Fans

Frequently asked questions about Fans

• What is the definition of a fan?

  Let's keep it simple. A cooling fan is your summer day superhero. It's a device that's all about keeping you cool when the sun decides it's time to turn your living space into a sauna. How does it do this? By using electrically powered blades to whip up a breeze, circulating air in the room. This breeze helps evaporate sweat from your skin, making you feel cooler. Fans come in various shapes and sizes, from compact desk buddies to larger, room-dominating beasts.

• Is there different types of fans?

  Although fans don't lower the temperature, air circulation evaporates moisture from the skin - leaving you feeling cool! The best fan for you depends on your needs and preferences. There are four main types of fans: desk fans, pedestal fans, tower fans, and floor fans. Consider room sizes, noise levels and your household when finding your perfect fan:

  1. Desk fans are compact and portable, designed to be placed on a desk or bedside table. Desk fans are great for personal cooling in small spaces, providing a direct and focused breeze. They are also relatively quiet and energy-efficient.
  2. Pedestal fans are larger and sit on a stand, hence they are also known as stand fans. They are height-adjustable with a rotating head, while oscillating functions distribute air over a larger space. Pedestal fans are versatile, being suitable for both personal use and larger rooms. Stand fans are usually higher spec, with additional features like remote controls and adjustable speed settings.
  3. Tower fans are tall and slim, with a vertical, sleek design that takes up less floor space. With widespread airflow, tower fans are great for larger rooms. They often come with multiple speed settings, oscillation functions, and additional features like timers, air purification filters and bladeless designs which are safe kids and pets.
  4. Floor fans are similar to pedestal fans but without the adjustable stand. Simply place them on the floor for powerful airflow at a lower height. Floor fans are often used in garages, workshops, or larger areas that require heavy-duty cooling. They are larger and more robust compared to desk, pedestal or tower fans.

  And there you have it - now you just have to choose the fan for you!

• What are fans used for?

  Fans are used for circulating air, this allows your sweat to evaporate faster and leaves you feeling cooler. Although an electric fan doesn't technically cool the air, you'll feel cooler as a result!

• Are fans better than air conditioning?

  When considering how best to keep cool, keep in mind your room size, climate and personal preferences. There are a number of advantages to both fans and air conditioners:

  1. Cooling effectiveness - air conditioning lowers the temperature of a room, making it effective at keeping large spaces cool, at a consistent rate. Fans don't actually reduce temperatures but create a cooling sensation by circulating air around, making them better suited for personal use.
  2. Energy efficiency - AC require a significant amount of electricity to run, especially in hot climates and larger houses. Fans consume much less energy.
  3. Climate and humidity - air cons help dehumidify rooms, whereas fans are suited to drier climates.
  4. Air quality - air conditioning systems often include air filters and purifying functions to capture dust, pollen and other allergens. If you suffer from hay fever, asthma or pet allergies, consider an air conditioner.
  5. Noise levels - fans are usually quieter compared to air cons. You can find a quiet fan by filtering through the features. However, quiet air conditioning units are readily available.
  6. Size - although portable air cons are a great choice, fans are usually more compact and accessible. If humidity isn't a concern, you could also consider a portable and compact air cooler, which cools air using water or ice.
• Is it better to point a fan up or down?

  Ah, the eternal fan dilemma! Pointing your fan. If you're looking to circulate air in a room, pointing your fan upwards is the way to go. Why? It spreads the air around more evenly. Avoiding that direct, galeforce wind effect and promoting a gentle, room-wide coolness. However, if it's a straight, no-nonsense blast of air you're after, especially on those hot days. Pointing it downwards, directly at you or your area of choice, is your best bet.
  
  But hold on, there's a game changer. The oscillating fan. Imagine a fan that moves side to side, covering every nook and cranny of a room with its cooling breeze. That's the oscillating fan, it takes the best of both worlds. Set to oscillate, you'll get the benefits of moving the cool air around without having to choose between pointing up or down.
  
  To summarise, up for a gentle, room-cooling gentle breeze. Down for a full-on, personal blast of air. Or an oscillating fan so you don't have to make these decisions.