A gentle breeze can help cool your skin through evaporation in the summer. In the winter, with the direction of the rotation changed, the fan will pull air upwards, distributing heat more evenly throughout the room.

Unlike air conditioners, ceiling fans don’t lower a room’s temperature or remove humidity from the air. But you can boost your comfort level—and save energy and money—by using ceiling fans and turning off the air conditioning or turning the thermostat up a few degrees and letting the fan do the rest.

The Department of Energy recommends setting air conditioning to 78° F, but some people set the thermostat much cooler. According to Energy Star, you can save 3 to 5 percent on air-conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. Using a ceiling fan, which costs little to run, can make you feel up to 4° F cooler. (Don't forget to turn off the fan when you leave the room; fans cool you, not the room.)