Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Ceiling fans can cost as little as $39.95 all the way up to several hundred dollars, depending on their quality. High-quality fans have several traits that you’re not likely to find for under $100. They move air effectively and quietly. The parts are well designed, made from high-grade materials, and sport lasting, attractive finishes. Motors have several speeds. And, they are backed by a long-term warranty (at least 10 years).
Although fans are rated by the amount of air they move, measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm), these ratings are not terribly relevant because they are not based on universally accepted standards and because a fan is rarely used at full speed.
Movement of air is a factor of the pitch, length, and number of blades; their distance from the ceiling; and their revolutions per minute (rpms). A weak motor can spin short blades quickly if the blades are at a minimum pitch of about 10 degrees, though this type of fan is likely to be noisier than a fan that swirls 14-degree, longer blades more slowly.
The idea is to buy a fan with a motor that is the strong, silent type. Though the best motors have traditionally been made by American companies—General Electric and Emerson— manufacturers in Taiwan have cultivated a reputation for making high-quality motors that rival American-made ones.
Some inexpensive fans sold through mass merchandisers have motors made in China; these have proven to be unreliable, as evidenced by high return rates. Low-end fans lack quality in construction and design—they're likely to wobble and hum even at low speeds.
A motor should have sealed bearings that require no lubrication (these should run quietly for up to 12 years). The best measure of motor quality is a company’s reputation and warranty. Also be sure the fan you buy is listed by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent testing agency.
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