Fan of Summer Savings

As temperatures outside your window start to rise, keeping the climate inside your home comfortable can be a challenge. The last thing you want is to crank up the AC, which can lead to higher energy bills.

It’s no secret that running a fan uses less energy than running your air conditioner. Knowing which type of fan to use and how to operate it efficiently will help keep you comfortable without running up your energy bill.

Here’s what you need to know about the different types of energy-efficient fans.

Ceiling Fan

As the name suggests, ceiling fans suspend from the ceiling. Typically, you will find these types of fans in a variety of spaces inside or outside your home. As one of the most affordable fans on the market, ceiling fans are easy to install and (when they are ENERGY STAR certified) are more energy-efficient than using your AC. Keep in mind: Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms, and some people tend to not like the noise they create. With so many varieties of styles and features available, you should be able to find one that fits your aesthetic and budget.

Tower Fan

Limited on space? Tower fans tend to be tall and slim and are easily hidden in any room of your house. Made up with a rotating base, these fans blow air at a 90-degree angle, which allows them to cover a wider area and keep your space cool. While they may not be the most powerful cooling fan on the market and they take up floor space, features like timers, remote controls and breeze settings make them a good choice for any home.

Pedestal Fan

If you’re looking to cool a large area, this is the right fan choice for you. Even though these multifunctional fans are larger and take up more space, they are more powerful and have better airflow capabilities when compared to other fans on the market. Pedestal fans are economical and can be moved from one place to another with a simple lift and shift. Pedestal fans are environment-friendly and incur low maintenance costs.

Window Fan

While not the most stylish on the market, window (or box) fans are a great energy-efficient, space-saving option. These fans tend to be more affordable when compared to ceiling fans and are easy to install and uninstall. They operate by drawing fresh air from the outside or blowing warm air out from within. Depending on your cooling needs, you may need more than one to cool your whole home. Additionally, you need to be certain they are fitted and installed correctly for maximum efficiency.

Smart Fan

With a similar look and feel of traditional ceiling fans, smart fans come with added Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. With some simple programming, these fans give you the ability to sense room occupancy, set a schedule and even control your fan from your device. This makes them a great option for tech-savvy households. Smart fan installation may be more challenging, and there's a good chance you will need additional apps. If you're willing to spend a little more, smart fans give insight into your energy use and the convenience of flexible cooling.

Take a walk around your home. Think about the size of each room, how often it is used and how the temperature in the room fluctuates through the year. Once you do that, you can feel confident that the fan you choose will maximize your energy savings and keep your home cool when you need it most.