Summer has not come yet, and the heat in the apartments is already making us think about buying an air conditioner. But the air conditioner is not cheap and to install it requires highly qualified specialists. In addition, a modern split system cannot be used to cool an open terrace. A worthy alternative in this case is the ceiling fan. It gently mixes the air without creating dangerous drafts, is inexpensive, and any owner can cope with the installation. In the article we will talk about the varieties of ceiling fans, the features of their design, advantages and disadvantages.
Areas of use
The method of cooling a room with a fan is universal and can be used in various fields. Ceiling fans are used in industry to remove gases from a room, as well as for cooling and heating workshops. Some models are designed to clean the room from smoke in case of fire. Fans are used in public buildings due to their efficiency and lower energy costs compared to air conditioners. Ceiling fans are perhaps the only way to cool the outdoor terraces of summer cafes. The fan does not change the temperature background and does not create drafts, so the body does not experience stress from the temperature difference between the street and the room. It is almost impossible to catch a cold using a fan. Ceiling fans with a lamp are often installed in apartments and cottages for cooling bedrooms and living rooms, as well as open verandas. Such models have a diverse design, so choosing a device for the interior of different styles is not difficult. Ceiling-mounted exhaust fans for the bathroom do an excellent job of removing humid air. They are also used in basements and other rooms where there is no natural ventilation to remove stagnant air.
Benefits
Among the main advantages of using fans in everyday life, the following should be noted:
- Ceiling fans can be used in summer and winter mode. In summer, they redistribute colder air coming from an open window, due to which the temperature in the room decreases. In winter, the fan “returns” the warm air that has risen to the ceiling from the radiators.
- The winter mode of the fan allows saving on heating by increasing the efficiency of distribution of warm air. In addition, ceiling fans consume far less power than domestic air conditioners.
- Fans can be used on open verandas and in arbors.
- The device does not create drafts and temperature differences, so the risk of catching a cold is minimal.
- Exhaust fan models are effective for quickly removing excessively humid or stale air from the room.
- Installing a fan is no more difficult than a conventional chandelier, so any owner will cope with the work. In addition, installation does not require permission, unlike air conditioners with an external unit.
disadvantages
The main disadvantage of ceiling fans is their noisy work. The problem can be solved by balancing the device, but completely get rid of the noise load will not work. Therefore, before buying a fan, pay attention to the noise level of a particular model and the ability to adjust modes. The noise level should not exceed 30 decibels at the maximum speed of rotation of the blades.
Design
The household ceiling fan consists of the following elements:
- Blades. They are made of plastic, metal, wood. On some fan models, the blades may be folding. Typically, 3 to 6 blades are installed.
- Planks. With their help, the blades are attached to the body.
- Engine. Responsible for the rotation of the blades, speed and operating modes.
- Body. The box contains the engine, wiring and instrument controls.
- Fasteners. Designed for mounting the device on the ceiling. They include a bar, suspensions and decorative elements that cover the place of fasteners.
- Lamp. In the luminaires all types of household lamps can be used: incandescent, fluorescent, halogen or LED.
- Switch. It happens stationary or in the form of a remote control.
Principle of operation
Suspended ceiling fans have an axial design and direct the air flow parallel to the axis of rotation of the blades. They can work in summer and winter modes. In summer, the blades direct the air down. They mix indoor air with cooler streams coming from an open window. Due to this, the temperature in the room decreases slightly. The cooling effect is based on increased evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin.
According to the laws of physics, warm air rises, and a fan operating in winter mode raises cold flows from the depths of the room and directs them to the ceiling. Air flows are mixed and thanks to this the room warms up faster. Winter mode saves up to 30% of the energy spent on heating.
Ceiling exhaust fans operate by centrifugal principle. The air flow is picked up by the blades and moves in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation of the impeller. They "suck" the air from the room into the ventilation ducts. Due to the resulting pressure difference, fresh air begins to flow into the room through doors, windows, slots, and ventilation ducts.
Outboard fan
The suspended model is considered classic. It is attached to the mounting plate with a special hook. The body with blades is spaced from the ceiling by the length of the rod. The size of the bar may vary depending on the height of the ceilings. For ease of operation and operational efficiency of the device, it should be installed so that the lowest point of the structure is not lower than 215 cm from the floor. If it is planned to install a suspended fan on a stretch ceiling, a wooden backing should be provided between the base ceiling and the stretch canvas. The device can operate on a 220 W or 12 W network, depending on the model and purpose. In the latter case, the device operates through a voltage-reducing transformer.
The case and fan blades can be made of metal, plastic or wood. The impeller span of the device is of three standard sizes: 30, 42 and 52 inches. The first is suitable for small rooms up to 9 square meters. m. A fan with a fan span of 42 inches will be effective for rooms up to 16 square meters. m. A device with a span of blades of 52 inches is used in large rooms, common living rooms, studio apartments with an area of up to 32 square meters. m. Devices intended for outdoor use have a high degree of protection against atmospheric influences. They are marked with the index IP65-IP67, where the first number indicates the level of protection against dust, and the second - from moisture.
Chandelier fan
The ceiling fan model with a lamp has earned recognition due to its versatility. Both the fan and the chandelier should be placed in the center of the room or selected area. It is not possible to place two devices ergonomically on the ceiling, since part of the room will be poorly lit and the other part will not be blown by a fan. In addition, the fan blades will create moving shadows when both devices are turned on. The optimal solution for such cases is a ceiling lamp with a fan. The design of the device is similar to a pendant fan and is supplemented by a lamp at the bottom. Such a device will not obscure the space while turning on the upper lighting and the impeller. In the ceiling fan with a chandelier, all kinds of household lamps can be used. The most economical and safe are LED lamps. The speed of rotation of the blades and the intensity of the light flux are regulated using the remote control. Such a device can be used as a night lamp. Some models install color lighting modules. Fans with a luminaire and a sealed enclosure can also be used to illuminate open terraces and verandas.
Exhaust fan
Such models are usually built into a suspended or suspended ceiling and connected to the ventilation system of the house. Outside, only a decorative grill remains. Install ceiling exhaust fans in the bathroom, toilet, basement and other rooms that require forced ventilation. Such devices efficiently and quickly remove gas exchange products, steam and stale air from the room. Ceiling fans for the bathroom have 3-5 rotational speeds of the blades and a sealed enclosure with a degree of protection against moisture of at least IP65.
Additional functions
Manufacturers often equip domestic fans with additional functions designed to increase the efficiency of the device, reduce energy costs or increase the level of user comfort:
- The remote control allows you to adjust the speed and modes of operation of the fan, as well as control the lighting.
- The presence sensor turns on the fan if there are people in the room, and turns it off if the room is empty. The device allows you to save up to 40% of electricity. Such devices have proven themselves in the bathrooms.
- The humidity sensor automatically turns on the exhaust fan when steam accumulates in the bath, dressing room or bath.
- The timer allows you to configure the operating modes of the device for a period of up to a week. You can program the operation at high speed in the hottest hours and the minimum intensity of airflow at night.
- In ceiling fans with a LED lamp, a battery is sometimes installed, which allows the lamp to work for up to several hours in the event of a power outage.
Setup, operation and maintenance
Sometimes after installing the fan, it starts to make a lot of noise. The problem is solved by balancing. In construction stores, you can purchase a special balancing kit and use it to align the weight of the blades.
The ceiling fan is quite easy to operate and maintain. It is only necessary to periodically wipe the impeller and housing from dust. The accumulation of dust on the blades leads to an imbalance of the device and an increase in the noise level.
Ceiling fans are a good alternative to air conditioners in places where the installation of the latter is not advisable. They consume less electricity, do not create a temperature difference, can be used on open verandas and in summer cafes. Ceiling fans can operate in summer and winter modes. The latter allows you to more efficiently distribute the heat of radiators and save on heating. Built-in exhaust fans are used in bathrooms and cellars to quickly remove gas exchange products and moist air.