Different Type of Fans – What Will Be Your Best Choice?

By
Carolina Evans
Carolina Evans
Research Writer
Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s ho read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Richard Powell
Richard Powell
Expert Consultant
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may read more
Last updated: August 29, 2023
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What do you use for cooling your home? For many people, an air conditioner is a go-to solution for their home cooling needs. However, these are often expensive and not everyone can use them. Apart from the initial cost of purchase, you also have to think about how much electricity you would spend while running the AC. Fans Trusted Source How many types of fans are available? - CCOHS There are two main types of exhaust fans:
Axial Fans: These fans look like propellers and draw air straight through the fan.
Centrifugal fans: These fans look like “squirrel cages” that draw air into the centre of the fan and exhaust it at a 90-degree angle.
www.ccohs.ca
are the next best thing and come as wonderful alternatives to the air conditioner. There are different type of fans, which can make it somewhat hard to know which to buy. Well, in this post, we will consider each of the best options on the market.

We will consider the features and use of each type. Therefore, you will not be too confused about which of the models to select. After reading this comprehensive article, you will have all the necessary knowledge needed about the most popular options that are used in the house and other places.

The Types of Fans

There are several types of fans, and here we will review each of the most popular. The review will help you to know the pros and cons of each type.

Ceiling Fan

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?The first type of fan that we will consider is the ceiling fan. This fan is the basic and most popular type of fan. As a mechanical fan, it is ancient when compared with several of the rest. However, it is still the most popular type of fan.

As the name implies, ceiling fans are installed on the ceiling. Installation varies from simple to hard. Most ceiling fans are set up using a solid rod and are high up than the heads of most folks. Getting the best performance from your fan involves that you hang it at a good height. We recommend that the fan be set up at least 8 feet from the floor of the space.

As ceiling fans are ran on electricity, you have to connect the fan with the outlet box that lies on the ceiling of the apartment. Once the installation is completed, your fan is ready to get to work.

Ceiling fans often come with an ON and OFF switch. It rotates in either direction, depending on the model that you buy. Hunter Minimus is rated by buyers as one of the best ceiling fans on the market.

There are two main types of ceiling fans. These are the AC motor and the DC motor fan. Let us consider what each of these are.

  • DC Motor ceiling fan is a fan that can rotate in either direction. This means that it can rotate in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. It is the more versatile of the two kinds of fans. So, when you are in the summer, you can have this fan rotate in the anticlockwise direction to provide cool air. In this case, the air is in downward direction.

On the other hand, when you put it in the clockwise rotation function, this will allow the fan to suck up the air. It thus will help to heat the air. It comes in very handy in the cold months. Therefore, DC motor fans are some of the most versatile options.

  • AC motor fan is a ceiling fan that rotates in an anticlockwise direction alone. Therefore, it lacks the versatility of the DC motor fan. Apart from that DC motor fans are more efficient energy-wise, compared to the AC motor ceiling fan.

Where can you use this fan? It is a versatile option that can be used in different places, ranging from a garage to your patio, and so on.

Pros of Ceiling Fan:

  • It is durable
  • Ease of installation
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Great for small spaces
  • Useful in all seasons
  • Powerful

Cons:

  • Capacitor requires frequent changing
  • Dated design
  • Noisy

Tower Fan

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?The next type of fan is one of the most popular options on the market today. Many people prefer this type of fan to the others because of the features that it usually comes with. Due to the design, you find that these are lightweight and slim. Therefore, they can fit into small spaces and offer portability. You can easily transfer the fan from one place to another without any fuss.

One of the best things about these fans is that it does not come with blades that you can see, like a normal fan. In most cases, it is designed in a cylindrical form that will house all the blades and the motor. Therefore, the blades are usually very quiet and invisible. If you have pets or children, these are excellent fans since they can’t get injured by the blades.

The tower fan is powered by a motor and blows air via the impeller blades. With these, air can move more quickly. Also, the design of the blade will help to push the air in either upward or downward direction.

Due to their compact and noiseless design, these fans are great for the bedroom or living room.

Pros:

  • Beautiful, sleek design
  • Easy to set up
  • Low noise level
  • Safe to use
  • Easy to maintain
  • Lubricated motor

Cons:

  • Relatively low durability
  • Lower power

Pedestal Fan

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?The pedestal and tower fans are very similar in terms of functions and operation. However, where the tower fan comes in an attractive, sleek design, the pedestal fan does not offer that. Instead, it looks like the regular fan as the blades are open to see and it is not as portable. The main advantage that pedestal fans have over the tower fan is that it lasts longer and has more power.

The head of the pedestal fan is where most of the necessary parts are housed. It is coupled with a long rod and as a base that ensures stability. Most of the time, it is this base that contains the main design of the fan. With a pedestal fan, you can adjust the head, the rod, or the base. You can change whether it rotates or you can determine the height of the fan. Either way, you can determine the airflow of the fan.

Due to the more powerful motor and design, this fan can blow powerfully in whatever direction you want. You can adjust it to direct the airflow. They offer better and more powerful oscillation than your regular tower fan. You can have the fan rotate up to 180 degrees.

According to most reviews, the sturdiest model must be the Rowenta VU5670, which, thanks to its reinforced construction, is the most reliable option out there.

In the past, pedestal fans didn’t come with some of the features that you have now. However, the latest options are available with remote control and some even have an LCD. With these features, it has become more enjoyable to use pedestal fans.

If you are looking for a fan that can be used outdoors, then we believe that you’ll have an excellent time with these fans. It is also versatile enough to be used in the living room or other areas. However, you have to keep in mind that this fan produces a fair amount of noise.

Pros:

  • Very powerful fans
  • Efficient air circulation
  • Easy to clean and pull apart
  • Durable
  • Decent portability

Cons:

  • Needs a large space
  • Can be dangerous to kids or pets
  • Noisy at highest settings

Window Fan

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?These are excellent types of fans that are quite different from the others we have reviewed so far. These fans are made to be installed in the window flame. Due to the design, the fan can be in installed in the window of different spaces around the home. You can set it up in your bathroom, your bedroom, or some other space.

We like the window fan because it helps to cool a room without using plenty of energy. Therefore, it is more efficient to use than the other types of fans that we have considered.

A consideration of several of the window fans on the market reveals that they are often fitted with a pair of individual fans. One of the fans works to pull on the air from outside and will spread the air in and around the room. The other fan will work to remove the room hot air in the room and will ensure that the whole room remains cools.

What about the blades? Well, these come in two, threes, or as single fans. Either way, they do a good job of making the room cool all the time.

When buying a window fan, there are some features that you must look out for. One of the more important things to consider when making a buying choice is to ensure that the fan comes with an auto-reverse feature. This is what will ensure that it will remove the hot air and blow in cool air.

When choosing a window fan, you must also select one that comes with the right CFM rating. If the rating is not sufficient, then it would not work right in the space. Hence, check out that you have the correct rating.

As we have pointed out, this type of fan is perfect for spots like the bedroom, the living room, and similar places. It should be noted that they work best as a secondary fan.

Pros:

  • Ensures fresh air
  • Quite
  • Easy to clean
  • Safe
  • Doesn’t take up loads of space

Cons:

  • Difficult to install

Table Fan

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?As you might have inferred from the name, this is a small, portable fan that is best used on a desk. Due to the small size, it is best suited for one person. It is often found in an office or for someone that works on a desk.

Many of the table fans on the market come battery-operated and are rechargeable. It mimics the different types of fans in several aspects. For example, you can tilt and adjust the head of the fan. It also comes with good oscillation that boosts cooling.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Impressive airflow for the size
  • Affordable
  • Easy to clean and maintain

Cons:

  • Noisy
  • Not safe for kids

Exhaust Fan

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?The exhaust fan is a unique type of fan. In most cases, this fan is found in the kitchen or the bathroom. A main purpose of this type of fan is to ensure that the air quality is maintained. However, it does more than that. It will ensure that the smells of the kitchen or the bathroom do not overwhelm the space. They will also help to eliminate excess moisture in the air and improve the purity of the air.

These fans are used in the bathroom and kitchen because in most cases, the air found in these places is humid.

It is important to have such a fan in these locations. The humid air can spoil your appliances and might affect your walls and the ceiling. By using these fans, you can reduce the growth of mold and other effects that come from the humidity.

How do these fans work? Well. They work by rotating really fast and dragging the warm and hot air outside. Since the rotation is pretty fast, you will discover that the fan gets rid of the humid air very quickly. With these fans in place, you can rest assured of a nice time in the kitchen and bathroom.

There are several models of these fans. The best types are often fitted with a thermostat that will adjust the speed of the fan based on the room temperature.

Pros:

  • Fast rotation
  • Built to last
  • Ensures good air quality in humid conditions

Cons:

  • Difficult installation

Misting Fan

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?At first glance, you might not be able to tell the difference between a misting fan and a regular fan. They come with similar features. However, as the name implies, these fans come with the ability to create a mist in the air. Unlike the regular fans, they are made with a high-pressure water pump. The water is transformed into fine mist. Therefore, there is no worry about getting the clothes wet.

If you are buying models that are designed for indoor use, you find that you can refill the fan. For outdoor models, they often come with a connector for your hose or water tank. Misting fans are also available for commercial uses. These are usually very portable, especially when compared with the other types of fans.

These fans come in cooling forms that use evaporation to cool the air. When you use a misting fan, you can rest assured that the air will remain cool for an extended time or for as long as you use the fan.

Most of the people that don’t like misting fans are worried that they might make their clothes or appliances wet. However, that is not often the case. If you are having a hot time on a hot day, a misting fan is just what you need to make everywhere as cool as possible for you.

However, these fans come with some drawbacks. For one, it is not a good idea if you stay in a humid place. It would simply increase the level of moisture in the air.

Pros:

  • Can double as a humidifier
  • Good for outdoor cooling
  • Soothing

Cons:

  • Not for humid spots

Bladeless Fan

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?Another type of fan that you will find on the market is the bladeless fan. This type of fan is not as popular as the other types of fans, but that is slowly changing as more people enjoy using them. These fans, just as the name suggests, do not have any blades.

One of the most popular type of this fan is the Dyson fan. It has the blades and the motor at the base of the fan and is not visible to anyone. It works similarly to a vacuum as it sucks the air through the base of the fan and amplifies the air before it blows it back out.

These are highly versatile fans that might even come with ionizers and an air filter. Some have timers and thermostats, along with the ability to change the speed and oscillation.

Pros:

  • Stunning design
  • Easy to clean
  • Very little chance of injuries

Cons:

  • Costly
  • Lower blowing power

Wall-Mounted Fans

Different Type of Fans - What Will Be Your Best Choice?Do you live somewhere with limited space, either on the floor or the ceiling? Then the wall-mounted fan might be the best type of fan for you. These fans come with the ability to be installed on the wall and will fit into your compact space with very little hassle.

The design of these fans is similar to what you get from a pedestal fan. Thus, you will find that these come with blades covered by a mesh.

Pros:

  • Great for small spaces
  • Versatile
  • Portable
  • Easy setup

Cons:

  • Not for large spaces

Final thoughts

So there you have it: the type of fans you will find on the market. We hope that this comprehensive review will help you to choose the best for you.

References

1.
How many types of fans are available? - CCOHS
There are two main types of exhaust fans:
Axial Fans: These fans look like propellers and draw air straight through the fan.
Centrifugal fans: These fans look like “squirrel cages" that draw air into the centre of the fan and exhaust it at a 90-degree angle.
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