Chill out: The best fans for your buck

Can't seem to cool down? Fans vary in more ways than just in their ability to blow air. Current fans come in many configurations. Here, some helpful things to keep in mind this summer.

Floor fans provide the most power and can circulate air throughout a large room, but offer little protection against curious fingers, so they must be used with extra caution around kids. Another option, pedestal and tower fans usually oscillate and offer good coverage for small-to-medium rooms; they're also space-efficient. Smaller fans can be placed on tables or desks to provide extra airflow to more cramped areas and are typically quieter than other types of fans. Window fans can be especially useful on cool nights and some models have individually reversible fans to blow cool air in and warm air out. You'll need to remove your window screen to install a window fan, however, and that means that unless you cover the fan whenever it's turned off, mosquitoes and other pests may crawl inside through the fan's grille.

Noise level also receives a lot of attention in user reviews, though not everyone agrees that quieter is better. Some owners prefer a loud fan that can double as a white noise machine. Reliability can be another sticking point. Despite the fact that some manufacturers offer long warranties, reviews revealed returning a fan for repair or replacement can cost as much as buying a new fan. And while fans don't receive Energy Star ratings, some do use more energy than others.

Lastly, according to the writers at Real Simple magazine, you should place fans where you'll feel their breeze directly: "It's the windchill effect of the breeze on your skin that makes you cooler," states Kate Lewis of Energy Star, in the Real Simple article. Fans don't usually lower the temperature in a room that much, but they can make you feel cooler through increased airflow. As explained on the website HowStuffWorks.com, "By blowing air around, the fan makes it easier for the air to evaporate sweat from your skin, which is how you eliminate body heat." Fans can also be used to push warm air out of a room. To learn more, check out our updated report on fans.