Want to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your summer electric bill at the same time? Consider portable fans. They're relatively inexpensive, and you can take the cool with you -- as long as there's an outlet close by, of course.
First: Where will you use the fan? That will help determine what you buy. Room size is one factor. Style is another.
Location: For kitchen counters, desks or tabletops, fans with blade sizes ranging from 4 to 7 inches are ideal. Larger, pedestal-style fans, with blades ranging from 12 to 19 inches, are useful for creating cooling breezes in big rooms. A fan with an oscillating head provides a 90-degree optimal airflow, and the height can be adjusted for convenient operation.
Box set: Box fans can be positioned right in a window, letting you cool a room before the summer's heat overtakes it.
Floor model: Floor fans can be tilted toward you, to maximize personal refreshment.
Operating manual: Portable fans, like ceiling fans, are designed not to cool rooms, but to cool the people in them. If an empty room is hot, a fan simply turns the air into a hot breeze. A fan in operation will generate a certain amount of heat itself. But when you occupy a room with a fan, the motion of the air makes it easier for perspiration to evaporate from your skin. The more evaporation, the cooler you feel. A portable fan with at least three speed settings (low, medium and high) is perfect for handling different cooling needs.
Blade runner: Look for fans with scooped or angled blades, for better air circulation. Scooped blades carry more air per stroke, for better cooling in large rooms.
Quiet charm: The noise a portable fan creates during normal operation -- even at its highest speed -- should not be louder than a soft buzz. Look for one with a small motor and plastic grills to minimize noise, especially in spaces such as bedrooms, where turning up the volume on the TV is not a good option.
