Best Ceiling Fan 2021 ⢠7 Ceiling Fans Reviews
Ceiling fans make the task of cooling a space efficient and less costly compared to using a central cooling system. Have you wondered how exactly ceiling fans work and how to get the best one? This review helps with that.
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What is a Ceiling Fan?
It is an appliance that is designed with a motor and blades that rotate to help keep a room cool. The fans are set up on the ceiling where they can move the air around and reduce the heat in a particular space. Although the ceiling fan may be considered a tad outdated compared to the cooling technology that homeowners have today, it remains a useful device. The ability of ceiling fans to achieve a cooling effect without consuming a lot of power is what keeps them relevant. Ceiling fans are available in a wide range that this review will look at in a bid to narrow down the best options for users.
How Do Ceiling Fans Work?
Ceiling fans look like simple designs from the outside, but a lot goes on to achieve the cooling effect. One vital element to point out in this review is that ceiling fans don’t actually cool the air, meaning that they don’t do anything to change the temperature of the air.
The blades slice the air, pulling the cold air upwards while forcing the warm air down, which evens out the atmosphere in a room. It is because of the wind chill effect from the fan that you feel cooler. The downdraft facilitates evaporation of sweat, so it is really your body cooling rather than the atmosphere. Ceiling fans have settings that allow the user to adjust them for a downward or upward draft.
The blades in ceiling fans are responsible for slicing the air and creating a draft. For this reason, their design and rotation are critical to the functioning of a fan. The blades are shaped such that one part is turned upward.
As the fan rotates, the upturned side of the blade should lead. In instances where ceiling fans are used for heating, the set up of the blades is in reverse that is with the downturned part leading. The blades of a fan connect to the motor using blade irons or arms. Some ceiling fans have a rotor instead of blade arms.
The flywheel is the component that connects the motor shafts and the blade arms. A lock screw keeps the inner ring of the flywheel attached to the motor shaft while the blade arms connect to the outer ring using bolts. Ceiling fans also need mechanisms to mount them, which vary across different types. Ball-and-socket, U-bolt and J-hook are examples of mounting mechanisms. Some ceiling fans require rods to suspend them for the best performance.
When you switch on a ceiling fan, the electric motor starts, resulting in an electric current. Metal coils in the motor spin when they become electrified, which, in turn, creates a magnetic field. A rotating force from the magnetic field is transferred to the blade arms/irons and then to the blades, forcing them to turn. The blades should rotate counter-clockwise to generate a cooling effect and clockwise to keep a space warm.
Advantages and Applications
This review helps homeowners get the best from ceiling fans. A ceiling fan is best for cooling during the hot season, but it has its benefits in the cold season as well.
By altering the settings on ceiling fans, you can maintain some degree of warmth during winter. For this reason, it is best to get a fan that allows you to change the orientation of the blades.
Ceiling fans don’t just help with keeping the air comfortable in your home; they are best for lighting as well. Light fixtures have become standard in modern ceiling fans. A lamp is installed on top of the motor and encased in a housing.
You can use the fan to layer the lighting in a particular room. Homeowners even have the choice of coloured lights that can set the ambience in a certain space.
Energy efficiency is one of the biggest justifications for getting ceiling fans. Even though the temperature doesn’t change, the enhanced air circulation goes a long way in decreasing energy usage.
Types of Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans come in different configurations that provide varying solutions for users. Various elements, including the number of motors, blades and size of the appliance dictate the types of fans on the market. In this review, you can learn about the different kinds of ceiling fans and how to identify the best one.
Hugger Ceiling Fans
Also called low-profile, this ceiling fan is built for low ceilings. Hugger fans are best used on ceilings that are less than 8 feet from the floor. The fans are designed to mount flush on the ceiling directly on the bracket. This installation ensures that the fan clears the mandatory distance of 7 feet from the floor. A low-profile fan would also be the best choice for a vaulted ceiling. A ceiling adapter may be necessary to angle the fan appropriately.
Pros:
- Safe for low ceilings
- Powerful
Cons:
- Not very good air movement
- Hard to decorate
Dual Motor Ceiling Fans
This fan type has two motors instead of one. A central motor has two rods that extend horizontally with each one connecting to a fan head. The best feature of this fan is that the user can set the fan heads to rotate at different speeds. Dual-motor fans offer some decorative advantages as well, adding a modern and stylish look.
Pros:
- Variable speeds on individual fan heads
- Cover a wide area of circulation
Cons:
- High power consumption
Outdoor Ceiling Fans
These fans are specifically designed for outdoor applications. Outdoor ceiling fans can be used in wet or damp environments where humidity is always an issue. You can install an outdoor fan on a patio, sunroom or porch. Note that wet and damp fans are different.
Damp ceiling fans are best for areas that deal with mild humidity. Wet fans, on the other hand, are best for high humidity and precipitation. A wet fan can withstand direct contact with moisture. Make sure to confirm if an outdoor fan is rated damp or wet.
Pros:
- Durable blades
- Can handle wet weather
Cons:
- Expensive
Orbit Ceiling Fans
Orbit fans are some of the traditional designs that were available before the modern solutions. This fan is structured to rotate 369° and look like hugger fans. They mount flush on the ceiling as well. An orbit fan has an encasing around the blades, usually made from wire mesh. Some manufacturers make orbit fans in different designs for that retro aesthetic. Due to the small blades, orbit ceiling fans are best for confined spaces such as motor homes.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Great for decoration
Cons:
- Limited cooling capability
Buyer’s Guide for Best Ceiling Fans
A good review should make it easy for consumers to find what they need. Searching for the best ceiling fans on the market easy when you know what to focus on.
The size of the ceiling fan is an aspect that many people get wrong. You might find the best fan that matches your decor and fits your budget only to realise that it doesn’t meet your cooling or warming needs. Measure where the fan will be installed and use those figures to find the correct appliance size.
Consider the height of the ceiling. For safety reasons, ceiling fans are supposed to be at least 7 feet from the ground. Decide if the ceiling is suitable to install a fan. Note that the height of the ceiling will dictate what type of fan is best. For instance, a ceiling that measures less than 8 feet will require a hugger fan. If the ceiling is too high, then you will have to get a downrod to lower the fan.
Another mistake to avoid is getting indoor ceiling fans for the outdoor and vice versa. Just because the review on a fan you like is positive doesn’t mean it is the best appliance. Identify where the fan would be set up. An outdoor fan is not built the same as an indoor one. Fans staying in outdoor spaces must be rugged enough to withstand the tough conditions. Don’t forget to check if a ceiling fan is rated damp or wet.
Decide if you want remote control with the ceiling fan. The ability to control ceiling fans without having to get up offers some advantages. It eliminates the need to go directly to the installation whenever you wish to change settings.
Testing the Best Ceiling Fans
Before hanging a fan, it helps to know if your purchase was the best. Test the ease of the appliance. Look at the instructions for setting up the fan, how to switch it on and to control the other features. How fast can you adjust the fan from summer to winter mode? If the fan will be running all year, then you want assurances that anyone can operate it without too much trouble.
Test the motor to hear how loud it is. A review may say that a particular ceilings fan is quiet, but that might not be what you get. A low hum might be easy to ignore, but a loud motor can render your living space inhospitable. What qualifies as loud will also vary from user to user. A household with a baby might need the quietest ceiling fan on the market to avoid interfering with sleep time.
For ceiling fans with light fixtures, check if it works correctly. Lights can present all kinds of issues like failing to turn on or flickering. A homeowner should be aware in advance if the lighting fixture needs replacing. Check if the fan is compatible with other light fixtures in case you intend to personalise the installation.
It helps to read a review or two from users who have had experience with the product to learn of any shortcomings.
Consumer Tests for Best Ceiling Fans
A quick look at some tests carried out by an expert review team is crucial to cover the necessary aspects of buying a ceiling fan. In this review, we have comparisons between two ceiling fans from leading industry brands to see how they measure up.
Hunter is among the best fan makers, and it is practical to review one of its offerings. The Valerian 60-inch is one of the top-selling indoor ceiling fans from the brand. Review experts from the Architectâs Guide found out that one reason for that is the quiet operation of the blades. Hunter used the WhisperWind motor, which is known for its almost noiseless functionality.
Because this is a reversible motor, the ceiling fan allows you to adjust it for a downward draft in the hot season and an upward one in winter. The fan comes with a mounting system that makes it easy to install yourself. From the design, the Valerian 60-inch is best for low-angled mounting. Tests showed that a user could adjust the speed of the blades without too many complications.
Review professionals at Excellent Fans Reviews tested the Minka Aire F518L-WH 44″ for low ceilings. The short blades of the fan mean that it can fit a low hanging ceiling without looking like too much. The review team particularly liked the full function remote control that eliminates the need to operate the fan directly. This fan comes with three blades that deliver a powerful performance. It is also suitable for ambient lighting thanks to the energy efficient LED light that is encased in a glass opal housing. The review concluded that the light negates the need to have an extra fixture on the ceiling, which saves money and power.
When conducting the review of the best products, the type of motor was one element we looked at. The kind of motor used on a fan influences its performance and noise levels. Our review team considered the technologies that manufacturers applied to decrease the level of noise that ceiling fans generate. The settings that a particular fan comes with are important. If a homeowner wants a ceiling fan that can switch from summer to winter mode, then the unit must have the correct settings to facilitate it. The size of the room is another consideration when deciding how good a certain fan is at cooling. For example, the 44-inch fan works best in a space measuring up to 225Â ft2 while the 60-inch can satisfy the cooling requirements of a room that is 18-foot long.
During the review, one of the aspects where ceiling fans had a large difference is the blade size. The ability of the fans to cut through the atmosphere depends in part to the design of the blades. These components are measured by their length, which then affects the blade sweep. The standard range is 30″ to 60″.
Lighting fixtures in ceiling fans have become wildly popular as we found out during this review. All manufacturers will have models that include a bulb attached to the motor housing. The ability of ceiling fans to act as lighting installations as well is a big reason they are still on the market. Combining the two functions is cost and energy efficient and most brands leverage this.
Brand Check of Best Ceiling Fans
The best way to find a ceiling fan that meets your cooling requirements is to know, which brands to focus on. Ceiling fans went out style for a period and then returned due to the need for energy efficient cooling solutions. Now the market is filled with manufacturers offering fans for domestic, commercial and industrial applications. This review presents some of the brands to consider for residential fans.
- Hunter
- Craftmade
- Kichler
- Fanimation
- Fantasia
- Minka Aire
- Emerson
- Tommy Bahama
- Monte Carlo
- Quorum International
A Few Facts about Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans go back a long way. They can be traced to 500 BC India where punkah fans were used to move the air around to cool it. The rotary fan made its first appearance in the 1860s where a water-run turbine was responsible for turning the blades. This model of the ceiling fan gained popularity because it could house several fan units. Commercial spaces such as restaurants, stores and offices invested in it.
The electric-powered ceiling fan was a massive success, especially in the US with manufacturers coming in to offer more. Hunter, Westinghouse and Emerson are some of the brands that got into the business of ceiling fans. With time, Diehl made improvements, which included the addition of a light fixture to the fan. By WWII, fans had evolved from two-blade to four-blade units. The addition of two blades allowed fans to operate without too much noise. They also enhanced performance because they circulated more air.
By the 1920s, the use of electric fans had spread across the globe. However, the Great Depression saw ceiling fans go out of fashion due to the introduction of electric air conditioning. Regions outside of the US continued to enjoy the convenience of fans. In some areas, air conditioning units were a luxury. H. W. Markwardt started importing fans from India in 1973. At this time, England fan manufacturer, Crompton Parkinson had patented the 20 pole induction motor, which made the most energy-efficient fans in the world.
During the late ’70s and the beginning of the ’80s, the energy crisis struck, forcing consumers to seek highly efficient means of cooling. Home and business owners invested in fans to help lighten the load for air conditioners, which reduced their power consumption. The renewed demand for ceiling fans brought more players into the industry, and that facilitated the evolution of fans. Manufacturers started including unique designs into their creations to meet the growing needs of users.
Maintenance Tips
Any review worth reading should offer advice on how to get the most from a product. Keeping ceiling fans in optimal functioning condition requires proper care during their lifetime. Here’s how.
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Safety Tips
Always remember to follow safety procedures when taking care of ceiling fans. Use the best ladder when trying to reach the ceiling. You can have another person present to look out and hold the ladder if necessary. Also, it is best to clear the immediate area where you will be working from to remove falling and tripping hazards. Switch off the fan before approaching it to reduce the risk of electric shock. When brushing the fan blades, use a long brush to avoid stretching too far as you try to reach every part of the appliance. When dismantling the unit, handle the components carefully because some like motors are sensitive.
FAQ
How many blades are best for ceiling fans?
Three blades are standard because they offer good aerodynamics, but that configuration can generate wind chop in some models. Five blades are best in such instances.
Why is the remote control turning on and off?
Interruption or the remote tuning into another frequency may be the reason for the malfunction. Ensure no two remotes in the house are on the same frequency.
Why is the ceiling fan making a clicking sound?
Loose parts are the most usual causes of clicking sounds on ceiling fans. The mounting mechanisms might not be properly secured, or a screw/nut might be loose.
Can one remote control more than one fan?
It is possible for a remote to operate multiple ceiling fans. However, doing this comes with a risk of interfering with the frequency.
Can you get a custom-sized downrod?
Most brands will have downrods in standard sizes, but you can have it cut to the best size for your fan installation.
Why is the fan humming but not spinning when turned on?
This problem arises from a faulty capacitor. A spoilt capacitor will allow power to reach the fan but not starting the motor.
Do ceiling fans lose their speed over time?
Yes. The best way to tell if a fan needs replacing is to check the speed. Reduced speed may not be noticeable right away, but the air circulation will change.
Can you use a light fixture from a different brand?
Some ceiling fans have screws in the middle section of the motor casing that make it possible to attach a light fixture from another manufacturer. However, review the compatibility of the lighting with the fan.
Does an outdoor fan need a separate light fixture?
If it’s a wet ceiling fan, meaning that it will be exposed to the element, then yes, you have to get a weather-resistant light fixture.
Why does the light on the fan come on then turn off?
Some ceiling fans have wattage limits, meaning that using a bulb that exceeds it will cause a malfunction.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceiling_fan
- http://ada19851985.proboards.com/
- https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/ceiling-fans.18580304/
- https://homereference.net/ceiling-fan-maintenance/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Oil-a-Ceiling-Fan