Fans Buying Guide

Last Updated

Fans Buying Guide

Fans, also known as air circulators, provide effortless cooling in a variety of situations. They are powered machines, which create a flow of air through rotation of blades. By circulating air around a room efficiently, fans provide a constant feeling of freshness. New technology and the latest features have made fans a viable cooling option available at a fraction of the price of Portable Air Conditioners and Evaporative Air Coolers.

If you're just looking for the best fans on the market, check out our Top 10 Fans

How Does a Fan Work?

As mentioned, fans work by circulating air around a room. They consist of a rotating assembly of blades and a hub called a rotor. The rotor is contained within the housing. The housing can direct the airflow, ensuring safety by preventing the fan blades touching objects. Ventilating the ambient air of a room naturally stimulates the movement of cold and warm air flow.

This variation of flow causes an overall lowering of the temperature to provide a sensation of cooling and freshness. The more volume of air is displaced, the stronger the feeling of cooling. The potential volume of air that can be displaced depends on the size and power of the fan. It is important to consider that fans, even of a high power, are not able to significantly lower the temperature of a room as well as an air conditioner. 

Types of Fans

Tower Fans – are ideal for cramped spaces due to their tall and narrow shape. They offer an oscillating mode so the cool air can be circulated throughout the room, or in one area. They are safer for households with young children and pets, as the blades are safely concealed. They are strong and sturdy, capable of strong air output and are favoured for their quiet noise operation.

Desk Fans – are perfect for individual use in the office or at home when quick efficient cooling is required. They also have an oscillating feature to spread the cool air around the room. They can simply be turned on and the refreshing airflow will be noticed immediately.

Pedestal Fans – are larger than Desk Fans making them better for covering bigger rooms. They consist of a large blade inside a housing unit that sits on top of a stand, allowing a wider range of oscillation to spread the cool air. Many Pedestal Fans are height adjustable making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

Floor Fans – are larger than Desk Fans but smaller than Pedestal Fans and can cool down rooms of all sizes. Most Floor Fans will resemble a Pedestal Fan minus the stand, with an open design allowing more air to be drawn through the fan. They feature more powerful motors with variable speeds, to cool the room faster.

Ceiling Fans – as their name suggests, suspend from a ceiling and have the ability to cool whole rooms, making them great alternatives to air conditioning systems.

Tower Fans vs Pedestal Fans

In general, Tower Fans have more and better features such as night lights and purifiers compared to Pedestal Fans. They also come in a variety of styles, sizes and are normally much quieter. However, Tower Fans are generally less powerful than Pedestal Fans and have a smaller output size. If you are looking for a fan similar to the Dyson Air Purifier, check out our new Devola Bladeless Fan.

Pedestal Fans are more powerful than Tower Fans as they have much bigger blades giving them more airflow output. This makes them an ideal choice for larger rooms. The direction of the airflow can also be easily controlled without the need to physically move the unit. However, Pedestal Fans tend to be much louder than Tower Fans. They also have limited features and variations in terms of style and size.

Key Considerations For Your Fan

Fan Power - A combination of two key factors determines how powerful a fan is: the size of the fan and its speed settings. The higher the power output of your fan, the higher the airflow will be. Desk Fans have the lowest airflow, Tower Fans and Floor Fans are in the middle, and Pedestal Fans have the highest airflow.

Fans by Room Size - A small fan suits a small space, while a bigger fan is suits a larger space. If a fast, portable cooling solution is needed in a bedroom, pedestal fans work well because the height can be adjusted and angled so the unit is facing the bed (with the fan facing one direction or oscillating around). On the other hand, Tower Fans tend to suit living room areas because they’re more compact and can be positioned out of the way.

If something more permanent is required for the home, a Ceiling Fan is a cost-effective way to cool bedrooms and living rooms. Ceiling Fans require a ceiling height of at least 2.1 - 2.4 metres to perform best, and the fan may need to be lowered if the ceiling is higher. Ceiling Fans also consume less electricity than air conditioners, and most Pedestal Fans and Tower Fans (depending on which fan speed they are using). Fans with a DC motor are the most efficient to run.

Fan Speed - A fan with higher speed settings and a higher wattage provides more power and airflow.

Fan Noise Levels - It is important to take consideration of the noise level a fan will produce when operating. A loud desk fan can break your concentration while working, with the close proximity of the fan making the noise more noticeable. It is essential to look at a desk fan with a quiet noise level. If you are looking to cool down your bedroom so you can sleep peacefully at night, a Tower Fan is the best option as they are the quietest models. Tower Fans are generally quieter than Pedestal Fans, and come with many night modes.

Note: It is always important to check the room's requirements against the fan's specifications before purchasing.

Additional Fan Features

Oscillating Head – a rotating fan head which ensures all areas are covered.

Speed Settings – multiple speed settings to control the amount of air being displaced.

Tilt Action – allows a fan to be manoeuvred in various directions.

Timer – controls the operating time of a fan. Some fans also feature a sleep timer program to switch the fan off late at night whilst sleeping.

Remote Control – allows the fan to be controlled conveniently from a distance.

Noise Level – how loud a fan is on a certain speed setting.

Protective Cage – A safety feature to protect small children and pets.

Reverse Speed – reverses the speed of the blades to heat a room to an even temperature.

Integrated Lights – light fitting option that some fans may come with.