Most ceiling fans only use as much power as a small light bulb, and can save you money on your heating and cooling utility bills during both the summer and winter months. In summer air circulation with a fan can make the temperature feel up to seven degrees cooler and also reduce your air conditioning bills by up to 40%. In winter you can run your fan in reverse mode. This pushes warm air toward the ceiling and circulates the air around the room. Doing this can reduce heating costs by as much as ten per cent.

When selecting a ceiling fan the size of the room in which it is installed is the most important consideration. The bigger the room size the longer the length of the blades and the more powerful the fan motor will need to be to produce enough movement in the air. Large rooms such as a family room or living room need a fan blade of at least 50 to 56 inches in length. Small to medium rooms such as a kitchen or kids bedroom needs a fan blade length of about 48 inches.

Fans located in outdoor areas should be protected from the weather, not be exposed to water under any circumstances and must have at a minimum three walls for wind protection.

If the fan is to be installed in a room with a high ceiling then an extension rod may be required. There should be a distance of at least seven feet from the floor to the fan blades and the blades should be at least a foot from the ceiling.

A fan with a light fitting integrated into it is suitable for use as the main source of light in a room. A remote control is an optional extra which allows you to conveniently control the action and lighting of the fan.