Not All Electric Fans Are Created Equal! 7 Things to Consider When Buying One

In a country where it is almost always hot, fans are a staple in every home. But choosing a fan to use at home isn’t a decision to take lightly. Here are some factors to take into consideration when deciding on a fan to purchase for your home.

Where in your home will you use the fan?

If you visit any appliance store, you will see that there are fans of different shapes and sizes. The size of the fan best suited for your needs will depend largely on the size of the room where your fan will make its home. For instance, a pedestal fan might be a good bet for spacious rooms because they can circulate air in larger areas, but not for smaller rooms since they take up quite a lot of space.

Check the portability of the fan

If you’re planning on moving your fan to different parts of your home from time to time, portability is something you might want to consider. Bigger, bulkier models can be tough to transfer, compared to smaller fans.

Presence of children and pets

Those who have kids or pets (or both) at home know that there is always a lot of running around going on, even indoors. You may want to go for a model that is safer and less vulnerable to being knocked down by hyperactive children or pets constantly shuffling about.

For example, while pedestal fans are a common choice, they have grills, and the pockets of spaces in between them might make it easy for your child’s fingers and other small objects to get entangled in the blades. Pedestal fans usually have lots of cords that can pose a choking or tripping hazard and bases that are not very steady.

Noise level of the fan

If you need a fan for your baby’s room, you don’t want a model that will make noises loud enough to disrupt your child’s sleep. If you need a fan for your living room, you don’t want a model that will drown out the volume of your TV. The point is it’s always worth considering the noise level of a fan you’re considering buying. If possible, try it out in the store so you can make an informed decision. But keep in mind the sounds of a busy store can muffle the sound a fan makes.

Airflow and performance

Not all fans are created equal. Some are oscillating — meaning they can swing up and down or left and right to allow for better airflow — while some only face in one direction. Some can be kept switched on for hours on end while some heat up within a brief period. Make sure that whatever type of fan you get is a model that will cater to your needs.

Durability

Just because a fan looks pretty and chic doesn’t necessarily mean it is long-lasting. To make sure you get your money’s worth and that you won’t have to spend money on repairs or a new fan, go for a model that has solid construction and sturdy design.

How easy it is to clean

Keeping a fan clean is vital to making sure it lasts a long time. If a fan is easy to clean, it’s also easier to maintain, but if it isn’t easy to clean, there’s a big chance you won’t be able to clean it as well as you might want to. In fact, it is for this exact reason that Wirecutter no longer recommends tower fans, saying that these fans require disassembling the base of the fan and unscrewing several panels just to gain access to the gunk accumulated around the blades. Regardless, whatever type of fan you decide to go for, the important thing is that it is not too much of a hassle to maintain, or that you know exactly how to maintain it if it is a more complicated model.

This story originally appeared on Smartparenting.com.ph.

* Minor edits have been made by the Realliving.com.ph editors.