Ceiling fans are the best way to stay cool at home during the Alabama summer and lower your electric bill. The cooling breeze from circulating air will make you feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler, so you can set your thermostat at an energy-saving 78 degrees. According to the Dept. of Energy, running your air conditioning at 78°F instead of 72°F can save between 6 and 18 percent on your cooling bill. Be sure to turn off the ceiling fan when you leave the room because fans cool people, not the air.

By the way, ceiling fans help save energy and improve comfort during the heating season, too. Run at low speed in reverse (upward air flow) will push the warm air off the ceiling to eliminate stratification and improve winter comfort. All of our recommendations must be ordered through your local Home Depot, Lowe’s store or from Amazon. You can purchase the most efficient model listed through the AlabamaWISE Amazon store and support the non-profit Nexus Energy Center with your purchase.

Not all ceiling fans are equal. Look for the Energy Star label and compare which models are most efficient. Ceiling fan efficiency is rated by how much air they move relative to energy consumption, given as CFM/Watt.

The AlabamaWISE staff researched the most efficient Energy Star certified ceiling fans available locally through Lowe’s and Home Depot. You can also research other models by using the Energy Star product finder at http://www.energystar.gov/ . More efficient fans feature larger blades and/or more blades. Our three picks range from 3 blades to 9 blades up to 70 inches in diameter. Two models use highly efficient DC motors. When choosing a ceiling fan with light, look for high efficiency CFLs.

Our picks are listed in order of efficiency at all speeds, but these models achieve maximum efficiency on low, ranging from 676 cfm/watt for the 9-blade, 70″ Slinger to 280 cfm/watt for the 3 blade, 56″ Harbor Breeze Redrock Gossamer blade. Models with lights are rated on luminous efficiency noted by Lumens/Watt.

Harbor Breeze Slinger – FN666: $299.00 at Lowe’s Home Improvement:

High efficiency 9 blade ceiling fan.

Harbor Breeze 72-in Slinger Helicopter Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fan with Light Kit and Remote is a stunning 9 blade fan that is super energy-efficient, consuming less than 33 watts of energy on high.  A fan this large is best suited for large rooms or high ceilings.

• Efficiency (cfm/W) – low: 676  / medium: 467 / high: 293
• Luminous Efficacy (Lm/W): 76.0
• 6-speeds including reverse

Link: http://www.lowes.com/pd_198689-88854-LP8146LBN_0__?productId=3576602

Hampton Bay Winfield – AG804: $229 at Home Depot

High efficiency 5 blade ceiling fan.

54 Inch Ceiling Fan with Light Kit

• 5 Blades
• Efficiency (cfm/W) – low: 461 / medium: 327 / high: 180
• Luminous Efficacy (Lm/W): 70.0
• DC motor up to 40% more efficient

Link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-Winfield-54-in-Liquid-Nickel-Ceiling-Fan-AG804-LN/202608829

Harbor Breeze Redrock Gossamer blade – HKC-103C: $99.98 at Lowe’s Home Improvement

High efficiency 3-blade ceiling fan.

• Ceiling Fan Only (No Light)
• 56 Inches Diameter
• Efficiency (cfm/W) – low: 280 / medium: 177 / high: 114

Link: http://www.lowes.com/pd_357653-82939-HKC-103C_0__?productId=3579026