Why Buy a Ceiling Fan?

Ceiling Fans - Used since the pre-air conditioning days, ceiling fans are an inexpensive, easy to operate and easy to install. Plus ceiling fans provide substantial savings on energy. Used by themselves in mild weather, ceiling fans offer a low-cost alternative to modern air conditioning. Used in conjunction with air conditioning in hot weather, ceiling fans combine old and new technology to keep your family comfortable and your utility bills low. When it's warm, the blades of a turning ceiling fan normally push air downward, causing cool air near the floor to travel outward and mix with air at the edges of the room. This process makes for more even cooling, and just the air movement from a ceiling fan in the room alone, can make it feel cooler by four degrees or more! That means if you are using air conditioning along with your ceiling fan, you can set the thermostat at a higher than normal setting to save on energy costs.

The average ceiling fan uses about the same electricity as a 100-watt light bulb, so you can run one ceiling fan for just pennies a day. If you use it in the summer, however, keep in mind that it does little good to run it when you're not around. The ceiling fan really isn't cooling the room. Like a breeze on a hot summer day, it's the blowing air from the ceiling fan moving across your body that makes you feel cooler. That same cooling effect caused by blowing air currents keeps many people from using their ceiling fans in winter. But most fans have a switch that changes the direction in which the ceiling fan blades turn. Instead of forcing air downward, the ceiling fan blades will push air up toward the ceiling, where hot air normally rises, and drive it back down around the edges of the room. That can result in more even heating and better heat circulation will help to combat the problem of sweating windows that some homes experience in the wintertime because of condensation on the glass.

So a ceiling fan can be useful in both summer and winter but only if you purchase an effective ceiling fan, will you see the results. Before you buy a ceiling fan, be sure to make sure the ceiling fan has all of the following characteristics: 

The Ceiling Fan Motor

When you are comparing ceiling fans, the motor is the very first component you should consider. Why? Because the motor is the heart of any ceiling fan. The fan motor turns the blades that move the air. It is the part of the fan that does all the work. Poor motor design can create most of the problems that are associated with ceiling fans. If the ceiling fan has an annoying click, buzz, or hum during operation, the motor is the most likely culprit. A fan motor that works too hard will burn itself out and a motor that is too powerful will be inefficient, wasting energy. Ideally, a ceiling fan should be designed to strike a balance between power and efficiency, ensuring that the blades are the proper pitch to move large amounts of air. Of course, different motors are designed for different operating conditions. Casablanca's motor was designed, engineered, and manufactured by Casablanca exclusively for ceiling fans. It has proven to be quieter, more powerful, and more efficient than other ceiling fan motors. Plus its precision ball bearings are permanently lubricated for maintenance-free operation. The Casablanca motor is the best you can buy and it comes with a lifetime warranty which means the motor is guaranteed for a lifetime of efficiency and comfort. However, Casablanca Fans are the most expensive ceiling fans on the market and other brands of fans are of high quality and offer the same Limited Lifetime Warranty such as Hunter Fans, Emerson Fans and Minka Aire Fans.

The Ceiling Fan Blades

A fans blades are another of its most important components. They can compliment a room's decor, like fine furniture does, but they must also perform effectively. The quality you want in a fans blade is not merely cosmetic. The amount of air movement from a ceiling fan depends on the blade pitch (the angle of the blade). Look for a blade pitch of at least 14 degrees which is excellent for maximum air movement efficiency. But be careful with some ceiling fan companies. An inexpensive fan that has a 14 degree blade pitch probably does not have a motor powerful enough to move its blades, and the motor can quickly burn itself out. Blade construction is also important. Many ceiling fan companies use cheap blades constructed of particle board or even printed paper and, contrary to what you might expect, solid wood blades are not the answer, as they can warp over time and lead to noise and wobble. Casablanca and Hunter have solved this problem by using a multi-layer hardwood veneer or painted blade finish and high-impact molded blades for outdoor settings. Finally, you have to consider blade balance. Unless each blade is the same weight, your fan will wobble. All Casablanca and Hunter blades are weighed and matched to within one gram before leaving the factory. Other manufacturers such as Craftmade, allow you to purchase your blades separately whereas you can choose the blade finish, blade quality and size.

The Ceiling Fan Lighting

Most ceiling fans are purchased to replace existing light fixtures. Even if you are putting a ceiling fan in a new home or on a ceiling where a light fixture did not exist before, you will probably want lighting with your fan. Some ceiling fans are designed with built-in (integrated) lighting. Others are available with light fixtures as an option. Most manufacturers make more than 30 styles of light fixtures and fitters and offers a wide selection of decorative glass that allow you to customize your ceiling fan to your style and decor. In this way you can choose a coordinated look when you buy your fan, or add lighting at a later time. It is better to choose a ceiling fan and lighting fixture from the same manufacturer to ensure the finish matches. Do not assume that just because it says "antique brass" on one manufacturers light fixture box that it is the same "antique brass" finish another manufacturer offers. Also, be sure you choose lighting that will enhance your room decor and meet your lighting needs. Different rooms have different light requirements. You probably want bright lighting for your kitchen and bathrooms. In dining rooms, dens, and bedrooms, you may want the lighting to be more subtle and subdued. In fact, you may want to put the lights on a dimmer switch so you can adjust the brightness to fit your mood. Many ceiling fan fixtures offer halogen lighting, for a bright, natural light source. This brings up another point: how will you control your lighting? Some manufacturers such as Casablanca, Hunter, Minka Aire, Emerson and Craftmade offer a number of ceiling fans with an integrated remote control or wall control system that allows you to conveniently operate the fan and the lighting. You will also want to take a look at the warranties offered with the light fixtures you purchase.

The Ceiling Fan Details

Little details can make a tremendous difference in the appearance of your ceiling fan. Casablanca offers distinctive die-cast components and durable, high-quality finishes (not thin, sprayed-on finishes as found on some manufacturer's fans). Carefully examine the ceiling fans you are considering. Consider precision form, fit, and finish; the care and attention to detail in manufacturing and assembly; the concealed hardware and scores of other distinctive quality touches. Some fans are even packed with light bulbs and screwdrivers, everything you need to install and enjoy your new ceiling fan.

The Style of Ceiling Fans

Fans are more than just household appliances. Though discussing motor and blade construction may determine your long-term comfort and satisfaction, a ceiling fan can also be a striking, beautiful addition to your home. It can be the center of attention in any room, or an heirloom-quality showpiece your family can enjoy for generations to come. The design and styling of a fan may even be your primary consideration, coordinating with your room setting.