse Exhaust Fan Rotation

Step One: Identify the Exhaust Fan

Locate the exhaust fan and check behind it for a small knob or lever that controls its rotation. The switch will probably be somewhere near the cord but not right next to it. It may take some time to identify because there is no standardized location where this switch could be. Turn the knob to the left, clockwise, and turn on the exhaust fan. You should hear it spin quickly and feel air coming from the vent. If you don’t hear or feel anything, it could be jammed and require some professional help.

Step Two: Rotate the Fan

The rotation switch can be found in two places, either on the side of the exhaust fan or behind it. The one on the side is usually larger than the one behind it, but this varies among fans. Turn that knob or lever, so that opposite sides are touching each other. For example, if you turn to the right, turn it to the left. If you turn it clockwise, turn it counterclockwise. There is usually an arrow to indicate the direction of airflow. If you see an arrow on the exhaust fan, make sure that the fan blade rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow. Once you have finished checking, turn the switch back on.

Step Three: Test it Out.

Switch on the power and test out your exhaust fan to ensure it’s working correctly after being reversed. If there is a noticeable difference in sound or airflow, either turn the switch back to its original setting or turn off the power and start over with. If the control doesn’t seem to do anything, try rotating it in one direction and then the other and turning on the power each time you spin it.

Step Four: Dispose of Old Fan Belt

If there was a belt connected to your old switch, discard it safely by cutting off its connections with wire cutters or by untying it. The belt will not be necessary with the new switch, and leaving it connected can pose a safety hazard if someone accidentally steps on or trips over the belt.

Step Five: Secure New Fan Belt

Secure your new fan belt around both pulleys after identifying which one powers the exhaust fan’s rotation. If you’re not sure which pulley to use, it’s usually the one with a metal rod going through it. Secure the belt by tying a knot in both ends and then sealing the knot using super glue or electrical tape.

Step Six: Test New Fan Belt

Please turn on the power and test the exhaust fan again to ensure that it’s working correctly. There should not be a noticeable difference in sound or airflow, but if there is, secure the other end of the newly installed belt to another pulley and re-test. If things are still not working correctly, ensure that you have identified which pulley is for powering the fan’s rotation and that you have tied a knot in both ends of the new belt.

Ensure That It's Working Correctly

Step Seven: Reattach Wires

Reattach the wires from your old switch to those from your new one using wire cutters or pliers. Match up each wire with its corresponding color on the other end. For example, if the old fan has a blue wire and the new one has a red wire, these two wires should be attached.

Step Eight: Secure New Switch

Secure your new switch to the wall using screws. This should be relatively easy if you have a place on your exhaust fan where a switch can fit. If there isn’t, you may need to find another location for your switch or remove the exhaust fan and replace it with a new one.

Step Nine: Insert New Switch Pins

Place the pins from your new switch into their corresponding holes on the fan itself. This can be difficult if there is not much room between the ceiling and the blades, but it can be done if you are patient and take your time.

Step Ten: Reattach the Fan

Reattach the fan to the wall by lining up its three holes with the screws in the wall and screwing them back in. If they don’t line up right away, make sure that you haven’t accidentally inserted one of your new switch pins into the wrong hole and turn it so that it lines up correctly. This will help in how to reverse exhaust fan rotation.

Step Eleven: Test Your New Exhaust Fan Switch

Please turn on the power and test your new switch to ensure that it’s working correctly. There should not be a noticeable difference in sound or airflow, but if there is, try reattaching the other end of the belt and re-test. If things are still not working correctly, ensure that you have identified which pulley is for powering the fan’s rotation and that you have tied a knot in both ends of the new belt.

Step Twelve: Clean Up the Exhaust Fan

If your exhaust fan is very dusty, use a lightly dampened rag to clean away any dust after completing this project. If you see dirt or other particles on the floor below your new switch, vacuum them up using a vacuum cleaner with a wide hose attachment. The tools that you need for cleaning your exhaust fan are a screwdriver, wire cutters, electrical tape, wire strippers, pliers, a flathead screwdriver, and super glue.

Exhaust Fan Is Very Dusty

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Way Should an Exhaust Fan Turn?

Fans are often installed in kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces where a small amount of air needs to be moved. They can also be used for circulating air in rooms or entire buildings.

One way to determine which direction an exhaust fan should turn is by looking at the blades. The two most common types of fans have horizontal and vertical blades that usually swing towards the floor when turned on.

What Is Reversible Exhaust Fan?

A reversible exhaust fan is a device that has two types of fans. One is the inlet or intake side, and the other is the outlet or exhaust side. The device can be reversed to switch between these two different types of airflow.

Can a Fan Be Wired Backwards?

It is not possible to wire a fan backward. A fan works by drawing air from outside and blowing it inside the room.

There are two types of fans that can be wired back-to-back. One is a reversible motor, which can be used as both an exhaust and intake in various applications. The other type is a propeller fan, which has blades that rotate in opposite directions for exhaust or intake purposes.

What Happens if Phase and Neutral Are Reversed?

Phase and neutral are the two states of the power grid. In phase, current flows in one direction, while in neutral, it flows in both directions.

If the phase is reversed to neutral, then you will have no power because all circuits are connected at this point.

Conclusion

When you need to reverse the fan direction, there are a few things that can help. First of all, make sure any furniture or other objects do not obstruct your exhaust system. This could be as simple as moving an ottoman out from under your couch, so it clears the ducts on either side of the fireplace and lets air flow freely through them again.

Another thing to try would be flipping a switch inside where the venting pipe goes into your house wall if one exists to change its rotation back around 180 degrees. Finally, the conclusion paragraph is informative and provides information on how to reverse exhaust fan rotation.

You may also read-How to Make a Desk Fan Spin Faster

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