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
A ceiling fan that looks nice but moves little air is a comfort to no one. One of the keys to proper air movement is blade pitch. The greater the pitch-the angle of the blade-the greater the air movement providing the blade pitch has been properly harmonized with the motor. Unlike Hunter some manufacturers skimp on materials and don’t use large enough or powerful enough motors to support proper blade pitch. So they compromise on blade pitch, sacrificing proper air movement to reduce the stress on undersized or under-powered motors. Many fans also use extra thin blades to reduce cost. The reduced blade surface area means reduced air movement.
Why Many Fans Are Less Efficient
The amount of energy a fan consumes plus the volume of air the fan moves determines the fan’s overall efficiency. Small, low wattage motors may use little energy, but they also move very little air, resulting in very inefficient fans, Hunter fans are built to shift a lot of air.
Why Many Fans Are Noisy
An electrical humming created when a ceiling fan is running is usually the result of poor engineering design and a lack of precision manufacturing. Some manufacturers use generic, inexpensive ball bearings to reduce cost, even though these are a common source of operating noise. A lack of proper dampening between metal parts can also create and intensify noise, as can the use of extra thin sheet metal motor and mounting system parts. Hunter fans only use the best materials available.
Why Many Fans Wobble
Many factors can produce fan wobble. Substandard blade materials and improper blade sealing can produce blades that absorb moisture and warp-a prime source of wobble. Blades that are not matched in carefully weighed and balanced sets can also wobble. Inconsistent blade mounting brackets can create varying degrees of pitch (blade angle), throwing a fan into an unbalanced wobble. And poorly manufactured motors have rotors that can easily get out of balance, generating wobble from the very heart of the fan. Inexpensive mounting systems with pin fasteners can also contribute to wobble. Hunter fans have a patented wobble free canopy which means Hunter fans are always straight.
Common Reasons Substandard Fans Break Down Prematurely
Motor size and blade pitch are not specified and matched correctly. Improperly installed on/off pull chains can become faulty and be pulled out of the housing. Inadequate quality, testing, manufacturing and inspection procedures send poor quality fans to market. Defective motor windings can lead to electrical shorts in the motor. Low quality fan bearings may be “shielded” on one side only, allowing dust to enter and cause premature failure. Inexpensive materials, poor engineering, and substandard manufacturing processes are used to create “bargain” fans.
Why Brass Finishes Are Not Alike
In the beginning all brass finishes look great. Then tarnish and dark spots begin to appear. You may even notice the brass on the fan is a different colour than the light kit you just added!
Quality brass and other metallic finishes include a series of grinding and buffing steps between multiple plating processes. To help determine the quality of a plated finish, look at the surface closely for scratches or unevenness of finish. Does the surface spot easily? If so, avoid the fan. Can you feel a smooth protective coating? That’s a sign of the kind of quality you’ll find in the famous Hunter Bright Brass Finish.
What is the minimum height I need in my room to put up a fan?
Safety standards state that the min height from the floor to the bottom of the fan blades must be 2.3m or 7ft 6″, consider Hunter Low Profile ceiling fan if you have a low ceiling, just really make sure that they are above head height.
Why a Hunter ceiling fan warranty makes a difference
Hunter backs its fans with a lifetime limited motor warranty, and backs that warranty with nearly 120 years in the ceiling fan business. No other manufacturer has that kind of record to stand on. So you get the peace of mind of knowing you’ve got the best-backed warranty in the business!
How much air do ceiling fans move?
Ceiling fan air movement is measured in CFM, or cubic feet per minute. The greater the CFM, the more air that is being moved. The air moved by the fan creates a wind chill effect that makes you feel more comfortable in a warm room. There is a direct relationship between air movement and comfort – the more air moved, the greater the wind chill effect. Hunter fans generally move more air than competitive models because of custom-engineered motors and blades pitched at the maximum possible angle.
What is the difference between a four and five blade ceiling fan?
The main difference between a 4-blade and 5-blade fan is aesthetics, with some additional wind noise associated with 5-blade fans. For a given motor, a 4-blade fan will move more air than a 5-blade fan. The 5th blade puts additional drag on the motor, slowing down the RPM of the blades, which decreases the CFM. All Hunter fans, whether 4 or 5 blades, are designed for optimal air delivery
How do I know what size fan to purchase – there are so many sizes available?
You need to choose the right size fan for a room to get optimum looks, comfort and energy savings. If the fan is too small for the room, it will not move enough air to make you feel comfortable. If the fan is too big, it could move too much air. Hunter recommends the following:
• 100 sq foot 30″-42″ Ceiling fan
• 400 sq foot 48″-54″ Ceiling fan
• Larger rooms use at least 56″ Ceiling fan
Why do some fans require oil and others do not?
The Hunter Original has a very unique motor that uses an oil-bath lubrication system. This system keeps the main bearings lubricated at all times, for quiet operation and long-life. It is part of the reason why this fan has a limited lifetime motor warranty. Most other fans use motors that do not require oil.
What makes the Hunter Original so unique in the market compared to all other fans?
The Hunter Original is the most unique ceiling fan on the market, with a design that dates back to the turn of the 20th century. Cast iron is used in the motor housing construction to more effectively draw heat away from the electrical windings; heat is a major enemy of electrical motors. The extra weight of the cast-iron construction also reduces the potential for fan wobble. The motor is also larger than any other ceiling fan, making it the most powerful motor available. This allows the blades to be pitched at a 15 degree angle, which produces greater air movement with less noise. The oil-bath lubrication system protects the major moving components of the motor, and prolongs the life of the motor. Added up, these unique design elements produce a powerful, quiet fan that is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
How do fans cool the room – do they actually lower the temperature?
A ceiling fan cools by creating a wind chill effect; it does not lower the room temperature. Wind chill effect makes you feel cooler by accelerating the evaporation of perspiration on your skin. It is the feeling you get when you open the window in a moving car. If you have a ceiling fan in a room whose temperature is 80 degrees, running the fan can create a wind chill effect that makes you feel as if the temperature is 72 degrees. When used in conjunction with an air conditioner, a ceiling fan can lower energy costs, because you can set the thermostat of your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
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.