Energy Efficiency in Ceiling Fans

Types

• Ceiling fans are available in a variety of design styles, from ultra-modern to traditional-looking stained glass. Some of the fans feature light fixtures, various speed settings, remote controls and interchangeable fan blades.

Considerations

• The amount of energy that a ceiling fan uses depends on its wattage and the operating speed. Ceiling fans can be turned off to save energy in rooms that are not being used. When a ceiling fan uses LED (light-emitting diode) or CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb) lights, less energy is consumed to light the room.

Warning

• Running ceiling fans that do not have reverse switches in the winter may make the room feel colder. The reverse or counter-clockwise setting circulates warm air downward, toward you. However, the clock-wise switch circulates air up, sending warm air toward the ceiling and away from you, which is great in the summer.

  Ceiling fans need to be hung from a UL-rated (Underwriters Laboratories) electrical box designed to hold the weight of the ceiling fan. Ceiling light boxes may not be strong enough to hold the fan, over time.