Fans seem like trivial things, right? If you’re in need of one, you go into the store and pick one up.
In reality, it’s a little more complicated than that. There are a lot of things to consider, from the type of fan to whether it’s freestanding or hardwired into your home’s electrical system. It also helps to know the different types of fans and what their purposes are in advance.
We’re going to take a look at the different types of fans today, giving you some insight into your options when you hit the stores. Let’s get started.
Guide to Different Types of Fans
We’ll start our discussion with ceiling fans. Ceiling fans might seem unnecessary if you’ve got air conditioning, but they do a lot to help cut electric costs and manage the climate of a room.
Ceiling fans aren’t always meant to provide a direct source of cool air. Instead, they circulate air to keep the room from getting too hot, stuffy, or uncomfortable. At the same time, sitting beneath a ceiling fan does help to cool an individual down in a short amount of time.
The trouble with ceiling fans is that they require installation which can get costly. Installation of a ceiling fan is difficult to do on one’s own, so it’s wise to contact a contractor.
Additionally, it’s important to note that there are now smart ceiling fans. These fans operate in such a way that they conserve energy, communicate with other smart devices in your home, and ensure that your home is kept comfortable in the most efficient way.
If you’re going to make the investment of a ceiling fan, we recommend looking at your smart-fan options first.
Bladeless Electric Fans
Tower fans create airflow with a few different mechanisms. The name “bladeless” is a little deceiving, though, because these fans do have blades included in the body.
The device pulls air in through the process of entrainment. This is just another way of saying that the fan draws air into it. The air is then driven through a set of blades in the body of the tower.
That air is then sent through a circular chamber which accelerates the airflow and sends it out into the room. One great thing about this device is that it doesn’t produce a lot of noise.
Additionally, you can place it just about anywhere and it doesn’t require any installation. Many options also come with remote controls, timers, thermostats, and more.
Pedestal Fans
Pedestal fans are those that have a base, a pole, and the fan head attached to the top. Just think of all of the normal fans you’ve seen that oscillate, have a few settings, and sit in the corner of various rooms.
These fans are adjustable, can distribute around your room, and have numerous strength levels that determine how hard the fan blows. They’re clunkier than the tower fans described above, and they require a little more room to function properly.
That said, pedestal fans are a sure bet. They can blow air a lot harder than tower fans can, and they’re easy to understand. Further, the lack of complicated features makes pedestal fans a lot more reliable.
Where a tower fan’s thermostat might malfunction and prevent its use, the pedestal fan is a simple mechanical machine that will work for a long period of time.
Generally speaking, these fans are the choice to go with if you need a good, sturdy fan that you plan to bring around from place to place.
Table and Desk Fans
Table fans are typically used for small workspaces, bedsides, and different settings in offices. They’re small, they produce enough airflow to cool you off, and they’re affordable.
The beautiful thing about these is they’re easy to move from place to place. You can place a table fan just about anywhere that suits you. The airflow that comes from them is insignificant to the other areas of the room, too, which comes in handy.
For example, say that your partner runs cold while you’re sleeping and you run a little hot. You don’t want to change the thermostat or turn on the ceiling fan because it would prevent them from sleeping comfortably.
Place a table fan on your nightstand and direct it at yourself and your partner won’t notice the difference.
In this way, the table fan is a utility fan. They look something like the bladeless electric fans described above. They’re a rectangular shape with a series of vents running down the exterior of the device.
They come in a variety of sizes, so there are small fans like this to suit almost any need you have.
Industrial Fans
The term “industrial fan” encompasses a lot. That said, an industrial fan is generally one that sits low to the ground, has larger blades than your average house fan, and produces a large amount of airflow.
These are the fans you want when your basement floods and the carpet needs to dry out. They’re the fans you’d want to place in your warehouse to cool it down while you’re working in it.
That said, there are options that are a little smaller and can be used in the home environment. If you live in a pretty hot area and don’t have air conditioning, for example, an industrial fan will do a lot to cool any space down.
If you’re a hot sleeper and you need something to cool you down, this could be the fan for you. Plus, there’s a lot of white noise produced by these fans. In reality, they cut out any and all of the noise that’s going on in your house while you’re trying to sleep.
Live near a busy highway and can’t sleep from the sound? An industrial fan is the way to go.
Learn More About the Different Types of Fans
Hopefully, our guide to the different types of fans was helpful to you. Consider your needs when purchasing a fan, and you’ll be pleased with your purchase, benefiting from all that fans have to offer.
We’re here to help you with more information. Explore our site for more ideas on fans that will work for you.
