Given that 11 of the last 12 years have been the warmest in recorded history, keeping cool has become a hot topic. We've all had to get creative in finding ways to stay comfortable in our homes, even while devising strategies for conserving more energy. That seems like a hard nut to crack. But if you're looking for a quick, reliable solution, consider the ceiling fan, which has evolved from atmospheric movie prop into a household appliance that, whirring quietly overhead, can lower your energy bills all year-round.

Long before the environmental movement gained momentum, ceiling fans were a common method of moderating indoor temperatures without gulping loads of energy. In fact, using a ceiling fan can cut your energy bill by up to 40 percent in the summer and 10 percent in the winter, using only as much energy as a 100-watt lightbulb. How? In the summer, the blades run in their normal fashion, creating a downdraft that spreads cooling breezes around the room; in the winter, the fan's reverse mode generates an updraft that helps distribute warm air more evenly, in a process called heat reclamation.

As with all appliances, energy-efficient features are the key to getting the most benefit from a ceiling fan. The Energy Star website has downloadable spreadsheets (you'll find the links under For Consumers) that can help you identify models that have the highest airflow efficiency, as measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm) per watt. But it's important to remember that ceiling fans won't save you much all on their own. When you're using a ceiling fan in tandem with central air-conditioning, for example, turn the thermostat up at least 3 degrees-so that the much more power-hungry AC can take a bit of a break.

Here are some things to consider you're in the market for a ceiling fan:

This one's just right: finding a fan that fits
Before heading to the showroom or appliance store, break out your tape measure. Take the dimensions of the room in which you'll be installing your fan. The following table will help you choose a size that fits your needs.

Getting the hang of it: choosing a ceiling mount
The height of your ceiling will dictate what kind of mounting hardware you'll need to get the most out of your fan. Take into consideration that fans should be mounted at least 7 feet from the floor so that tall family members and high-heeled guests can walk without fear. Also note the type of ceiling you have: For angled or vaulted ceilings-in entryways, for example, or rooms with cathedral ceilings-you'll need a special "sloped" mount to support your fan.

Otherwise, there are three kinds of mounts for regular, level ceilings: standard, flush, and extended. The standard is the simplest and most common mount, and comes with a 3- to 5-inch downrod that extends from the ceiling into the base of the fan. It is best suited, as you might have guessed, for a standard 8-foot ceiling.

Flush mounts, sometimes referred to as "hugger" mounts, are best for ceilings lower than 8 feet, or on taller ceilings for any fan with a low-hanging light kit. Even though Energy Star doesn't rate flush-mount models-their minimal distance from the ceiling can mean that they circulate less air-they can still be beneficial. "Hugger models help improve the efficiency of heating and air-conditioning systems by providing an overall ambient room temperature," says Melissa Le Bel of Modern Fan Company. "In low-ceiling residential applications, something really is better than nothing."

Finally, for the tallest ceilings, you'll need extended mounting hardware with a lengthened downrod. Since no one's going to feel the effect of a fan whirring 15 feet overhead, the extender will bring the breeze down to earth and still maintain the optimal height for the fan to do its work. The following chart will help you determine the right rod length for your ceiling.

With few exceptions, ceiling fans should be installed in the center of a room, and 18 inches from the nearest wall, according to Energy Star.

Bright ideas: light kits for your fan
For the most part, light kits haven't come as far in terms of energy efficiency as the other parts of ceiling fans (including the motor, which typically consumes less energy than the lights). In fact, since many kits are still equipped with energy-guzzling incandescent or halogen lightbulbs, it's possible to realize savings of nearly 80 percent with smarter choices. If you're thinking about buying a fan that includes a light kit, look for units that bear the Energy Star seal of approval (but note that some Energy Star labels apply to the fan only). Otherwise, go fluorescent.

You'll also want to settle on a lighting design that will suit the decor of your room. Walking into a lighting store, though, with its forest of fans spinning overhead, can be overwhelming. So think of light kits as falling into three categories: branched or stemmed lights; bowl lights; and uplights. Aside from their aesthetic differences, these three types also provide different kinds of illumination in a room.

Branched lights are just what they sound like: kits with three or four decorative branches-each with its own bulb-that can point up or down, providing either ambient or direct light. Bowl lights are usually an integral part of the fan-a hemispherical attachment that forms the bottom of the fan body. The Energy Star website notes that most of its qualified ceiling fans with lights incorporate bowl lighting. Finally, uplights are lights that sit above the main body of the fan and point upward, casting a softer, reflected light off the ceiling.

All wet: fans for damp and humid locales
If you're installing your ceiling fan in a humid room-the bathroom, say, or the laundry room-consider purchasing a model with a UL Listed "damp" rating. (What's UL? Click here to find out more.) If your fan is going to live in an outdoor area where it might get wet, such as a porch or patio, look for a UL Listed "wet" rating. The symbol indicates that the fan was tested for safety and meets standards that lower the risk of electrical shock, fire, and mechanical hazards.

Another factor affecting the fan's durability is how its blades-especially if they are made of wood-are sealed from moisture to prevent warping, bubbling, and peeling. Some manufacturers even offer special coatings on metal blades that help prevent scratches or tarnishing.

Under control: turning it on and off with ease
You will want a remote control because pull chains, often associated with the design of traditional ceiling fans, are typically the first thing to wear out. A wall-mounted or wireless handheld remote is best, and will control both the speed of the fan and the lights. Most fans come with a remote control, but with certain inexpensive models you may have to pay as much as $50 extra for one.

Fine print: the warranty
Finally, you'll want to look at the warranty on your fan. Most high-quality fans include a lifetime or limited lifetime guarantee, with in-home service included for the first 30 to 90 days after your purchase. Check to see that it covers all the hardware; occasionally, warranties will apply only to the fan itself, or only to the light kit.

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