!44: Save Minka Aire Concept Fan: January 2012

!±8± Benefits of a Ceiling Fan

Having a ceiling fan in your home has now become a necessity. Especially on those summer days wherein the heat is unbearable and you only need a simple air ventilation system to keep you cool. Aside from its air cooling benefit; ceiling fans relatively use less electricity which will help you in budgeting bills in your home. It also contributes in giving your home a more decorative appeal. These reasons may be enough to justify why they have been in existence since the 1860's.

Nowadays, a ceiling can be considered a vintage contraption as its design and function relatively still works and looks the same. Attaching one to your home instantly gives the room a historic feel. The Victorian age is one era where fans were commonly found and considered to be the age where these fans looked their best with the use of stained-glass and flower-shaped lights. Of course, designs like these are still available as its attractiveness does not die out.

The benefit of a ceiling fan not only comes during a warm summer day, but you may also use it on a cold winter day. How? Let the blades of the fan rotate clockwise and in a slow speed. What this does is rises the air upward and directs cooler air below, this forces warmer air close to the ceiling to move downward to take the place of the cooler air.

This decreases your rooms thermostat a few degrees lower thus saves you more energy and makes the temperature in your room more comfortable. Also, you may pair an air-conditioning system with the use of the fan as it will help the spreading of the cooler air from the air-condition faster and not to mention, you wouldn't have to set your air-conditioning system at a high level which will decrease your power usage as well.

In this 21st century, aside from a ceiling fan's design, people look to its functions and advantages. Some ceiling fans are equipped to rotate faster and spread more ventilation, some even have lights in them so when attached to the ceiling, may serve as the rooms lighting system as well. One example of this kind of modern fan is the Minka Aire Concept II Ceiling Fan.

Minka Aire is a company that leads in the production of different types of decorative lighting and has branched its way in producing efficient and beautiful ceiling fans as well. They pride themselves on being able to produce products with variety of materials such as cast aluminum, solid brass, wood etc. This goes to show you that if you are to purchase their Minka Aire Concept II Fan, you are assured of great quality and a superior looking and elegant fan for your rooms.

Placing a ceiling fan in your home will only benefit you greatly; it allows a good air-ventilating system in your home for both a warm summer day and a cold winter day, and even gives a touch of class and elegance.

Benefits of a Ceiling Fan

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!±8± Outdoor Ceiling Fans

If you are planning on installing a ceiling fan in an outdoor location, it is important to purchase a fan that is designed specifically for that purpose. If you install an indoor fan in an outdoor area it is likely to short out (which can be hazardous) or simply break down prematurely. Outdoor ceiling fans are designed differently than indoor ceiling fans because they need to be able to the forces of mother nature.

Here are some of the ways that outdoor ceiling fans differ from those made for indoors:

The decorative motor casing is either sealed or designed to prevent water or moisture from coming in contact with the actual motor inside. The wiring is a higher grade with additional shielding. Screws and other components are typically made of stainless steel. The finish on the motor casing and hardware is usually a weather resistant powder coat, stainless steel, or has some additional protective coating that can handle exposure to the elements. The blades are likely made of ABS plastic rather than plywood. ABS is a very strong durable material that resists warping and discoloration from moisture or UV exposure. Light fixtures are sealed on top and designed for outdoors The mounting hardware is either water tight or designed to prevent water from entering from above.
There are 2 types of outdoor ceiling fans, those rated for DAMP locations and those rated for WET locations. There is a notable difference between the two and it is important that you choose the right type for your application. In either case, make sure the fan you purchase is UL Listed for the application you need so that you know it can be safely installed without creating a potential electrical hazard.

Here are the differences between the two types of outdoor fans:

Damp rated outdoor fans are designed to handle moisture but not direct contact with rain or running water. Therefore, a damp rated outdoor ceiling fan can be installed in a covered area such as a patio or screened in porch or other areas that are protected from rain or dripping water.

Wet rated outdoor fans are designed to handle direct exposure to rain. They can be installed in virtually any indoor or outdoor location, covered or uncovered. So you can install a wet rated outdoor ceiling fan in an open gazebo, lattice covered lanai or other similar shade structure as well as under a covered porch or patio. Because wet rated outdoor fans are pretty much water tight, you can actually clean them by hosing them off...which is a great reason to buy a wet rated fan even if all you need is a damp rated model.

Commonly asked questions about outdoor fans:

Can an outdoor ceiling fan be installed indoors?

Yes, you can install an outdoor fan in your living room or any other room in your home where you want a fan. Many people will do this simply because they like the look of a particular outdoor fan. Also, outdoor fans are highly recommended for laundry rooms and bathrooms or any other room inside your home that that tends to have excessive moisture. In more humid climates, outdoor fans are a great choice for every room in the home.

I live in a very windy area and have had problems with blades breaking off...are there any outdoor fans that are made to handle high winds?

High winds can in fact sheer the blades off a ceiling fan, particularly cheaper models that use lightweight materials. Usually it is the metal blade holders that attach the blades to the fan that break rather than the blades themselves. So if you are in an area prone to high winds, outdoor fans that do not have blade holders are your best choice. If the fan is to be installed in an area that is 9 feet high or less, a hugger style outdoor fan is even better. A perfect example of such a fan is the Minka Aire Concept II Wet, which is one of the very few outdoor fans that meet this criteria.

Are there any outdoor fans that are designed to be taken down easily or that have blades that are easy to take off when a storm is coming?

This is a very common question. Unfortunately the answer is no. There are no ceiling fans designed with a "Quick Disconnect" mechanism or with blades that snap on and off. However, I suppose that if any fan manufacturer came up with such a fan it would be a big seller.

Running wires and installing a junction box can be difficult in many outdoor applications. Are there any outdoor ceiling fans that are battery operated?

Although DC powered ceiling fans are now in fact available, they are not yet powerful enough to handle the needs of outdoor applications, nor are they being designed to work from batteries. Currently, most DC powered ceiling fans use an AC/DC converter, so they still require electrical wiring. However, I would look for this to change in the near future...most likely in the next year or two.

Can a remote control be added to an outdoor ceiling fan?

Most add-on remotes or wall controls are not rated for use outdoors, so unless the control is specifically designed for the fan you are considering and is rated for the correct application (Damp or Wet), then you should not use it. If a remote control or wall control is important to you, look for outdoor fans that have such a control included with the fan.

Can any light fixture be added to an outdoor ceiling fan?

No. Just as ceiling fans are rated for Damp or Wet locations, so are the light fixtures that are used with them. Make sure you purchase a light fixture that is made by the manufacturer of the fan and that has the same rating. If you want an outdoor fan with a light fixture, your best bet is to purchase one comes with one, this way you can be certain they are compatible.