Fan Your Way to Lower Energy Bills

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How to Find the Best Fan

First, think about the height of the ceiling that the fan will be hanging from. Make sure that there is at least 7 feet between the floor and the blades of the fan because, obviously, you don’t want anyone to bump their head on them. Once you know the height, think about how you want to attach your fan to the ceiling. If there’s enough room, buy a fan with a rod that allows the fan to have a hanging depth (the distance between the ceiling and the bottom of the fan) of about 10 inches, which will allow the fan to circulate air better. If your ceiling height doesn’t allow for this much room (usually ceilings below 9 feet won’t), then you’ll need a fan with a flush mount. 

Depending on the size of the room and the amount of time you will be using your fan, think about what kind of motor would be best. Fans with a performance grade motor are the most expensive but are designed for lots of use, operating 12 or more hours a day. A medium grade motor should be used about 12 hours or less a day, and a moderate or economy grade should be run for no more than eight hours a day.

Remember to find a fan with the Energy Star label because they use up to 50 percent less energy than other fans. Energy Star fans are especially efficient if you want a light with your fan because they use only one central light globe, which use less energy then several single bulbs.

Finally, don’t forget to check the fan’s noise rating through Energy Star or some other official label. You want to purchase a fan with a rating of 1.5 or less because fans with a higher rating tend to be noisier, borderline annoying. And what’s the point in buying one if you’re not going to truly appreciate it?

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