To cope with the hot and humid climate, ceiling fans have been a staple in the Australian home for decades.
They have many benefits, including reducing your home’s energy and electricity consumption while also doubling as home decor.
Ceiling fans come in all shapes, sizes and designs, including pull cords, timer or aluminium and straight or curved, meaning there will be one that will complement the aesthetic of your home.
Here at Home Fires, we carry an extensive range of ceiling fans from Hunter Pacific, Mercator and Martec to suit a whole range of rooms and styles.
However, when it comes to finding the right ceiling fan for your space, the wide range of features and brands on offer can be overwhelming. That’s why we have put together this easy ceiling fan guide to help you make that decision, whether it be for comfort or home decor.
An Overview of the Fan
Although ceiling fans may now be obsolete in a few places around the world with the advancement in air conditioning, they still remain a simple and affordable source of respite from the hot and tropical climate of Australia.
The concept of the ceiling fan isn’t actually as recent as you may think either.
The ceiling fan dates back to as early as the Roman Empire, where human-powered palm frond ceiling fans existed.
In the 17th century, a similar type of fan known as the ‘punkah’, originated in India, where a palm frond or cloth-covered frame hung from the ceiling that moved when a servant pulled a cord.
The ceiling fan then moved from human power to the power of steam and turbine until German-American Philip Diehl changed the ceiling fan game forever in 1889 with the electric powered ceiling fan.
Moving now into the specifics of fans today, a ceiling fan doesn’t really reduce the space air temperature like an air conditioner but instead circulates the air inside the room by creating winds which create a cooling effect.
This means they can work alone or complement the use of an air conditioner by further circulating the cooler air.
As briefly mentioned already, the ceiling fan comes with many benefits, both for the home and for you. These benefits include:
- Improving the décor of living spaces while also delivering reliable and efficient performance
- They are cheaper as an initial investment than an air conditioner and the electricity consumption of a ceiling fan is also significantly lower than an air conditioner
- In the case of a power outage, ceiling fans can be very easily used with a regular battery backup compared to an air conditioner which can not be
- In the case your air conditioner breaks, ceiling fans can act as a backup to ensure you always have the ability to keep your living spaces cool
Ceiling fans make for great additions in both your indoor and outdoor living spaces, so it is important to know which fan is the best fit for your space before installation by considering things like size and material.
Indoor Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans will be the most efficient when they are similar to the size of the room simply because the amount of air circulated by a ceiling fan is determined by its diameter.
This means the bigger the room, the larger the fan’s diameter needs to be for the most achievable comfort.
Small rooms (100 square feet or less)
Small rooms like home offices and laundry rooms are ideal for smaller ceiling fans that range from 30 inches to 48 inches.
From our range:
Large rooms (400 square feet or less)
Large rooms like living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens are ideal for medium ceiling fans that range from 48 inches to 54 inches.
From our range:
Great rooms (400 square feet +)
Great rooms like shared offices, open-concept living areas or lofts are ideal for large ceiling fans 56 inches or larger.
From our range:
Another thing to consider when installing an indoor ceiling fan is lighting.
If the living space has good natural lighting or ample light from other sources, a ceiling fan without lights is a good option. But don’t worry, if you would like more lighting in the future, many ceiling fan models are easily modified to install the lighting you require.
If you need a ceiling fan with already integrated lighting, make sure to look around for the lighting specifics that suit you. Many ceiling fan models with lights have the dimming ability so you can set the mood for any occasion.
Outdoor Ceiling Fans
Outdoor ceiling fans have become popular in recent years, being an efficient way to provide excellent cooling to patios and pergolas and also doubling as a way to keep the insects and mosquitos away.
Although outdoor fans can be used indoors, indoor fans cannot be used outdoors, so choosing the right one can be tricky.
By knowing how to look out for the following things, choosing your outdoor ceiling fan doesn’t have to be a difficult task.
- Motor – The motor of the fan you choose needs to be sealed against moisture ingress or water penetration. It is also mindful to look at a product’s IP rating, the internationally recognisable water ingress and penetration rating.
- Material Composition – Your outdoor fan should be made of aluminium or stainless steel, with stainless steel fasteners. You should note, though, that stainless steel does require maintenance and regular cleaning, but aluminum on the other hand will be trouble-free.
- Blades – Like the body, your blades need to be made of weather-resistant material. Timber blades will absorb moisture, which will unbalance the fan. Outdoor fans usually have UV resistant blades, which keep them protected.
- Salt Spray Tested – Living near the ocean is another factor to take into consideration because not all outdoor fans are resistant to salt spray, so check if the fan you choose has been salt spray treated.
From our range:
- Martec Liberty 56″ IP55 Rated Outdoor Ceiling Fan
- Hunter Pacific Aqua DC IP66 70″
- Mercator AC Phaser 36″ LED Light
Summary
The ceiling fan concept is not a new one and with its efficiency and affordability, it remains a staple in the Australian home, with even more sizes and designs available today.
The ceiling fan can be used on its own, as home decor, and even as a way to complement the air conditioner to ensure your living space is as comfortable as possible.
When selecting an indoor and outdoor ceiling fan, aspects like the material, design and size must be considered seriously before installation. If not, your fan could be inefficient or easily damaged.
Simply contact us today to learn more about our wide range of ceiling fans to make sure you choose the right one for your living space.
