Fast read
Ceiling fans are a more economical and energy-efficient option for cooling a home than split-system air conditioners. They move the air throughout a room, making it seem cooler and cosier.
The size of the blades, the number of speed settings, the noise level, the quantity of electricity used, and the volume of air that can be circulated should all be considered when selecting a ceiling fan.
It is advised to have a licenced electrician install the ceiling fan. Not all climates are ideal for ceiling fans, which may not provide enough cooling in extremely hot situations.
Is a ceiling fan a worthwhile replacement for an air conditioning unit?
Ceiling fans are a great invention, both AC and DC ceiling fans. I would suggest that from an electricity consumption point of view, a ceiling fan will need much less electricity than an air conditioning system.
There is a kind of temperature range on some of the summer days and even in late spring and late summer when a ceiling fan can significantly improve the comfort in the house.
So if you build a new home or even in your existing home, maybe look at retrofitting some ceiling fans, for example, in the living room and maybe in some bedrooms, to extend the home’s comfort level without resorting to the more expensive air conditioning both in upfront costs and running costs.
Of course, if you put a huge solar system on your house, you probably can say, well, look, I run the air conditioning guilt-free on the solar all day.
Sometimes, determining how good and efficient a fan is can be difficult. Many models are on the shelf. Most claim great credentials, and some look more attractive than others.
How do I choose an efficient ceiling fan?
To work out the efficiency of a particular model, look at the consumption wattage and how much airflow the fan can create.
If you compare the wattage of one fan and its airflow number in cubic meters with the wattage and airflow of another, you can determine which fan is more efficient.
Interestingly, and not known by many, one gets more airflow per watt from lower fan speeds. So running the fan at medium or lower speeds is more efficient.
Many fan manufacturers provide a table with fan sizes linked to room sizes. For example, a 137 cm three-blade fan is suitable for a 25 square meter room and should give you all the air movement you require to feel comfortable.
The best features of a good ceiling fan
So should you decide that the ceiling fan is the correct item to purchase, maybe even for an outdoor area, the features to consider are:
1) The length of the blades, because obviously, the longer the blade, the more volume it will disperse.
2) The fan speed and the number of settings you can have. As a minimum, you would want the fan to be able to run at two different speeds, but most models nowadays offer three settings.
3) Look at the fan’s noise level at different speeds and settings. This is an essential fact that many people only realise when the fan is installed and makes too much noise. So ask about the operating noise decibels.
4) It’s essential to explore the electricity consumption of the fan and compare models. Given that fans usually run for long periods, more efficient models will save you money over time.
5) How many cubic meters of air the fan can dispose of in a minute or hour will also be an important feature to ensure the fan is the right one for the room you want to install.
So there is more to ceiling fans than many consumers would think.
Ceiling fans are NOT an “Install it yourself ” item, firstly because they need to be installed by a qualified electrician. Second, and 2ndly if you do not balance the blades perfectly, the fan will wobble and make more noise.
Recommendations
We recommend if you think of purchasing a ceiling fan, get in touch with a fan specialist and also book an electrician for the installation. Talking with a fan specialist can advise whether an AC or DC fan is ideal.
