Usually we wait until the first 100 degree day before we even consider going to the store to get some house fans. In our heated stupor we stumble through the closest department or household goods store with a giant Slurpee in our hand and buy whatever fan is left off the shelf. Then we just settle with whatever that provides until the heat wave is over and we realize just how little we like that fan. This year let’s put a little more forethought into our planning and have the coolest house on the block when this year’s heat comes around.
The Ceiling Fan
A ceiling fan is great for cooling (and heating) the entire home. While it certainly has more upfront cost it’s going to improve the generally atmosphere of the house. A ceiling fan isn’t particularly good at improving a miserably hot day because the air isn’t directly blasted at your face. Instead it moves all the air equally around the room. Depending on the direction the fan is turning it can either push hot air down from the ceiling (bad on hot days, good on cold days) or help keep the hot air up high. The ceiling fan should be used to improve the efficiency of all your heating and cooling systems.
The Stationary Fan
This is the cheap fan that just sits there and blast air at you. If the air in your home is hot, this won’t do you much good. To improve how it works it either needs to suck in cooler air (if available anywhere) or you can put water on your skin, the moving air evaporates the water off your skin which sucks heat from your body. If it’s only you in a room this a good cheap choice.
The Rotating Fan
This fan works just like a stationary fan, yet it moves back and forth from 45 degrees to 360 degrees. This are helpful if the majority of people are sitting in a living room setting, yet is annoying every time the fan stops pointing your direction. The other aspect that is often overlooked is the sound of the fan. Since these fans are often placed in entertainment rooms, it can become annoying to listen to music, television, or your company over the sound of the fan. Insist the store allows you to try the fan before you purchase so you can determine if you find the sound irritating.
Each of these house fans has their advantages and disadvantages. Enjoy your shopping trip before it gets to hot and find the fan that’s right for you.