Electric Fans Buying Guide

Whether you're trying to stay cool in the summer or just want to up the air circulation, an electric fan  is a great way to stay comfortable while cutting down on energy costs. They have a few benefits over air conditioners ; these are portable enough to put anywhere  in your home and come in various sizes depending on your needs. Buying a fan  sounds like a pretty standard process, but there are some things to think about when purchasing. Read on to find out more!

A Few Things to Consider

• Noise: If noisy fans are an issue, get one that can stay quiet  while operating at higher speeds.
• Durability: Be sure the stand is sturdy and the blades don't crack or bend easily. However, if you choose to assemble  your own fan, some models have blades  that you can pick out according to your needs.
• Even Distribution : A good fan evenly distributes the air-- whether warm or cold-- throughout the whole room.
• Power: For desk fans, look for a model with 70 or more watts. Larger box fans should have at least 150. For reference, over 300 watts could be considered industrial grade.
• Size: You can get industrial strength fans  or mini fans.  Think about the size of the room and how many people are going to be in it. Do you need to move the fan around?
• Features: Special features now include a remote control and timer. 

Types of Fans

Window Fans  These are designed to fit right in your window  and can help utilize air from outside to provide a nice breeze in your home.	Oscillating Fans  Oscillating fans are great when you want to rotate air throughout a room.  They may not do the trick for larger rooms, but smaller spaces like office cubicles or bedrooms may be significantly cooled down by this moving fan.	Box Fans  Box fans usually have bigger blades and therefore supply a more powerful airflow. Put this model in the back of the room for a strong, stationary breeze.	Clip-On Fans  These portable fans can clip on to your desk,  table,  or bedpost.  They are useful for providing a small breeze that blows directly on you, but may not have too much power due to their size.

Ceiling Fans  Typically these work well for cooling down a room, and can help to pick up the breeze when the windows are open as well. They come in varying speeds and can be useful when you don't want to turn on the air conditioning but you need to cool down,  whether indoors or outdoors.	Power Fan  When you need to cool something down quickly and efficiently, a power fan is your best bet. These are typically used when cooling down appliances or other items, not necessarily when placed in rooms.	Tower Fans  This is a very efficient way to cool a room as it keeps the air flowing while filtering for dust, pollen, or other irritating airborne particles. They also aren't much more expensive than a regular, well functioning electric fan.

Major Manufacturers

• Bionaire 
• Emerson 
• Honeywell 
• Hunter 
• Soleus 
• Vornado 
• Westinghouse 

Fantastic Fans

Lasko 2220 20" High Velocity Floor Fan  This fan may be small in size but it has a lot of power.  It is made of durable steel and has three separate speeds.	KNG HSM Hugger Ceiling Fan  This fan is especially fun for younger kids; it's decorated with pictures from High School Musical  and features a decorative pull chain with three speeds.	Honeywell DY-012 Duracraft Tower Fan  This tower fan oscillates and has three speeds to effectively cool your home. Easy operation and slim size make it great for any space.	Lasko 3012 12" Oscillating Wall-Mount Fan  This fan mounts on your wall easily without the use of tools. It is extra quiet and durable enough to withstand prolonged use.	Honeywell HV-120 Pro-Series Utility Dual Power Fan  This fan is a high-powered model with two units and three speeds for an all-around breeze.

Stay Cool

You can bring a fan out on your patio, but it probably won't do much good. Below, a few items to keep you cool while outside.

Umbrellas  A nice patio umbrella to go with your outdoor furniture can help you to accomodate guests and hold BBQ's outdoors while still offering shade  from the heat.	Sun Shades  Shades are like large sheets  that can be hung up across large areas and help to block you from the sun and its rays. These sheets are also designed to hold up through all kinds of weather, so they won't rip.	Canopies  Canopies work well for outdoor picnics or fairs as they can be assembled just about anywhere and have a large shade  covering them overhead. They guarantee protection from the sun with a roof and don't require as much set-up as a tent.

Related Guides

Air Conditioners These are good for larger rooms of if you are looking to cool off an entire house. They range in wattage and style and are usually designed to fit in your window.	Dehumidifiers If you live in a humid environment or you find that your home is very damp, a dehumidifier can be a nice solution.	Air Purifiers Air purifiers are great for people with allergies or those who just want cleaner air in their home.	Humidifiers If you find that your residence is extremely stuffy or dry, this might be a worthwhile investment. They can help to add moisture to otherwise dry and stagnant air.