1/11 Mountjoy St Woollongabba QLD 4102
24/7 Brisbane Electricians
While ceiling fans aren’t exactly something that most homeowners get overly excited about, understanding how they work is crucial to buying the right product.
While the first electrically powered ceiling fan was invented in 1882 by Philip Diehl, ceiling fans have come a long way since they first hit the scene. Today, they’re a staple inclusion in thousands of Australian households, particularly those that are positioned in our warmer and more tropical parts of the nation.
If you’re building a new abode or are giving your existing one an upgrade, shopping for ceiling fans can quickly become overwhelming as there’s a lot of variables to contend with. While some of the more common conundrums include choosing the right size, motor type, blade material, colour and power controls, the good news is that it usually boils down to balancing form and function.
Did you know that heating and cooling clocks up a whopping 40% of a household’s annual electricity bill? As such, if you’re prone to relying a little too much on the air conditioner during the summer months, ceiling fans present a viable alternative and happy medium. However, buying the right type of fan is crucial if you want it to perform at its best – so what factors should shoppers consider before investing in them?
Size Does Count – Ceiling fans that are too small will do little to improve the airflow and cooling of the room. However, a fan that is too large for a space will make a room feel smaller and impose on the space’s existing décor. As a general rule, a fan’s blades should hang at least 300mm from the ceiling, with at least 2.1 metres clearance to the floor.
AC vs DC Power – AC motors use the supplied power from your electrical wiring directly, regulating speeds by controlling the frequency of the current. DC motors convert the supplied power from your ceiling, regulating speeds by controlling the electrical current. While DC motors use up to 70% less energy and are much quieter, they are usually more expensive as a result.
Blade Materials – For residential properties, ceiling fans usually come in three different materials: plastic, timber or metal. While timber is usually lightweight and can make for an attractive complimenting feature to timber flooring, plastic is usually the most affordable choice and easiest to clean, with metal blades becoming less and less common.
Extension Rods – While rooms that have the standard 2.4m ceiling don’t generally require the use of an extension rod, if you’re placing ceiling fans in open plan rooms like living areas or outdoors, then ceiling rods are usually a necessary evil. Without an extension rod, the fan sits too high, with little to no cooling effect being generated for those sitting below.
Fan Controls – Homeowners are generally spoilt for choice these days when it comes to how they control their ceiling fans: are you the type to be content with a wall mounted system, or does the idea of a remote control tickle your fancy? Depending on your budget, some ceiling fans now also offer smart controls to automatically regulate timing and temperature.
Consider Lighting – If you prefer the look of a ceiling fan without a light in conjunction with an alternative source such as downlights, it’s important to consider positioning in order to avoid a “strobing” or disco effect. As this can happen if the ceiling fan is too close to one of your downlights, consider opting for ceiling fans that include lighting kits.
If installing new ceiling fans or giving your current ones an upgrade is on the cards, then it’s always a good idea to enlist the services of a licensed professional to guarantee proper installation – but where do you find them?
Here at Shield Electrical, we are a Brisbane based electrical contracting company, and pride ourselves on being shockingly good at watt we do. For us, friendly and reliable customer service isn’t just a nice add on – it’s how we do business. Don’t take our word for it though, just ask our clients.
Established in 2015, Shield Electrical is lighting the way when it comes to providing electrical work with world class customer service. With our headquarters based in the central suburban pocket of Coorparoo, our team of qualified industry professionals are readily available to deliver quality workmanship, fast quotes, and affordable pricing.
Whether you’re on the hunt for an electrician for domestic services, residential, commercial and industrial construction, security systems or even just further energy saving tips, get in touch with us at Shield today to source practical solutions that don’t break the bank.
