Ceiling fans are gems in the hot times of the year. They help keep you cool by causing a windy effect. One needs a fan that can move most air to achieve the cooling effect. In this guide, I’ll discuss how to get more airflow from the ceiling fan.
Most people go for CFM when choosing the right fan. This, however, is just one factor in achieving enough airflow from a fan. Other factors should also be considered, like the size of the blades. The longer the blades, the more coverage.
From a guy who solely depends on ceiling fans to cool his home in summer, I will share how I manage to get maximum airflow from my fans. Without further ado, let’s jump right to it.
5 Proven Ways To Get More Airflow From Ceiling Fan
The essential aspect of a fan is airflow. Some fans, however, don’t seem to meet this need. For increased airflow, try the following techniques. They will ensure you are all set for the summer.
Way 1: Switch Manipulation
Most fans have a switch on the fan’s motor at the top of the housing. It is used to change the direction of the fan blades. When the blades move counterclockwise, the air is blown downwards. This causes the windy cooling effect. It also helps save on power costs.
If the blades move in a clockwise direction, they cause warm air to rise, warming up the room. This can come in handy during winter. Slow fan speeds should be maintained. Always change the fan’s blade direction to suit the temperature requirements.
Way 2: Cleaning The Blades
The weight of the blades is essential to the spinning of a fan. The lighter the blades, the faster the revolution, thus increasing airflow. Sometimes, the blades may get dust and frost. This, in turn, causes the blades to be heavy, reducing momentum. This leads to low airflow.
Always clean the fan. This ensures that it stays light and can revolve at maximum speed and efficiency. It is always good to do quality maintenance of all home appliances.
Way 3: Adjusting Blades Angle
For proper movement, the fan blades must be at a pitched angle. Having a bent fan blade reduces airflow because it has more air resistance. They also increase power consumption.
Blades with a little flat angled move easily and, in turn, increase the airflow. Use a ruler to see if the blades are out of place and match them to be at the right angle.
Way 4: Proper Fan Installation
The fan should be installed at the center of the room and 6 feet from the floor. It should also be inches from the ceiling to allow for wiggling. The distance between the fan and the floor is essential because it increases the airflow.
This creates room for the fan to collect air and circulate it around. Sloppy ceilings are the best since they distribute air more easily.
Way 5: Consider High RPM And CFM
The performance of a fan is determined by its Revolution Per Minute and its airflow in Cubic feet per meter. Most fans come with indications of their airflow in CFM. Always consider the CFM when the fan is to be used. High CFM means more airflow.
For the RPM, most fans come with a remote. This helps adjust the motor’s speed, increasing the blades’ revolution and thus increasing airflow.
Reasons Why Don’t Get Enough Airflow From Ceiling Fan
There are several reasons one cannot get enough airflow from a fan. These can range from DIY to professional considerations. Here are some of the problems and their solutions depending on the situation.
- Low CFM Rate
CFM is always indicated on the package of a fan. This rating shows how large a room a fan can serve. Failure to check the rating can result in buying a low-rated fan. This, in turn, will give minimal airflow.
A high CFM rating is for fans covering large areas, while a low is for fans surrounding small rooms. Always check the CFM before purchase. If a fan has a low CFM, get one with a higher CFM.
- Slow Fan speed
Slow fan speed causes the fan to collect air at a slow pace, sending only a minimal windy effect. For good airflow, increase the speed of the fan. Air will be collected fast and distributed fast hence creating a cooling environment.
Use a remote or wall control to increase the fan’s speed. The speed of the fan is essential to the rate of its airflow. Ensure it is always at the right pace.
- Wrong Blade Movement
Depending on the effect needed, the fan revolves either clockwise or counterclockwise. When looking for a cooling effect, ensure the fan is moving counterclockwise. This will cause the air to be distributed downwards.
For a warming effect, turn it to move clockwise at low speeds. This causes warm air to rise. All this is possible by manipulating the switch at the top of the fan near the motor casing.
- Height Problems
A ceiling fan should be installed 6 feet from the floor and 8 inches from the ceiling. Improper installation may cause poor airflow. A high distance is required to ensure enough air is collected and distributed efficiently. Short distances mean low air collection.
If a fan is not above 6 feet from the ground or is high from this range, I recommend reinstalling it. This will increase the airflow from the fan. Always follow the specified guidelines when installing a fan for maximum efficiency.
- Improper Fan Size
A ceiling with a small motor is cut to be used in a small room. This also goes for the size of the blade. The larger the two, the more airflow the fan will induce.
Always consider the size of the fan. If one purchased a small fan for the living room, I suggest upgrading to a bigger one.
4 Tips You Should Follow To Get More Airflow From The Ceiling Fan
Getting a fan to give you the required airflow is a good feeling. Having the cool breeze in the summer is something a good fan is supposed to provide. Below are some tips for using to get more airflow from the fan.
Tip 1: Cleaning The Blades
Fan blades are light. This helps them have a high RPM. This, in turn, increases the airflow. With time, first particles or frost may accumulate on the blades. This may cause them to be heavier than required hence reducing the RPM.
Always clean the blades of the fan regularly. This not only helps insurers maintain their revolution but also increases their life span. One can always use a vacuum for the dust.
Tip 2: Installation
Always ensure that the fan is 6 feet from the floor. This provides enough air to be collected and distributed efficiently. For wiggling, ensure the fan is 8 inches from the ceiling to allow for wiggling.
Also, ensure the fan is placed in the correct position, depending on where the cooling is needed. Again, do not take it far up. For a ceiling over 7 feet from the floor, suspend the fan to the required height.
Tip 3: Revolution
The direction in which the blade turns each has an effect. One can always change direction depending on whether a high airflow or a low is needed. This is done by manipulating the switch on the top of the fan.
For an effective environment, always change the direction of the spin depending on the environment. For high airflow, ensure the blades turn counterclockwise and clockwise for low airflow.
Tip 4: Blade Size
The size of the blades on the fan is a crucial factor to consider. For a wider airflow circulation, a fan with larger blades is needed. For use in a small room, then shorter blades will suffice. This, however, should not be the only consideration. It is recommended to use this together with other factors. This will enable choosing the right fan to satisfy your needs.
Related Questions:
How Can You Get More Airflow From The Ceiling Fan?
There are various ways one can get more airflow from a fan. You can increase the fan’s speed using a remote or by changing the direction the blades are moving. These are just the basic methods one can use.
There are other considerations also, like ensuring the fan is installed 6 feet from the floor and 8 inches away from the ceiling and the CFM rating of the fan compared to the area coverage. The above guide explains these and other solutions in a more comprehensive manner.
What Is A Good CFM For A Ceiling Fan?
A good CFM for a fan ranges from 4000 to 5000. This is the average CFM that can give you good airflow. For the best airflow, however, go for fans with CFM over 6000. This, however, can be expensive and have a little more power consumption than other fans.
If you want to know the CFM required for a room, just multiply the length by the width of the room’s height. Later multiply it by 10 or 15, depending on the airflow required. That is the CFM needed for that room. Use it during the purchase of a quality fan.
What Ceiling Fan Has The Most Airflow?
The Luminous Dhoom high voltage high CFM fan is considered to have the most airflow. It has long blades that increase the coverage of the airflow. It uses low power but gives strong airflow. The blades are made up of polymers that enable them to maintain a good pitch while sweeping large air amounts.
It is also remote-controlled. It has 8 speeds which one can switch to. It can also be reversed using the remote. It has almost everything required for one to have the most airflow.
Does The Blade’s Number Impact Airflow From The Ceiling Fan?
A fan with few blades causes less drag on the motor. This causes the fan to have a high revolution, collecting more air and causing an increased airflow. The fewer the number of blades, the more efficient the fan is and the more airflow.
Fans with many blades cause the motor to strain and cause increased power consumption. They cause the fan to go slower hence lowering the airflow. Always consider fans with less number of blades.
Final Verdict:
Getting enough airflow from the ceiling fan is essential to keep the room cool. You want that cool, windy breeze in return for the spent money. I have given you all the techniques required to increase the fan’s airflow.
Now you are ready to face both winter and summer trouble-free. Get the right fan for you and your household. Ensure to put all the above into consideration. Don’t let these seasons find you unprepared.
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