A ceiling fan is a commonly overlooked home appliance. We install one and it keeps worth for years, sometimes decades. Only periodic maintenance is required, like cleaning the fan blades or replacing of the capacitor from time to time. It’s a simple appliance but choosing one isn’t as easy as it may seem. You have to consider the dimensions of your room, the fan size, blades and even the material. These days, you can find ceiling fans with classy designs and smart features that can make choosing the right model confusing. This buying guide intends to make buying ceiling fans simpler.
Finding the right size
Ceiling fans are more affordable to operate, than air conditioners and the right size can make a difference. A small ceiling fan in a large room may not be effective, while a big fan in a small room will create massive amounts of erratic air circulation. First, gauge the size of the room. There are ceiling fans in different sizes, but the most common ones measure 600mm, 900mm and 1200mm.
A 600mm fan is suitable for a room up to 100sq ft. This size is perfect for smaller bedrooms, kitchens, hallways or office cabins. A 900mm ceiling fan is suitable for rooms up to 200sq ft. You can install them in a master bedroom or your dining area. A 1200mm fan is suitable for large areas like living rooms or lobbies.
You might have heard bigger is better, but this thought doesn’t go well with ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can be found in 1400mm and 1600mm sizes, but their longer blades often restrict their speed. They also consume more electricity and are only good if you are looking for a gentle, steady breeze. In larger spaces, you could opt for two smaller fans for an effective airflow.
Choosing the number of blades
Blades might not be the first thing to look at while buying a fan, but they do impact the aesthetics, acoustics and performance. Fans with fewer blades are lighter and create less drag, which means they can rotate faster and deliver more air effectively. Fans with more blades tend to consume more energy, but they are quieter and more balanced than models with fewer blades. Both have pros and cons, so you need to gauge what best suits your need.
In most cases, 3-blade ceiling fans are friendlier on the pocket. They are also aesthetically pleasing and can run at high speeds while consuming less energy. Fans with four or five blades tend to be stylish, and they are generally more expensive than 3-blade models. More blades can increase the drag on the motor, resulting in less effective airflow. Such fans are more suitable in rooms with air conditioners to move the cool air around.
Aluminium vs copper winding motors in fans
While looking for a ceiling fan, you are likely to see features like copper winding or aluminium winding. Aluminium winding fans are generally less expensive but have a shorter life span. Copper winding fans are more durable and consume less power, however they are generally more expensive.
Most conventional ceiling fans run on a single-phase induction motor. However, these days ceiling fans ship with BDLC (Brushless Direct Current) motors. Such fans generate more torque while consuming 70 per cent less power than typical ceiling fans. They have a slightly higher price tag as they run on an expensive electronic speed controller. Such fans are lighter than conventional ceiling fans and operate more silently. As BDLC motors don’t heat as much, they also tend to last longer than regular ones.
Features you shouldn’t miss while buying ceiling fans
Ceiling fans have had basic features but new-age fans come with smart features, premium designs which requires less maintenance.
Smart features
If you forget to turn off ceiling fans before leaving home, smart models can be perfect for you. Such fans come with Wi-Fi and internet support, giving you the flexibility to control them from your smartphones. Some ceiling fans are also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. You can control them using voice commands. Higher-end models also let you create customizable schedules to save energy and bring down energy bills. Some even use motion sensors that turn on the fans only when the room is occupied.
Non-dust ceiling fans
Ceiling fans are friendly to run but hard to clean. Non-dust fans aims to solve this, with blades coated with nano-paint which reduces dust accumulation up to 50 per cent. Such fans are much easier to clean by simply using a cloth to wipe them.
Designer ceiling fans
Ceiling fans have sported simple designs but these days, fan models complement the colours and vibe of your room. They come in a variety of colours and styles. Some even come with inbuilt LED lights, so they can also be an easy replacement for a lamp or chandelier.
These are all the things you need to know before you get your new ceiling fan. You can explore a variety of ceiling fans under one roof at your nearest Reliance Digital store. You can also explore our offerings by visiting www.reliancedigital.in.
