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A Ceiling
Fan is essentially: "An appliance wrapped in furniture".
Do you want your ceiling fan to: Look nice, perform well, or both? Even in
famous brands like Casablanca, Emerson and Hunter you will find a big range of
price and quality. Make sure to choose the right ceiling fan for your
application.
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Deconstruction
1. Fan Mounting
2. Fan Exteriors
3. Fan Blades
4. The Motor
5. Flywheel
6. Blade Arm
7. Switch House
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Contemporary |
Traditional |
1. Fan Mounting:
It is always
better to have a ceiling fan mounted with a short down rod on ceilings 8' to 9'.
"Flush or Hugger" mount ceiling fans limit airflow, and tend toward smaller
motors.
2. Fan Exteriors:
Styling is the biggest difference here. Some ceiling fans offer "Die-Cast"
housings versus "Stamped" housings. Die-cast housings have a richer finish color
and quality.
3. Fan Blades:
Most Ceiling Fans have MDF or particle board with a "wallpaper" finish. The best
quality ceiling fans offer real furniture grade hardwood blades in a variety of
styles and colors.
4. The Motor: It
all depends on where you are installing the ceiling fan, and what type of
performance you are expecting.
5. Flywheel: This
feature is only offered with Stack motor (Emerson K55XL) ceiling fans. This free
floating blade system assures years of quiet operation.
6. Blade Arm:
Blade irons are specific to each model of ceiling fan. The pitch or angle of the
blade iron is determined by the strength of the motor.
7. Switch House:
This is the very bottom portion of a ceiling fan where the light fixture is
attached. Most ceiling fan light fixtures are interchangeable from one brand to
the next.
The "Lifetime" Warranty.
Warranties are not a big factor in rating ceiling fans since they do not
accurately reflect quality. Every brand and price range seems to offer
lifetime warranties. When you read the actual warranty information you will
note they offer 1 year on parts and components (the parts that most often
break). The lifetime portion of the warranty is on the motor itself. Lower grade
motors never really burn out, they just move less air and may develop sound over
time (Not covered under warranty).
Fan Man Lighting offers peace of mind. We have worked with all aspects of
ceiling fans, for over twenty years. If there is ever an issue with a fan you
purchased from us (or anyone else for that matter). We promise to solve any
issues as timely and fairly as we can. "We value a referral more than a sale".
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High use "Stack"
Motor (Emerson K55XL)
These are the real ceiling fans, they were responsible in the late 1970s
for bringing the ceiling fan back into use. These ceiling fans are
durable, well constructed, have large motors & bearings, stay quiet, and
typically move functional amounts of air (even at low speed). Expect to
find ceiling fans like these priced from about $300 - $400 for
traditional looks. Designer Styles and finishes range from $350 - $
1,000 plus . You can run these types of ceiling fans continuously for
days or years and they keep working.
If you want
the best level of "Appliance" available select these fans
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Medium to High use
"Pancake" Motor:
Motor size 188mm to 212mm. Fans which are rated Medium to High use were
constructed with price in mind. These ceiling fans are a step
down from High use, but still have a high level of durability and
function. Fans which use a 188x15mm or larger motor, come close to
matching the Performance Grade fans in terms of air movement. These
ceiling fans function well in rooms with ceiling heights up to 12' and
where the normal continuous running time of the ceiling fan is 12 hours
and under. Expect to find ceiling fans like these priced from about $150
- $200 plus for traditional looks with Designer Styles and finishes
priced $300 - $1,000 plus . |
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Medium to low use
"Pancake" Motor:
Motor sizes 172mm to 153mm. Ceiling fans which are rated Medium to low
use have typically been
designed with lower
prices in mind.
Lower grade, motors and other components were selected for price, rather
than performance. These fans are a step down from Medium grade but still
have good durability and function in selected locations. Fan Man
Lighting feels such ceiling fans function well in rooms with 8' ceiling
heights, where normal continuous running time is 6-8 hours and under.
This type of ceiling fan moves noticeably less air than Performance or
Medium grade fans. Expect to find ceiling fans like these priced from
about $49 - 149.99.
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Promotional Grade:
This type of
ceiling fan moves noticeably less air, finish flaws are not uncommon and
nor are sounds when running.These ceiling fans are priced from about $19
+
Fan Man Lighting feels such fans are not useful and will not carry
this grade of ceiling fan. |
Run Times, Typical Period of
On - Off usage of your ceiling fans.
As an appliance,
purchase the correct level of "Appliance" for the job and your expectations. No
warranty or instruction manual is going to say a word about "Run Times" or say
the ceiling fan moves less air. We strongly recommend using "common sense" the
same as if buying power tools, washers and dryers, mattresses, ...etc.
For Example: A
ceiling fan in the dining room runs typically 3 hours or less. A ceiling fan in
the bedroom runs all night.
The fan with a better motor should go in the bedroom.
Taken a step further, kids
can sleep through sounds that drive adults crazy. Put the better fans in master
bedrooms
Ceiling
Fan Suggestions:
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Best
value high use Stack motor:
Emerson CF4800 Series |
This
model from Emerson, offers the best motor (K55XL), most housing and
blade color choices, it even has a built in light on top of the fan
(down light sold separately). |
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Best
value medium use Pancake motor:
Minka Aire
F568
series. |
This
model from Minka Aire, offers one of the best values in Pancake motors
(188x15mm). Available in many colors with optional light kit options. |
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Best
value medium to low use Pancake motor:
Emerson CF712 series. |
This
model from Emerson, offers the best value for medium use areas.
Available in many colors with light kit included. |
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Motor characteristics
Ceiling Fans
with the "Stack" motor use a rubber spoked wheel the blades attach to
called a Flywheel. This allows the blades to "Free Float". This design
cuts down on wobble and vibration sounds.
Ceiling Fans with the "Pancake" or "Direct Drive" motor have the blades
attached to the outer casing of the motor. This rigid mount design can
be more prone to wobble or sound over time (neither is covered under
warranty).
Blade span
It is better to use as long a blade as possible for the area. The most
common blade spans are 52" and 42" diameter. Longer blades offer a more
comfortable, softer airflow. Shorter blades offer a more direct airflow.
The motor makes a difference in the volume of air, not the size of the
fan. |
"Stack Motor" |
"Flywheel" |
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"Pancake Motor" |
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Fan
Myths and common issues:
5 blades are better than 4.
Number of blades only make a difference in the "look" of a ceiling fan. Airflow
is determined by how strong the motor is and the pitch or angle to the blade.
Long Down rods cause
"wobble".
A
fan that moves on a down rod would move with the original short stem. It's a
balance or installation issue. Call us at 1-866-600-FANS(3267) for Trouble
Shooting.
Ceiling Fan "Hum" (Does
your fan know the words?)
The most common problem here is the use of a dimmer or rheostat type of wall
control. Using a control with set speeds will eliminate most issues. Other
problems: blades not installed correctly, something "loose", or an inexpensive
motor.The two owners of Fan Man Lighting have over 20yrs experience each in
ceiling fan and home lighting sales,service,and trouble shooting. Please call or
stop by with any questions or concerns you may have.
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