What is an Electric Fan?
An electric fan is a device that can be mounted on the wall or ceiling, or can be portable (such as a floor, table, or battery operated hand-held model). It uses a motor to circulate air.
Public health guidelines often warn people against the use of electric fans during heatwaves because they may increase body heating and accelerate heart rate. However, a recent study showed that the use of electric fans is actually beneficial in these conditions.
Energy Efficiency
Electric fans use electricity to create a flow of air that either cools or ventilates. The blades are powered by an electric motor that runs on mains power or batteries. The motor can be hidden inside the fan, attached to it or external to it. It may be powered by a shaded pole or three-phase asynchronous motor, a brushless DC motor or a single-phase AC or low voltage motor.
The motor itself uses electrical energy to create a magnetic field, which in turn causes the spinning of the blades. The motor also generates heat through bearing friction and motor heating, both of which contribute to the overall power consumption of the fan.
Depending on the size of the fan and its speed setting, it can use up to 110 watts an hour at full power. This is equivalent to 0.1 kWh, which means that it costs just under 3p an hour to run at full speed.
Studies have shown that electric fans can aid in cooling a room by accelerating the rate of evaporation from sweat, but they do not actually reduce the temperature of the room or remove any heat from the body. The implication is that they can lead to dehydration, especially when used during extended periods of hot weather. This is because the flow of water into the mouth is impaired by the presence of the fan, and there are also reduced opportunities for drinking at night, when many people sleep.
Noise Level
In industrial settings, fans are critical pieces dehumidifier of rotating machinery that can be very noisy. In fact, their noise levels must be below a specified limit in many manufacturing environments. While this is great for reducing occupational hazards, these loud fans can be disruptive to workplaces and establishments that must remain open during the fan’s operating hours.
Fortunately, several methods are available to reduce fan noise levels. One of the most common is to add acoustical materials to the fan housing and/or ducting to reduce the level of noise that radiates from the fan. This is often more effective than addressing the motor or drive noise directly, and will result in lower dBA levels.
Another way to reduce noise is by using a ceiling fan with a high efficiency motor. Modern DC motor motors use less mechanical friction than traditional ceiling fan motors, and are able to operate at lower speeds while still producing the same amount of air flow.
Noise levels are generally measured in decibels, with 55 dB considered acceptable for residential applications and 70 dB being the threshold at which sounds become annoying to most people. Noise levels above 85 dB can damage your ears after long periods of exposure. Our customers find that ear plugs with a NRR rating of at least 20 help to prevent hearing loss in the event that they are exposed to excessively loud noises for extended periods of time.
Dust and Allergens
Leaving a fan on all night can cause a number of problems, especially for people with allergies. Allergens like pollen, dust mites, mildew, mold, grass and weeds can settle in your home’s vents, which can then circulate them throughout the house. These allergens can cause itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose. Having a fan in the bedroom can make these symptoms worse, as it will blow the allergens directly into your face.
Dirty fan blades can also be a problem, especially for those who suffer from asthma and other respiratory conditions. Over time, household allergens can build up on a fan’s blades, and inhaling these particles can trigger symptoms. Cleaning a fan isn’t easy because the blades must be removed from the body of the unit and are often hard to reach, making them difficult to clean completely.
Continuous blasts of cold air from the fan can cause dry skin and itching, which can be a real pain for those with sensitive skin and conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. This can be avoided by using a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The excess wind from a fan can also dry out the nose and throat, which leads to overproduction of mucus that can block sinuses and lead to headaches. Drinking a lot of water may help, but this can interrupt sleep.
Maintenance
A fan is an electrical appliance, and it’s a good idea to take care of it. This is especially true for fans used in living rooms and kitchens, which tend to attract more dust than those in bedrooms.
The best way to clean a fan is to use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. You can also use a can of compressed air to dislodge dust that has settled in hard-to-reach places. Regardless of the type of cleaning you do, make sure to turn off the fan and unplug it (or remove the batteries for battery-powered fans).
If your fan has a grate on top that you can lift dehumidifier vendors up, you should clean that as well. If the grate has a hole that can be filled with oil, fill it. A lubricated motor will work better and last longer.
You should clean the entire fan once a week, or every other day during heavy usage. You should vacuum the grate and blades, wipe down the housing, and dry any parts of the fan that get wet. It’s also a good idea to retighten any screws that loosen due to vibration. This is particularly important for the light kit, engine cover, and rosette. You can use a screwdriver to do this, or you can place the fan on a dinner plate and spray it with a light lubricant, such as those made for sewing machines or door hinges.
