If your home isn’t set up very well for the hot summer months yet, now is an excellent time to think about ways to change that. Air conditioning is one element of staying cool, but it’s also helpful to have ceiling fans. Fans are cheaper to run, don’t drain as much power, are affordable, and easy to maintain, too.
However, there are many different options on the market these days, making it tricky to know which products to choose for your home. Read on for five of the key types you need to know about.
Standard
As the name implies, standard ceiling fans are the typical style that’s easiest to find. Many options abound, and they come in every type of color and style, meaning you don’t have to look far to find a fan perfect for your home’s architectural style and your décor tastes. You can choose this type of modern ceiling fan product in finishes such as natural, pewter, brushed nickel, antique bronze, or black or white, among others. Plus, there are fans that work perfectly with homes that have a coastal, farmhouse, modern, traditional, or contemporary vibe, to name just a few.
As you explore options, you’ll see, too, that you can buy fans with lights integrated into them and those that suit either flat or sloped ceilings. Most standard ceiling fans come with four or five blades, but this factor is customizable, so you can choose an option that best suits your needs.
Daul-Motor or Multi-Head
If you need to cover a wide ceiling area in your home, you might decide to shop for a dual-motor fan. This type features two distinct motors and gives off a bit of a two-headed creature kind of look. Each motor sits on a horizontal rod attached to a central motor housing unit. On the ends of the rods are adjustable fan heads. The benefit of this style is that you get double the airflow, which is handy in an ample space, plus you can target the direction of the fan heads and set each at its own speed.
Or, consider multi-head ceiling fans. These products are so named because rather than having larger blades that swirl parallel to the ground, they have at least two smaller fans built into them. These compact fans are more like wall-mounted units in that they rotate around a center point. If you like retro design styles, this option may appeal, too, because their style gives off that old-school, nostalgic feel.
Remote Control
Most appliances these days come with remote controls so they can be turned off and on and sped up or slowed down without owners having to move from their seats. Ceiling fans are no different. Many products come with remote controls standard, in addition to the older-style pull cord or wall switches.
We might like this design because it allows us to be a bit lazy, but such functionality also benefits those with mobility issues or other physical limitations. They work nicely when you have rooms in your abode with very high ceilings, too, such as towering entryways. In these spots, it pays to have remote control units you can use to adjust the speed or direction of fan blades or to turn incorporated lights on or off without hassle.
Low-Profile
Some properties, though, have areas with lower ceilings than the norm. For instance, such roofs often are a factor in attics or older-style homes where ceilings were regularly less than eight feet tall. A low-profile fan can be the most suitable product choice for these abodes. “Hugger” or flush-mount ceiling fans, as they’re also called, get installed right onto a mounting bracket rather than using a downrod that hangs from the ceiling.
This manufacturing choice means that fans can, in turn, keep above the recommended floor clearance needed for ceiling fans. They also don’t take up too much visual space in a small-sized room, which is helpful. Low-profile options provide less air movement than you’ll get in lower hanging devices, though, because blades sit closer to the ceiling. However, they can still help cool rooms down and work effectively when combined with air conditioning units for a short time to get the temperature lowered ASAP.
Damp and Wet
Lastly, you might need to shop for damp or wet ceiling fans. These appliances are specifically created to work in areas where the elements can be a factor. For instance, they’re popular in decks, sunrooms, patios, covered porches, and other types of semi-enclosed zones. Damp or wet fans can withstand humidity and indirect precipitation because their motors are purpose-built to resist the damage that would traditionally get caused by moisture. Furthermore, the blades are all-weather designs that won’t warp from extreme temperatures or too much sunshine, etc.
Think about these five types of ceiling fans the next time you go to choose new products for your home or your investment properties. Talk to retail staff for tips on selecting the best options for your place if you’re unsure which ones will work best.
