Ceiling fans are often thought of as energy-efficiency features, but they will only save energy if used correctly.

To begin with, fans don't actually cool the room; they only cool the people in the room. Moving air feels cooler — remember that wind chill factor — and so ceiling fans can help you feel comfortable with a higher thermostat setting. This means that you must do two things for a ceiling fan to save you money in the summer — turn your thermostat setting higher and turn the fan off when you're not in the room. A ceiling fan in the summer can make you feel 4 to 8 degrees cooler; but remember, you only save money if you increase your air conditioning setting by that amount. Increasing your thermostat setting by 4 degrees can save 10 to 15 percent on your cooling bills. Remember, ceiling fans only circulate air. They don't contribute to ventilation or bringing cooler air into the house.

During the winter, you don't want a cold breeze cooling you, but a ceiling fan can still help reduce heating bills and increase comfort. If you reverse the fan direction to clockwise, the air is blown upward, which helps circulate the warm air that has risen to the ceiling, distributing it more evenly throughout the room. You can usually change the fan direction with a switch on the body of the fan.

Choosing an energy-efficient fan

The simplest way to look for an energy-efficient fan is to look for the Energy Star™ label from the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Star-rated fans are at least 10 percent more efficient than standard ceiling fans. To find the most efficient fans, look for ones with the highest airflow, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), and the lowest power use, measured in watts, at each speed.

Advanced controls can also help save energy. Some high-end fans offer programmable features and controls that adjust the fan speed as the room temperature changes.

More efficient lighting

Most ceiling fans include lights because ceiling fans are frequently located in dens and living rooms, they're often the only overhead lights in those areas and so are used for many hours a day. Therefore, an important consideration in saving energy with a ceiling fan is the use of energy-efficient lighting.

Ceiling fan lighting is often very inefficient. Many ceiling fans use multiple bulbs. Using four 60-watt bulbs is less efficient — and produces less light — than a single 200-watt bulb. In addition, the small "ceiling fan" bulbs are often less efficient than standard incandescent bulbs of the same wattage.

You can save money by buying an Energy-Star rated light kit for your fan. These usually use compact fluorescent bulbs. In addition, the new smaller compact fluorescents can often be used in your existing light kit. Compact fluorescents offer a number of advantages. For one, their long life means that you won't have to change bulbs as often. In addition, most light kits have a limit of 60 watts per socket to prevent overheating. Since compact fluorescents use less energy, you can safely use a brighter light.

Using your ceiling fans effectively can help make those lazy days of summer a little less taxing on your wallet.