"Ceiling fans augment air conditioning by moving air and creating a wind chill effect," says Patrick Wilson, vice president, marketing for Minka Aire, a ceiling fan manufacturer based in Corona, Calif. "If your air conditioner is set at 72, the wind chill factor of the fan will make it feel like 68 degrees."

Best of all, ceiling fans use only about as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb. Studies show that by setting ceiling fans to spin in a counter-clockwise pattern, you can save as much as 40 percent off summer cooling bills -- without sweltering. Simply set the thermostat a few degrees higher and flip on the fan.

In the winter, ceiling fans move warm air back to the center of the room, pushing it down from the ceiling. "With tall ceilings, it can be 10 to 15 degrees hotter up there than on the floor," says Wilson. "Ceiling fans can push that warm air back down to floor level." Studies also reveal that ceiling fans can help homeowners save as much as 10 percent on their heating bills. Switch the direction of the blades to spin clockwise and turn on the fan.

Finding the fan that works best for your home is a breeze, when you follow the expert's advice.

* Bigger rooms need bigger fans. Choose a 50- to 56-inch fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and larger. Pick up a 42- to 44-inch fan for rooms up to 144 square feet. Rooms up to 64 square feet can use a 32-inch fan.

* Ceiling height is also important when choosing a fan. For safe operation, fan blades should be at least seven feet above the floor. A blade height of eight to nine feet is optimum.

* Look for a motor that can do the job. "The heart of the fan is its motor," says Mark Jeffrey, marketing manager for Emerson Electric Company Air Comfort Products Division in St. Louis. "You can't see it but it is the real workhorse."

* The amount of air moved by a ceiling fan depends on the angle, or pitch, of its blades. A pitch of 14 degrees is optimum for maximum air movement.

* Consider your home's style. "If you want the fan to be part of your home's decor, look for colors and detail that complement," says Casablanca Fan Company's John Pearson. "If you want the fan to "disappear," choose one the color of the ceiling."

* Look for light fixtures and fitters that match your fan's finish.

* Ceiling fans run on electricity. Determine if you will need electrical wiring brought to the part of the room you want to add the fan. Since most fans replace existing lights, the wiring is usually already in place.

* When adding a fan to the bathroom, look for one specifically designed and UL-listed for damp locations. Want one for the patio? Opt for a fan that is UL-listed for wet locations.

* "A ceiling fan is only as good as the company who sells it to you," says Kathy Held, manager, buyer and vice president of South Dade Lighting, a 10,000-square-foot lighting showroom in Miami, Fla. "Look for someone who will be able to help and service you."

* Buy the best quality you can afford. "People are willing to spend more money to achieve quiet operation, better performance and a look that complements their home decor," says Ball.

Courtesy of ARA Content