Blog
Ceiling Fans for the Win! Tips, Tricks, & Favorites
Steamy days and sweltering nights that’s what summer is all about, right?
While we’re grateful for the invention of air conditioning, let’s face it: closed windows and recycled air aren’t necessarily the look-and-feel we’re going for in July and August.
Luckily, there’s a better option to get us through the dog days of summer: the ceiling fan.
Ceiling fans offer many benefits beyond the obvious:
- Energy savings: It takes less energy to operate a ceiling fan than an AC unit. Ceiling fans use a tad more energy than your typical 100-watt lightbulb. And energy-saver fans use even less than that.
- Comfortable cool-downs: A ceiling fan can lower the feel of a room by eight
- Cozy warm-ups: Winter might be a distant memory, but those harsh, cold days will be here before we know it. While it might seem counterintuitive, running ceiling fans during the winter months can keep your home toasty warm (and save on your heating bill to boot).
- Multi-functions: Ceiling fans with lights can offer additional ambient lighting to your room.
- Gorgeous options galore: Who says you have to sacrifice beauty for function? Certainly not the manufacturers of today’s ceiling fans.
- Cool automation features: More and more of today’s fans offer smart options that allow you to program them through an app on your phone or tablet.
Why Ceiling Fan Direction Matters
So why do ceiling fans help us feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter? It’s all about those twirling blades, specifically the direction and speed.
During the summer, you want your fan to move in a counter-clockwise direction, because this will force the room air down, resulting in a cool breeze on the skin. When it’s really hot, choose a faster speed.
In the winter, the blades should move clockwise, which helps draw the cold room air up and warmer air down.
Not All Ceiling Fans Are Created Equal
Don’t skimp on quality. A well-made ceiling fan is an excellent investment because it’s built to last a long time, and it will save on energy bills over the long haul.
Here’s What to Keep in Mind as You Shop for Ceiling Fans:
- Blade pitch. A wider blade with a higher angle (“pitchâ€) will move more air.
- Motor quality. Look for a well-established company that offers a warrantee.
- Energy Star rating. Look for the Energy Star rating because this will indicate the fan meets airflow standards, provides a satisfactory warranty, and offers 50% more efficiency than a conventional fan.
Want an Easy Place to Start? Consider The Modern Fan Co.
As its website states, “The Modern Fan Co. is the original and premier source for contemporary ceiling fan design, producing the most extensive collection of modern ceiling fans available.”
Here are a few of our staff favorites from The Modern Fan Co.
1. The Altus. The Altus fan comes in three sleek finishes, and you can choose from 42-inch or 52-inch blade diameters (the latter of which is ideal for moving air in larger rooms). See the Brushed Aluminum in person at Wolfers Waltham. A 20-watt LED light engine is available as well.
2. The Ball. We keep this stocked and shown in Aluminum (with the 52-inch blade diameter; it’s also available in 42 inches; a 20-watt LED light engine is also available). The hugger version is perfect for lower ceilings.
3. Modern Fan Torsion. Have you seen the Torsion before? The sleek industrial look with white or wood blades is stunning. Check it out in Gloss White in Waltham.
A couple of additional nuggets:
- Finishes are generally the same across the product line and components can be used on most fan models, making it easy to pick up parts if needed.
- Full customization on special-order fans means that you can choose the finish, blade diameter, how low it hangs, and how you would like to control it and if you would like a light kit.
Questions? Stop by Wolfers in Waltham and let’s chat. Or read this post for info on how to choose a fan depending on the size of your room. Plus, we include additional ceiling fans that we’re “fans” of from another great manufacturer: Minka-Aire.
0 Comments | Blog