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Choosing the right fan for your home

A fan, or air circulator, provides effortless cooling in homes during warmer months. These practical devices will get air moving around, keeping your room well-ventilated and preventing inhalation of fumes or particles that could be harmful. By circulating air efficiently, fans are able to provide a feeling of freshness.

Aside from being efficient, fans are cheaper than coolers. While choosing a fan may seem straightforward, the wide range of options available on the market can make it challenging to find the right fan for your space. Worry not – we've created this easy guide to help you find the perfect fan.

What fan types are available to choose from?

Your search for the right fan starts by understanding the various types of fans available on the market. There are numerous varieties of fans you can choose from, depending on your needs and room size. Below, we look at the various types to help you choose the right fan for your home or office.

Ceiling fans

By far the most popular type of fan, ceiling fans are the preferred option for cooling in most homes and offices. As the name suggests, ceiling fans hang down from the ceiling, circulating air in the room. Since they are suspended from the ceiling, you don't need to worry about obstruction, and you don't need to pack them away during winter. Ceiling fans are also good for people looking for a fan that contrasts and works well with their existing décor theme.

Portable fans

Best suited for cooling personal spaces, portable fans are easy to transport and can be placed on floors, tables, desks, and countertops. They can be used to circulate air in a room or between rooms. The most common types of portable fans are box fans, pedestal fans, and desk fans. Pedestal fans are height adjustable, and the size of their blades allows them to circulate air in large rooms. Desk fans are compact and often used to provide quick cooling. Just plug it in, and you're good to go. Box fans are smaller than pedestal fans but larger than desk fans. These fans usually sit on the floor and can cool rooms of all sizes.

Window fans

Window fans work by either pushing hot air out or pulling cool, outside air in, depending on how the blades have been configured. These fans are usually installed on windows facing the prevailing wind or directly opposite. You can also use two fans, one blowing in and the other blowing out on opposite sides of your room, to create cross ventilation.

What material should you choose for your fan blade?

The fan blade is one of the most important components of a fan. While the size and number of blades play a crucial role in the performance of your fan, the material used in the construction of the blade is also important. The weight of the fan blade, for instance, can affect the ability of the fan to blow air. Generally, heavier blades move air more efficiently than lighter blades. Noise is another crucial factor to keep in mind. Below, we take a closer look at the various materials you can choose for your fan blade.

Wood fan blades

Wood is one of the most common materials for fan blades because of its rigidity and longevity. Blades made from wood also produce minimum noise when they move through the air, so they are best suited for bedrooms and living rooms. However, these fans have reduced airflow. However, most manufacturers compensate for this downside by infusing wood with plastic. This also prevents the wood from warping or being affected by moisture. You can also find fan blades made from modified woods like MDF.

Metal fan blades

Strong and durable, metal fan blades cut through the air with a lot of ease. As such, they are best suited for large rooms with higher ceilings. However, they are nosier and not ideal for bedrooms. Ceiling metal fan blades tend to weigh more, so they need a stronger motor to rotate them. In addition, metal tends to rust or corrode when used outdoors, in coastal or regions with high air moisture content. If you live in these areas, choose stainless steel options. Chrome is another excellent option for those looking to add function, style, and shine to their rooms in one swift blow.

Plastic fan blades

Plastic is another common material for fan blades. This material can be molded into virtually any shape. As such, you can choose from a huge range of design options. In addition, plastic is lightweight, making it easier to install the fan. The motor capacity will also be lower. Unlike metal and wood blades, plastic blades are easy to clean and will not be affected by harsh weather conditions.

Styling ideas for choosing the right fan

Choosing products that pair well with your home style and design is crucial in creating a functional, beautiful, and timeless home. Fans are items that often get overlooked, but they can help create a seamless home when put together nicely. Here are a few styling ideas to help you select a fan that matches your home décor theme.

The disappearing act

Fans are available in a variety of materials, colors, and finishes. The wide range of options makes finding the perfect style for your home easier. When looking for the right fan for your home, you first need to decide whether you want a statement-making unit or one that would blend with other elements of the room. If you’re a fan of clean lines and seamless finishes, you can go for ceiling fans that match the color of your ceiling. The fan will disappear against the ceiling instead of drawing attention.

Make it a focal point

If you want to make your fan a focal point, contrast its material or color against your room’s walls or ceiling. Select a fan that works well with other finishes or colors in your space to create a cohesive look. You may want to match your fan to finishes like door frames, lighting fixtures, window frames, door handles, and other elements in the room. Choosing a statement-making piece will create an instant impact in your room.

The shape of the blades

Fan blades come in all shapes, from thin and curved to sleek. Keep in mind the feeling you want to bring out or the shape of other items in your room. Fans with clean lines make great choices for minimalistic or Scandi-style homes. On the other hand, curved options look great in coastal-style homes. Go for a fan shape and material that works well with other finishes in your room to give it a complete look.

Size matters

Selecting the right fan size for your room is crucial to ensuring functionality. In addition, the size of the fan will affect the look and feel of a room. Fans with slim lines are versatile and can fit seamlessly in smaller to medium rooms, while larger fans will oversized blades create a resort-style look and feel.

What other factors should you keep in mind?

Apart from all the important points mentioned above, there are a few other things you need to keep in mind when shopping for a fan. Here are a few vital questions you need to ask yourself.

• Where do you want to use the fan?

Your choice of a fan will be influenced by the room you want to use it in. A pedestal or ceiling works well in a living room or large room. For the bedroom, choose a tower fan or any low-noise fan. On the other hand, a desk fan with a lower power output is best suited for an office setting.

• What kind of airflow do you need?

The airflow of a fan is directly proportional to its power. The higher the power, the higher the flow rate. This is usually indicated as cubic meters per minute (m³/min) or cubic meters per hour (m³/h). Most small desk fans have a flow rate of 15 m³/min. For living rooms, choose a fan with a flow rate of 150 m³/min.

• What noise levels can you tolerate?

All fans make noise! No single fan is completely silent. It's crucial to think about the kind of noise level that is tolerable to you. Of course, this also depends on where you place the fan. Staying cool is great, but only when the fan is making less noise. For bedrooms, go for the quietest fans. Note that noise levels vary from one model to another, so be sure to read to specifications of the product. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). Typically, noise levels that exceed 60 dB would be unpleasant to the ears.

Shop the perfect fan online

Here at vidaXL, we boast an extensive selection of superior fan designs to keep your home or office cool. Our commitment has always been to provide top-of-the-range products for our customers. Our range of products includes fans in different materials, shapes, sizes, colors, and prizes. So, whether you have a small or large room, you’re guaranteed to find a fan that will provide sufficient air circulation to your space.

For those looking for a fan that will add style and elegance to their space, we have something for you. We have a range of sleek fans in beautiful finishes that are certain to match your existing décor theme.