Quality Fan Reviews, Prices & More

Fan Buying Guide

Investing in a fan involves decisions regarding size, oscillation strength, blade size and other options that correlate with the room and the reason it is being purchased. Neglecting to address these choices may result in purchasing a fan that does not perform in the manner it was expected.

Air Circulation

Fans are meant to cool an area, to circulate the air or both. Air circulation is crucial in rooms where windows are closed or someone suffers from breathing difficulties. Overhead ceiling fans or large floor fans will maintain optimal air circulation and prevent accumulation of allergens. Circulating fans also keep humidity levels low, which inhibits mold growth in places prone to such occurrences. In addition, air circulation fans are excellent in deterring an unhealthy build-up of toxic fumes in places such as work sheds or garages.

Multiple Speed Settings

Most fans come with multiple speed settings, which are especially useful for fans meant to cool larger rooms. Having different settings means you can control the flow of air depending on cooling needs at certain times of the day. However, some fans have high speed settings which may produce a noisier sound than what the customer desires. When purchasing a fan, test all speed settings initially to see whether the sounds emitted maintain acceptable levels. Also, remember that the sound a fan issues when running may seem different in various room sizes.

Child Safety

If there are children in the home, fans with child-safe grilles are a good option to consider. Fans possessing this feature will allow automatically stop turning if the metallic fan grill is touched by something, such as a child’s hand. Most children are naturally curious so telling them not to touch something means they will probably want to touch it anyway. A child-safe grille will prevent accidents from occurring which stem from this type of natural curiosity. It can also benefit those with inquisitive pets.

Remote Control Fans

Fans that are remotely controlled are great for those who have trouble getting out of chairs but want to regulate a fan for optimal comfort. In addition, these fans allow customers to control the oscillation speed of the fan. Some come equipped with a “sleep mode” setting which automatically reduces the oscillation speed at pre-set intervals. Remote control fans can also be turned on several minutes before entering a room in order to cool a warm room down prior to entering it.

Blade Pitch

A fan’s blade pitch refers to the angle of the blade. The more pitch a blade has, the more air the fan will circulate. That is why larger fans have blades which seem to have a greater curve than smaller, tabletop models. Ideally, a blade’s pitch should be somewhere between 12 and 16 degrees, depending on the model of the fan. However, blades which have higher degrees of angles will have to be cleaned more often, since they are capturing more air and dust particles.

Deciding what the best type of fan to purchase depends on room size, health needs and family members who reside in the home. Considering these factors before buying a fan will help you in purchasing the most optimal fan to use in your home.

Things to Look for in a Fan

Among the common mistakes people make when purchasing fans is neglecting to address several issues that may arise after using the fan. Basing a decision to buy a fan just by its appearance means there may be problems with it in the future. Let’s look at some details that should be considered when buying a fan.

Is it Sturdy?

Tabletop and floor fans need to have sturdy bases that do not wobble when the fan oscillation setting is set on high. Good fans will remain still when running at full-speed and won’t appear to slide around because the base is not heavy enough. Fans may wobble because the blades have not been sealed properly, or the materials used to construct the fan are cheap. Fan blades which are not balanced carefully may also cause the entire fan to wobble.

Noise Reduction

While some fans are noisy, especially at high speed, this noise is what puts many people to sleep at night, so that is not an issue for them. However, if you want a quiet fan, a floor fan rather than a box fan would be the better option. Box fans are noisy because of their structure and their blades’ proximity to all four sides of the fan. Floor fans are generally lightweight and mounted high above the ground on sturdy poles. This keeps them quieter than floor or desktop models.

Safety Issues

Safety issues are important to think about when purchasing a fan, since they are electrical appliances. Make sure the cord is long enough and able to lie on the floor when plugged in. Also, floor fans have shaft bushings rather than bearings, which box and ceiling fans contain. When left running all day, a floor fan’s bushing may get too hot and trip the circuit breaker. If you plan on leaving a fan on for an extended period of time, opt for a box fan over a floor model.

Cooling Abilities

Different types of fans cool an area in different ways. Ceiling fans are efficient in cooling large rooms where a large amount of heat will rise. These fans continuously generate downdrafts, which keep the air circulating and prevent heat from intensifying. Blades measuring 25 to 60 inches are best to use for optimal cooling efficiency in ceiling fans. Floor and desktop fans, however, will generally have an oscillating feature, allowing for more immediate cooling of specific areas.

Plastic or Metal?

Differences between fans made of plastic or metal basically deal with weight and cleaning. Metal fans will be heavier and harder to tip over than plastic fans. For this reason, a metal fan, whether it is a floor or box fan, is generally used in work or industrial areas. Plastic fans are easier to move from room to room, but tend to attract dust more, so they may require more frequent cleanings. Noise quality in either fan remains the same, unless the metal fan becomes unstable and begins to vibrate when running.

Fans come in many distinct styles, which can cause them to perform differently in various situations. Knowing what constitutes a fan’s characteristics and how these details affect its performance can make the purchase of a fan a successful investment.

Things to Avoid in a Fan

Before purchasing a fan, consumers should be aware of a few mistakes that can be made when buying something that appears to be well-constructed and suitable for our needs. With fans, some of these things include low power capability, quality and correct size for the area requiring a cooling apparatus.

Quality of Fans

Most fans made of quality materials will come from a name brand company that specializes in constructing fans. A good fan will be sturdy and have a grille which is does not easily detach from the fan. The price of the fan will also reflect the quality of the fan. Fans which are priced cheaper than others will probably be noisier and possess blades which are not appropriately sized for the cooling ability attributed to them.

Warranties and Installation

If a fan does not offer a lifetime warranty, be wary of its quality. Most good fans will include a lifetime warranty in the purchase price along with a provision stating the availability of in-home services in the event the fan suffers damage. Also, in regards to ceiling fans, well-reviewed companies will offer free or minimally priced installation for their customers. If a fan offers a reduced-time warranty, it may be best avoid purchasing it.

Fan Blades

Fan blades should be made of wood (designer ceiling fans) or acrylic. They should also have been sealed with temperature-resistant coating which will prevent humidity or other climate extremes from warping or cracking the blades. Check this on a new fan by feeling the blades with your fingertips. Do they feel smooth and even? Even a slight sensation of coarseness should warn you of untreated blades, which will inevitably lead to blades that bubble or peel.

Fan Motors

Probably the most important component of a fan is its motor, which is accountable for most of the noise produced by blade movement. A good quality motor will consist of heavy-duty windings and sealed bearings that are lubricated with a special material meant to last the life of the fan. Fans which contain sealed bearings that have not been permanently lubricated may overheat and irrevocably damage the fan.

More than One Speed Setting

Watch out for low-quality fans that offer only an on/off switch rather than a choice of speed settings. Fans such as these are usually made this way because the motor does not contain necessary components that contribute to the life of a fan, such as lubricated sealed bearings. In addition, one setting switches do not allow for any kind of cooling control whatsoever. As a result, air circulation will be minimal and the noise from the inferior motor will be irritatingly loud.

Length of Plug-In Cord

Since many people buy fans which are meant to be carried to different rooms in a house, the length of the plug-in cord is important when purchasing a floor or box fan. No one wants to hunt for multiple extension cords to use a fan in a certain room, especially when it is hot. If the length of the cord is not specified in the description of the fan, ask the manufacture how long the cord is or ask to see it fully extended. Depending on where you want to place the fan, the cord should be a certain length in order to accommodate the fan’s versatility.

As with most merchandise, the amount paid for certain items will reflect its quality and maintainability. Fans are no exception, so when purchasing a fan that may be lower priced, check for certain components that manufacturers may try to bypass or eliminate altogether.