It’s summer! Time to dig in watermelons while enjoying cool wind from fans! Hong Kong has a long humid summer of 7 months. Staying outdoors briefly makes us soaked in sweat. Even staying indoors is hot and stuffy. It is cool with air-con, yet dry for long. Seniors and children may even feel uncomfortable. Whenever we talk about cooling off in summer, choosing efficient and money-saving fans is always a hot topic.
Why fans?
Fans are important for air circulation and cooling off. Not only is it important in bedrooms and living rooms, but also places like shopping malls, factories and schools. Staying in air-conditioned room for long is not suitable for babies, elderly and people with sensitive body (e.g. catching a cold easily, feeling uncomfortable in air-conditioned room) too. Fans can be an ideal substitution for air-conditioners.
It is often believed that staying in air-conditioned room for long gives people air-conditioning sickness, so that fans appear to be a better choice. Yet some still opt for air-conditioners instead of fans to cool down, for higher cooling efficiency. Are air-conditioners better than fans? It is uncertain indeed. Fans are more preferred when the outdoor temperature is not too high.
As we usually close windows and doors while using air-conditioners, staying in air-conditioned room for long may cause us symptoms of hypoxia. On the other hand, patients of cervical spondylosis and adhesive capsulitis may feel unwell when staying long in air-conditioned room. Here is a useful advice for using fans, 3 Ss: Swing mode, Steady speed, Suitable distance.
Design principles of fans
Fans on the market can be categorized as bladed and bladeless ones. Bladed fans create convection by chopping air, thus bringing wind. The technology is sophisticated. Bladed fans create strong wind in a wide angle, yet engage more spaces. Bladeless fans consume air from turbofans below, and pass it to the hollow ring, bringing wind through the gap of the ring.
Types and features of fans
Conventional fans usually have 3 or 5 blades. By chopping air, air is pushed forward by mechanical methods. The convection created in the process is like the million hands patting on your body. The wind evacuated is less gentle and comfy like natural wind. Conventional fans can be further categorized into pedestal floor fans, convection fans, vertical fans and wall-mounted fans.
Unlike conventional fans, the design of bladeless fans is less varied. Before purchasing fans for your own family, some points need to be considered, such as area of the space, wind speed, noise, and convenience of cleaning. You may refer to the following table, choose the type of fans and the model that suits you the most.
Type |
Wind speed |
Area of evacuation |
Cleaning method |
Price |
Safety |
Suitable places |
Pedestal floor fan |
Strong |
Wide |
Detachable and cleanable blades and frame |
Economical |
●○○ |
Large space, such as living room |
Convection fan (Circulation fan) |
Moderate |
Linear evacuation, balancing indoor temperature |
Detachable and cleanable blades and frame |
fair |
●●● |
Small space,such as bedroom |
Vertical fan |
Gentle |
Narrow but concentrated |
Blades undetachable. Other components can be detached for cleaning. |
Fair |
●●● |
Small space, such as bedroom |
Box fan |
Moderate and gentle |
Adjustable |
Detachable and cleanable blades and frame |
Economical |
●●○ |
Small space, such as bedroom |
Wall-mounted fan |
Strong |
Wide |
Detachable and cleanable blades and frame, may need to reach higher places |
Economical |
●●○ |
Large space, such as living room |
Tips for buying fans
Number, size and shape of fan blades affect wind power as a whole, of which larger and more fan blades evacuate more wind for larger spaces, and vice versa. Consider spacial needs before purchasing fans. Generally, household fans are used in living rooms and bedrooms. Pedestal floor fans, wall-mounted fans and circulation fans are suitable for spacious living rooms. Space-efficient fans like vertical fans, wall-mounted fans and circulation fans are suitable for bedrooms. Bladeless fans are recommended for families with children, to avoid children getting hurt from fan blades.
Fans can be classified into AC fans and DC fans according to their power input method. DC fans (direct current fans) operate on a fixed voltage. Not only do DC fans enhance air movement by controlling current in the process of speed control, but also consume less power.
AC fans (air-conditioning fans) operate on a variable current flow, of which rely on current flow in controlling voltage value. This means the speed control of AC fans relies on current. Therefore, DC fans and AC fans have many differences in terms of power of wind, weight, noise level and energy consumption.
Type |
Price |
Power of wind |
Weight |
Noise level |
Energy consumption |
DC fan |
Higher |
Unstable |
Heavier |
Lower |
Low |
AC fan |
Lower |
Stable |
Lighter |
Higher |
High |
Noise level in operation should be concerned if the fan is being used in bedroom. Generally, the lowest noise level of DC fans in operation is 15 dB, of which is almost silent and much lower than that of AC fans. DC fans and fans with more blades are desirable for people who are noise-sensitive.
Energy consumption should be concerned if the fan acts as a substitution of air-conditioner. Fans with more fan blades and of larger size consume more energy. If the area of fan blades is small, operating low speed mode saves more energy.
Many fans on the market are equipped smart functions, for instance remote control, timer, air purification, auto speed adjustment, sleep mode. These functions can be customized with our own needs. The more additional functions, the higher the price.
The following 2 factors should be considered whether you have other concerns:
Prioritizing wind power
If the room temperature is moderate with natural wind, fans with gentle wind power and wide coverage can be a good choice. On the contrary, if the room temperature is high, fans with strong wind power and coolers fans are more suitable. Fans of strong wind are also ideal for people who cannot handle the heat.
Cooling-efficient fans ranking: Cooler fans > Box fans> Pedestal floor fans
Gentle-winded fans ranking: Box fans> Convection fans> Pedestal floor fans
Prioritizing energy conservation
Energy conservation is a major concern. Not only does it mean saving energy, but also reducing carbon emission. Therefore, power and energy consumption need to be prioritized when choosing fans.
Energy conserving fans ranking: Box fans > Convection fans > Pedestal floor fans
Fans recommendation
Bedroom fans: silent circulation fans
As mentioned, circulation fans have relatively lower wind power when comparing to pedestal floor and wall-mounted fans. Such design allows circulation fans evacuate gentle wind, circulating air in the room, and thus bringing natural breeze. With circulation fans, who needs air-conditioners?
Pedestal floor fans usually have higher power consumption, of which better circulate air in a wide space. Yet, in a room with limited space, a smaller and quieter fan that evacuates gentle wind is more ideal. Fans evacuate cool breeze within a limited area. However, convection fans cool down the room and better circulate air, allowing cool wind from air-conditioners to fill up the room more efficiently.
Cooling off & air purification 2-in-1: Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde™ TP09 purifier fan
Dyson is an iconic quality home appliance brand, giving outstanding user experience among other brands. The design of Dyson bladeless fans is undoubtedly one of the best among similar products. Smart control function of TP09 allows users to switch it to sleep mode, from 30 minutes to 8 hours. The air purification system of TP09 effectively monitors air quality by filtering active carbon and breaks down formaldehyde.
Bladeless fans have a disadvantage that they are often inflexible in area of wind evacuation, which is determined by the height of the fans. The inflexibility gives bladeless fans less ideal performance in operation.
Suitable for different places: German Pool DC Motor Cordless Pedestal Fan
German Pool DC Motor Cordless Pedestal Fan has 12 speed settings, making it suitable for different places and occasions. Its sleep mode gentles the evacuated wind, giving users more comfortable experience. The fan supports battery mode. Equipped with built-in 2600mAh rechargeable battery, it can provide up to 15 hours operation on a full charge at the battery mode. With battery mode, using it outdoors or on balconies is not a problem. Its multi speed settings and reasonable price meet the needs of general families.
Consumer Council’s comparison of household fans
Among 14 fans tested by the Consumer Council, only 4 passed all the testing items! We must choose household fans carefully, especially families with elderly and children.
Recommended for children’s safety
To ensure children’s safety, tower fans and bladeless fans are ideal. Yet, bladeless fans can be knocked down more easily. If you would like to buy a bladed fan, remember to choose a safer and quieter one.
Remarkable brands: Olympia, Gemini, Whirlpool, Origo, ecHome
Recommended for cost-effectiveness
For higher cost-effectiveness, circulating fans may satisfy your needs. Using it alone or with air-conditioners keeps the atmosphere circulated, suitable for all seasons.
Remarkable brands: Summe, Imarflex, German Pool, Muji, IRIS OHYAMA, Innotec
Recommended for good visuals
What’s better than stylish easy-matching fans when it comes to good visuals? Easy to store, good looking, safe, comfortable wind. Apart from its price, it is impeccable.
Remarkable brands: Whirlpool, Gemini, Vornado, German Pool, Muji
