Ceiling Fans & Choosing and Purchasing
When shopping a ceiling fan,
equate features as its size and the size of the
blades, the
noise it produces, the type of
motors, fans for
bathrooms or patios, the controls, the
grades,
the motor house, the
lighting, the price
or the Energy Star
ratings…
The size of the fan
Ceiling fans come in different sizes, and larger ceiling fans
can obviously move more air than smaller fans.
For
very small rooms
(with dimensions up to 75m2) you may buy a
29-36” fan size.
For small
rooms up to 144 ft2
you may get a 36 or a 44-inch
diameter fan. These fans will cool rooms up to around 200-220
square feet (small and medium-sized fans provide efficient
cooling in a 4 to 6 foot diameter area).
If the room where you want to put the ceiling fan is
larger, get
a 50-54” fan size.
Ps:
References given by
American Lighting
Association
Large or small
blade fans
In rooms where there are objects that shouldn't be disturbed by a fan
strong breeze, choose a large blade fan with a lower velocity
option: a large blade fan provides the same cooling of a smaller
blade fan with a lower velocity.
Noise
Check the noise ratings (through Energy Star or other official
label). Before buying the fan, check its noise in operation,
if possible.
Ceiling Fan Motor types
Most ceiling fans have 1) a direct-drive motor or 2) a
friction-drive motor.
Direct-drive models have fewer separated parts, tend to last longer and...
are usually more expensive (they often worth the price, since they tend to run
more quietly and to be more efficient).
Ceiling Fans for bathrooms, patios or front porches
Take
into account where the fan is going to be placed.
Fans can
include features such as all weather blades, moisture resistant
motors or stainless steel and rust resistant components.
If you want to place a ceiling fan in a humid location
as a bathroom, you should purchase a fan with a ‘damp’ rating.
If you want to place a fan on a patio, a front porch or other
place where fans may come into direct contact with water, search
a ‘wet’ rating fan.
Speed
control
and airflow direction
When buying ceiling fans, choose one with a speed control. Most
modern models allow you to set the fan speed
with pull-chains or wall control switches.
Most ceiling fans also feature the ability to reverse the motor
and airflow direction. Reversing airflow direction is important,
since it allows homeowners to use fans all year round: see
Year round use of ceiling fans.
If purchasing controls separately of fans, be sure to buy
controls that match up with the ceiling fans, taking into
account the number of speeds, lamp wattage or maximum amps… Some
remote controls should only be used with specific brands.
Ceiling Fans
grades
There are usually three grades
in ceiling fans: the high, the medium and the low grade. They
correspond to different powers and also prices and performances.
High-performance grade:
these fans have larger and more performing motors, designed for
continuous use. The high-performance grade models tend to run
more quietly but are also the most expensive models.
Low-moderate
grade:
these
fans are designed to work for small rooms with low ceilings
running up to 8 hours a day maximum. They are the most
inexpensive ceiling fans.
Medium
grade:
these
ceiling fans are an intermediate level of fans, suitable for
operating up to 12 hours per day.
Blades, motor house and other
features
There are details and features that count deeply and may ensure
longevity and quiet operation to ceiling fans: the quality of
blades, the fans housing, chock-absorbent internal components...
The quality of blades is very important: their weight and
balance is crucial, and they should be sealed from moisture,
through special coatings or other finishing (to
avoid warping, bubbling, peeling…).
Ceiling fans housing (for the fan motor) is another feature you
should consider: those made of heavier materials tend to
vibrate less and to work quietly…
Fans with
lighting
You may buy a ceiling fan with a light kit, which may be
integrated into the package or bought separately.
Modern light kit models present diverse designs: armed stemmed
designs (pointing toward the ceiling fan or toward the floor),
bowl and shade lighting designs and
up-light
designs (with the light kit sitting on top of the housing and
pointing up toward the ceiling).
Most ceiling fans
are light kit adaptable, but the compatibility may only apply
between the same brand. It may me preferable to choose an
universal model: a light kit that can be used on a number of
different fan models.
Price
Ceiling fans are rather inexpensive: $200 - $300 qualified
ceiling fans are very common, though it all depends of the
extras and quality.
Anyway, do not choose the cheapest.
A good ceiling fan should operate quietly and reliably, and a
more expensive fan will probably offer more trouble-free
operation.
More expensive ceiling fans may include crucial features as
direct-drive and variable-speed motor, higher grade, remote controls...
Energy Star labels
Look for the Energy Star label in fans (there isn’t yet an
equivalent in Europe). Fans with the Energy Star label are
qualified and allow higher savings. They have improved motors
and improved blades and move air more efficiently.
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Ceiling Fans Purchasing and Choosing
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