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Energy Star Ceiling Fans
Quiet Motors and Top Efficiency


Energy Star ceiling fans are the best products on the market, not just because of their performance but also because they help preserve and protect the environment. Ceiling mount fans are known to be highly efficient products.

All mounted fans in general are known for using less electricity than a 100-watt light bulb. This is why they are also the most efficient air-cooling appliances on the market compared to air conditioners.

However, Energy Star rated fans surpass the general efficiency of other ceiling mount fans. Usually, however, Energy Star fans don’t rely only on its electricity-powered motor. These fans achieve high efficiency ratings by combining high performance, low energy usage, efficient design, and special features.

What the Energy Star Label Means?

Energy Star is a certification program created by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The government uses it to identify more efficient products that can help in the government’s initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment.

The EPA awards the label to products that uses very little energy to operate. While ceiling mount fans typically consume around 300 kWh of electricity per year, Energy Star ceiling fans consumes only 120 kWh per year.

However, aside from conserving energy, the products should deliver high performance and meet quality standards. Therefore, products that are efficient but provide lacking performances do not qualify.

Why Are They More Efficient?

Energy Star fans are more efficient because they use less electricity to operate at their highest airflow capacity. The US Environmental Protection Agency has a key product criteria specifically designed for ceiling mounted fans. This criteria checks whether a fan deserves to have the Energy Star label or not.

Energy Star ceiling fans are more efficient because:

  • They have a minimum of 1250 CFM at low speed.
  • They have a minimum of 5000 CFM at high speed.
  • They have an efficiency rating of 155 CFM/watt at low speed.
  • They have an efficiency rating of 75 CFM/watt at high speed.

Based on industry standards, ceiling mount fans are compared based on their performance values at high speed. Thus, an Energy Star fan is more efficient because, at high speed, it can produce at least 75 CFM per watt. Many top manufacturers offer some products that go way beyond this rating though. One classic example is the Emerson Eco series fans, one of which is able to produce 359 CFM per watt at high speed.

How Do They Work?

The best gauge for the efficiency of a ceiling mount fan is its efficiency rating. This is calculated based on how much air a ceiling fan can move with every watt of electricity it uses. The higher the airflow it can create with a lower watt usage level, the more efficient the fan is.

Some companies employ special techniques to make their products more efficient. For example, the fans may have an optimum blade pitch of between 12 and 15 degrees, which means the blades are pitched at a certain angle so that it can move more air. Some fans also have especially designed blades that are shaped or tapered in a certain way for the same reason.

A Final Reminder When Choosing Energy Star Ceiling Fans

Another integral part of an Energy Star product is the warranty that comes with it. Before a product can be considered as an Energy Star certified product, it needs to have at least a 30-year warranty on the motor and at least a one-year warranty on the components of the fan. If it comes with a light kit, the light kit should also have a minimum of 2 years of warranty. So if you buy an Energy Star fan, you are also making a long-time investment.

Top 3 Energy Star Ceiling Fans

1. Hunter 25517 Summer Breeze 52-Inch, Energy Star

Hunter Summer Breeze 25517 Energy Star Certified FanOne of the top-rating and popular Energy Star ceiling fans is the Hunter Summer Breeze, which received more than 30 reviews plus a 5-star rating. The Hunter 25517 Summer Breeze uses energy sparingly but offers five 52-inch blades powered by Hunter’s exclusive WhisperWind motor. The fan has a clean and classic look with its white finish and reversible white and bleached oak blades.

As an Energy Star product, the Hunter Summer Breeze uses only 66 watts for an airflow of 5186 CFM. This means its airflow efficiency is at 78 CFM/watt. This is thanks to the WhisperWind motor’s unique copper wiring that helps keep temperature rise balanced and precision-engineered ball bearings that minimize resistance and friction.

Due to these, the Hunter Summer Breeze is said to help lower cooling costs by up to 47%, and the Energy Star label is enough proof. Consumers attest to the excellent performance and efficiency of the fan, based on positive reviews.

Aside from the efficient and ultra quiet motor, this Hunter fan also helps you save time during installation thanks to its Installer’s Choice 3-Position Mounting System and the AVT Hanging System. The fan also comes with a 3-inch downrod and is ETL rated for indoor use. The best part is, it costs under $180, which is a fair price for what you get.

2. Monte Carlo 5HM52BP Energy Star 52-Inch, Brushed Pewter Finish

Monte Carlo Homeowner Max 5HM52BP Energy Star Rated FanAnother one of the top-rating Energy Star ceiling fans is the Monte Carlo Homeowner Max. As implied by the name, this fan is a homeowner favorite due to its classic style, ease of use, and energy efficiency. Like the Summer Breeze, it also offers five 52-inch blades to offer sufficient airflow for large rooms.

The fan is powered by a motor with a triple capacitor to provide three speeds and a quiet performance. The motor is also reversible, so the fan can be used for summer cooling and winter heating. Despite all these, its Energy Star label shows that the fan uses energy sparingly as well so you get to save money all year round.

The Homeowner Max ceiling fan can provide an airflow of 6182 CFM with an airflow efficiency of 94 CFM/watt. Its electricity use is at 66 watts. This, along with the powerful 165 x 18 mm torque-induction motor and its extra long downrod, makes the fan ideal and effective for cooling and heating spacious rooms. Take note, however, that although the fan is UL and CUL listed for dry locations, it should preferably be used only indoors.

The Homeowner Max from Monte Carlo belongs to the same price range as the Hunter Summer Breeze and comes with a standard three-speed pull chain. It also features a brushed pewter finish and American walnut blades. However, other blade finishes are available, along with light kits and a remote control. These are to be bought separately.

3. Emerson CF955ORB 54" Midway Eco Energy Star, Bronze

Emerson Fans Midway Eco CF955ORB Contemporary Energy Star FanOne of the most stylish and popular Energy Star ceiling fans that are highly recommended for contemporary homes is the Emerson Fans Midway Eco CF995ORB.

The look is so starkly contemporary; it is simple yet it is also sleek and sophisticated, especially with its oil rubbed bronzefinish for the base and the blades. Although the blades are not reversible, most consumers have no complaints, since the oil rubbed bronze looks classy and impressive enough.

This is another Energy Star model perfect for cooling and heating large to extra large rooms, thanks to its 54-inch blade span. Of all the options here, the Midway Eco is the most feature-filled, and yet it manages to use energy efficiently enough to deserve the Energy Star label.

First, the ceiling fan is powered by the EcoMotor motor, which uses only 24 watts of electricity with an airflow capacity of 6936, for a total airflow efficiency of 289 CFM/watt.

Second, it comes with a remote control and receiver. The remote control can adjust the fan speeds, reverse the blade movement, and turn the light kit on/off. That brings us to feature 3: the light kit. Despite having one, the Midway Eco still uses little energy. The light kit uses a 52-watt fluorescent light bulb, which is already included in the package.

The downside? All these features plus the Energy Star rating raises the initial investment for this ceiling fan to a whopping $680.

4. Hunter 23915 Low Profile Plus Bronze Energy Star 48" with Light

If you need a fan for a medium-sized low-ceilinged room, there are specific Energy Star ceiling fans designed specifically for those needs. It’s the Hunter Low Profile Plus, a flush mount fan with five 48-inch blades.

The Hunter Low Profile Plus uses 57 watts of energy and an airflow capacity of 1772 CFM. This means its airflow efficiency is 31 CFM per watt. Despite using minimal energy, the fan is powered by the WhisperWind motor and features reversible blade rotation, which means it can cool as well as heat a room.

The Low Profile series from Hunter is known as its main flush mount collection, but among all Low Profile models, the Low Profile Plus 23915 is quite a standout. Instead of the usual simple but classic look, this model has a more refined transitional look thanks to its walnut/Washington cherry blades and its elegantly shaped bowl light. Take note that the single light piece uses an additional 26 watts of energy, but it does not get in the way of the ceiling fan receiving the Energy Star certification.

5. Hunter 20511 52-Inch Antique Pewter Savoy Ceiling Fan

Perfect for minimalist or contemporary rooms in themes of black and white, the Hunter Savoy model 20511 is quite a catch. Available for only $200 and boasting of an Energy Star rating, this is one of the Energy Star ceiling fans that show just how you can enjoy style and economy together.

The Hunter Savoy has five 52-inch blades with black blades; the color beautifully complements the antique pewter base finish. But there’s more to the Savoy than just looks. Powered by the WhisperWind motor, the ceiling fan produces enough power to cool large rooms but still won the Energy Star label.

This doesn’t have a light kit, though, and operation is through the standard pull chain. It is also designed only for indoor use, but it is one of the most reliable and most flexibly styled Hunter indoor fans with the Energy Star certification. Does Low Energy Usage Indicate Low Quality?

Your Best Five Options

Don’t take low energy usage as an indication of poor performance or lack of power in Energy Star ceiling fans. Energy Star ratings do not have any negative indication on the quality or style of a fan. In fact, the Energy Star rating is given only to products that use little energy but still offer exceptional quality, not to products that use little energy and offer basic functionality and poor quality. So aside from signaling low energy usage, an Energy Star label may also be considered as a quality guarantee.




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