Hunter ceiling fans are without doubt the best you can buy, here we have put together all the information you might need to know about ceiling fans before purchasing, please bear in mind that there are other ceiling fan manufacturers out there who copy Hunter ceiling fan designs but they are nowhere near as good, the materials they use are not as high quality and they cannot copy hunter ceiling fans patents such as whisper-wind and wobble-free technology, no-one else can match the Hunter lifetime warranty on the motor either, so while many ceiling fans may look “just like a Hunter,” remember all ceiling fans are not created equal…
Most Hunter ceiling fans have a reverse option which is especially important to reduce heating bills in the winter, warm air can be directed down to where it is needed by spinning the ceiling fan clockwise.
Some points to consider when buying a ceiling fan:
– How much air is actually being circulated?
– How efficiently will the fan move air?
– How quiet or noisy is the fan?
– Will the fan wobble?
– How long will the fan last?
– How durable is the finish?
– Will the manufacturer stand behind the warranty?
Many Fans Move Very Little Air
Can the ceiling fan be used in the winter for any beneficial purpose?
A ceiling fan can help lower energy consumption in the winter by up to 15%. The temperature of the air in a heated room varies in layers; the air near the ceiling is warmer than the air near the floor, because warm air rises. A ceiling fan can help push the warmer air that is trapped near the ceiling back down into the room, thus de-stratifying the layers of warm air. As a result, the warm air is circulated where it is needed, and the heating system does not overwork to warm the room. To properly de-stratify a warmed room, the ceiling fan should be run in a clockwise direction. This pushes the air up against the ceilings and down the walls, to gently re-circulate the warm air without creating a cooling wind chill effect.
How much electricity will a fan use?
On average, a ceiling fan run on high speed will consume less power than a 100-watt light bulb.
How much can I expect to save in heating and or cooling costs?
A ceiling fan can save up to 95% on cooling costs for a new install and 47% on an existing air conditioning system. It can also save up to 15% on heating costs. Savings will vary depending on energy rates.
How easy is a ceiling fan to install?
Most people will get an electrician to install a ceiling fan, it can be a DIY project but please bear in mind you will need to be able to:
– Locate a 2″ x 4″ or other suitable support in the ceiling
– Drill holes and install wood screws
– Identify and connect electrical wires
– Lift the fan (most weigh less than 8kg)
What is covered by the fan warranty – how does the Hunter warranty compare to other fan company warranties?
Most fan warranties are limited warranties that cover the motor parts for the stated life of the warranty; that is, a 20-year warranty will cover the motor parts for 20 years. Labour for the motor is generally covered for 1-year, as are parts and labour for all other components of the fan. All Hunter fans are backed by a “limited lifetime motor warranty.” Most importantly, Hunter is the only fan company with over 115 years of experience behind its warranties.
Can my fan be adjusted by remote control?
Most ceiling fans can be adjusted with an accessory remote control sold separately from the fan. In fact, remote controls can really enhance the performance and operating flexibility of ceiling fans since many include one-touch multiple speed settings, instant fan “off” operation, and full range light dimming — all possible from the comfort of your favourite chair or bedside table. Ceiling fan and light remote controls can easily be installed either with the fan during new installations or on fans which have been previously installed and in use for some time.
The installation is an easy, do-it-yourself project and does not require any professional wiring. Remote control kits include a handheld transmitter for sending commands to the fan and a receiver which either conceals inside the fan canopy or mounts just beneath the ceiling. Remote controls can operate the fan or light reliably up to 40 feet away from the fan.
Can ceiling fans be mounted on angled or vaulted ceilings?
Yes, ceiling fans can be installed on angled or vaulted ceilings by using a fan canopy (the “cap†visible closest to the ceiling which covers the electrical box) which has been designed to accommodate sloped ceilings. Many quality fans will include this type of adjustable canopy, like Hunter’s Installer’s Choice and HandsFree™ Canopy systems, but if not included with the fan at original purchase, accessory canopy adapters are sold separately at retail outlets.
What length drop rod should I use with my fan? Will the fan be more prone to wobble if I use a drop rod?
See chart above. A general formula for calculating drop rod length is: ceiling height in feet minus 9′ = drop rod length. This formula is based on the fan-to-floor distance of 8 feet plus 1 foot for the dimension of the fan. So if your ceiling height is 12 feet, you need a 3 foot drop rod in order to properly position the fan 8 feet from the floor. Using long-length drop rods for fan installations actually help stabilize fans and reduce the potential for wobble. Think of a grandfather clock pendulum and its slow, heavy swing versus a smaller clock pendulum with a fast, unsteady swing. Weight and length combine to create stability, reducing wobble, whether it is in a ceiling fan or a clock pendulum.
Why does my fan “hum” when I installed a variable speed (solid state) control?
Most quality ceiling fans are operated by a certain type of electrical control system called capacitors. Capacitor electronics in ceiling fans create distinct speed “steps” like high, medium, and low. Capacitors control the fan speed in a way that does not produce a hum. Variable fan speed controls, which create a speed control “range” from low to high, are operated by solid state electronics. Variable controls can create a hum because they control the fan’s speed in a different manner. For quiet fan operation, capacitor type fan controls are recommended for most ceiling fan installations.
Can a ceiling fan and a light kit be controlled from the same wall switch?
The answer here depends on how your wall switch is currently wired. If you have a single wall switch with two wires (one black, one white), the answer is “no” unless you purchase a control specifically designed for this type of switch (Hunter offers three models). The answer is “yes” if you have a three wire set-up in the single wall switch and purchase a more common, dual control that will operate a fan and light separately from a single switch. Having an electrician install a third wire can be expensive.
What is the difference in having a ceiling fan installed close to the ceiling versus on a drop rod?
For maximum performance and greatest energy savings, ceiling fans should be installed approximately 8 to 9 feet above the floor. Extension drop rods are used to properly position fans from ceiling heights greater than 8 feet. For example, a 12 foot ceiling would need a 3 foot drop rod to position the fan at 8 feet (one foot must be allowed for the distance from the top of the fan motor to the switch housing bottom.
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