Ceiling fans can provide substantial savings on energy and improve worker comfort year-round. Moving air with ceiling fans allows building occupants to feel comfortable at higher temperatures. As a result, mechanical cooling equipment temperature settings can be higher and an energy savings greater than the energy consumption of the fans can be realized.

By themselves in mild weather, ceiling fans offer a low-cost alternative to air conditioning. If your office uses air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. In temperate climates, or during moderately hot weather, ceiling fans may allow you to avoid using the office air conditioner altogether.

In the heating season, ceiling fans can help bring the warmer air that stratifies near the ceiling down to where the occupants are located. A low speed that does not create significant breeze is best for this heating season application. The most useful ceiling fans will have variable speed settings.