Before we get to the dog days of summer, I’d like to do a little Public Service Announcement. The local college alternative/indie rock station runs these all the time, since they don’t have many advertisers, and the Ad Council (who produces them) is a pretty clever bunch.

My PSA won’t be particularly catchy, but it will save you some cash. The power companies like to provide customers with tips on how to save electricity during Air Conditioning season, and one of the easiest is to use fans. Overhead fans are the least conspicuous and may be the most efficient; this is due to the way they can move air all around a room. Keeping the flow fresh breaks up the layer of warm air that builds toward the ceiling, which can make it easier and quicker for your AC to reach its set point. In addition, fans help distribute the cooler air when it leaves the vents; that means you get relief faster. After your AC reaches its set point and shuts off, a fan can keep you comfy if you’re stuck in a part of your building with poor airflow.

This is just to get your attention. If you want one and have $1,000 for a fan, .

In situations where you may be the warmest blooded person in your office, a fan can keep you civil while your coworkers reluctantly shed their sweaters at 83 degrees. And in those dire situations when the AC is either broken or absent, moving air feels cooler on your sweaty skin. My last advantage has nothing to do with temperature. Cheap fans are noisy, and sometimes, that kind of white noise is a blessing. In a busy office, it can make a day full of phone calls much more bearable. At home, the noise blanket provided by fans can make your late night neighbors a lot less annoying. So, haul out your fans and crank up part of the soundtrack of summer!