Fan Buying Guide
June 09, 2023
Every summer without fail, when the warm weather finally decides to make an appearance, our homes turn into greenhouses, collecting heat and making us uncomfortable. So what are we to do? Instead of letting heat distract from your day or interrupt a good night’s sleep, stay prepared by finding the right cooling option for when it gets too warm.
But before you rush to your local Robert Dyas or start browsing online for instant cooling satisfaction, here are a few handy tips to consider when buying a fan, which, if used properly, will help cool your home or office, and avoid the need to consider more expensive and larger solutions like air conditioning.
How much will a good quality cooling fan cost?
You don’t need to spend a fortune to keep cool but for those wishing to invest more, it’s often a case of “you get what you pay for”, which we will delve into further below. As a rule of thumb, a basic fan will cost less than £20 and then go up in price towards the more expensive options.
Which fan is best for you?
In order to help you buy the best fan, there are a few things to consider: the size of the room you want to cool, your design preferences and what features you’d like to have. We’ve listed a few options below for you to consider when making your choice.
What types of cooling fans are available?
Whether you have plenty of space for a fan, or are just trying to keep your office desk area a little more comfortable, there’s a fan design for you! Read on to explore the options available.
Desktop Fans
The desk fan is the classic fan design we are all familiar with. It features a compact base so it can specifically be used on desks, tables and side tables. These models usually move back and forth to help spread cooled air around, so that extra space will be something you’ll have to factor in. If you are looking to cool a small room or a specific area, this type of fan will provide the cooling you need.
Pedestal Fans
The pedestal fan design takes the classic desktop fan and places it on a pedestal. This allows for a wider area to be cooled as pedestal fans tend to feature a wider range of oscillation to spread the cooled air around. These types of fans can cool a larger room or kitchen - just make sure you have enough space to fit them in!
Floor Fans
The floor fan offers a stylish ‘industrial’ look compared to other fans and comes with an open design so that more air is drawn through the fan, increasing the cooled air that is blown out. These styles often feature more powerful motors with variable speeds, to cool a room more quickly. But keep in mind they also take up more space, so are better suited to open plan areas, large rooms and office spaces.
Tower Fans
A more high tech alternative to the pedestal fan is the tower fan. These offer a very compact footprint ideal in small spaces and are often designed with quiet motors, to give high levels of cooling without much noise pollution. Tower fans also feature a sway function so the cool air can be circulated throughout the room, or focused on a particular area. The tower-like style can also be a safer option for those with children or pets in the house, as any rotating blades are safely concealed. Out of all the cooling options available, tower fans provide the most power and can even be remote-controlled from across the room!
Portable Fans
Last but not least are portable fans. These are perfect for short term use in limited spaces such as an office desk, a picnic table or in the car. There are numerous clip-on fans, USB powered fans and handheld fans that can be taken from place to place to be used wherever you need a blast of cooler air.
What features should I look out for in a cold air fan?
Once you have chosen the style of fan that suits your home or office, there are some features worth looking out for on selected models.
- Variable speeds will allow you to control the amount of cool air being produced
- Noise reduction - tower fans are known for being virtually silent and some other types of fans can minimise the whirring noise they make which is something you’ll want to consider if you need the fan on all day or night.
- A remote control - adjust your fan just the way you would your television. If you don’t want to keep getting up to make adjustments, look for a fan with a remote control.
- A timer delay option - incredibly useful if you’re looking to either save energy or limit how much you cool down your interior. If you can’t find a model you like with a timer delay, you can also always use a plug in timer as an alternative.
