Ceiling Fan

Motor size is one of the most important factors determining the ability of your ceiling fan to keep you cool. Many motors are undersized for the job or poorly constructed. Not only can this make your fan less efficient, but if the fan starts humming or clicking, the problem is probably the motor. To make sure you are getting a good motor, take a look at the warranty. For heavy duty motors that are used in the best ceiling fans, the manufacturer backs up the product with a lifetime warranty on the motor.

FEATURES of a:

Die-Cast Aluminum Motor:

1. BEST AIR MOVEMENT! 14° blade pitch (Pushes 8,000-9,000 cubic feet per minute)
2. Larger Stator (188mm x 20mm)
3. Precision Die-Cast Aluminum Motor. PROVIDES THE LONGEST LIFE due to "cool" running of aluminum enclosure. Extremely quiet because aluminum does not resonate like steel.
4. Precision Bearings. Engineered bearings provide lowest resistance and friction for virtually no noise!
5. Die-Cast Zinc Housing. Runs quietly and smoother with less vibrations due to higher weight volume of housing. Die-cast surface allows for higher quality finishes.
6. NO RUBBER FLY-WHEEL NEEDED! Precision aluminum motor is so perfectly balanced, rubber flywheels are unnecessary!

Large Stamped Steel Motor:

1. Good Air Movement. 12°+ Blade pitch ( Approximately 7,800 cubic feet per minute)
2. Large Stator. (188mm x 15mm)
3. Stamped Steel Motor. Larger size motor and quality windings make for longer life.
4. Precision Bearings. Engineered, higher quality bearings allow for far lower noise.
5. Die Cast Zinc Housing. Runs smoother and more quiet with less vibrations due to higher weight volume of housing. Die cast surface allows for better finishes.
6. Rubber Fly-Wheel. Reduces "wobbles" and dampens virtually any noise.

Medium Stamped Steel Motor:

1. Medium air movement. 11°+ Blade Pitch. (Approximately 6,600 cubic feet per minute.)
2. Medium Sized Stator. (153mm x 16mm - 172mm x 14mm)
3. Stamped Steel Motor. Better, longer life due to increased motor size and better quality windings.
4. Better Quality Bearings. Makes for less noise and longer motor life.
5. Stamped Steel Housing.

Small Stamped Steel Motor (the type found at typical home center/mass merchant.):

1. Very Low air movement. Only 10°+ Blade Pitch. You can barely feel the air flow...even at high speed.
2. Small Stator. (Only 153mm x 13mm)
3. Stamped Steel Motor. Emits a great deal of noise and traditionally has a short life due to small size and poor quality windings.
4. Bearings. Non-precision bearing results in noise and short life.
5. Stamped Steel Housings: Creates more noise due to vibration caused by thin stamped steel. Less stable due to lower weight.
6. Windings. Has fewer, lower quality wire windings. Causes inefficient use of electricity and more wear and tear.

Blade Pitch:

In general, the greater the angle, or pitch of the blade, the more air the fan will move. You should be looking for blade pitches between 12 and 16 degrees. The combination of a heavy duty motor and high blade pitch make a well engineered fan. Be careful of judging the quality of the fan based on blade pitch alone. If the fan has a small motor and high blade pitch, the force of pulling the blades through the air will not only slow down the motor but eventually that motor will overheat from working too hard. At our verdor-partner's facility, every fan is carefully engineered to an ideal combination of motor size and blade pitch.

Blade Construction:
Ceiling fan blades should be made of multiple layers of pressurized hardwood to eliminate warping. Some less expensive blades are made of particle board, which looks great in the beginning but will bend and warp with time. As the blades warp, there is a tendency for the fan to wobble and make noise.

Motor Housings & Finishes:

Ceiling fan body housings are either die cast or stamped steel. A die cast housing adds to the stability of the fan and is especially important when the fan uses a downrod longer than 6" to accommodate a taller ceiling. The additional weight of the housing helps to stabilize the fan. The die cast housing also helps deaden motor noise and adds to the lifetime of a fan. Stamped steel housings, while less expensive, are more likely to wobble and make noise.
Remote Control
Controls:

While this may be the last thing you think of when purchasing a ceiling fan, the correct controls make the operation of your ceiling fan much more convenient. The controls allow you to change the fan speed and light intensity of your fan. Controls are classified as basic pull chain, hand held remote control or wall control. If your ceiling fan is going in your bedroom, a hand held remote control helps you make the adjustments during the evening without getting up. In other rooms, either a wall or remote control will keep you from having to reach for the fan every time you need to make an adjustment. This will become especially important if your fan is centered over a table or other furniture.

Installation:

Correct installation contributes greatly to the efficiency and life of your fan. This vendor's Fan Experts can explain the correct installation procedures to you when you purchase the fan. If you are still not comfortable installing the fan yourself, we offer installation services in most areas at a very reasonable cost.

Design Trends
Fans have always served a great function...circulating air. Now we can look to fans as more than just a functional fixture.

Fans have become more stylish than ever before. With the growing popularity of fans, designers have created looks that coordinate with every kind of decor. They are more appealing than they ever used to be. Finishes are no longer limited to white and brass. Trendsetters are opting for brushed nickel, steel and pewter. Other popular looks include earth tones like rustic copper, bronze and old brick. Blades are available in oak, weathered pine, maple, black, white, almond, even silk and nylon sailcloth. And light kits have been designed to fit with some of the hottest trends - art deco, mission and Asian. People are getting away from traditional types and are going to more ornate fans that are more like showpieces. Conventional pull chains have been replaced with a wall mounted control or a hand-held remote control. There are fans for damp locations such as screened porches and wet locations such as gazebos. Design leaders look at fans from the statement the fans make.

SOURCE: our merchant partner, LampsPlus

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