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The main purpose of using a fan is to provide a feeling of freshness in a room to make it more comfortable.
It's summer, and the sun is finally here. While it generally brings joy and happiness, the accompanying heat can quickly become unpleasant: suffocating public transport, overheated apartments, sweltering nights... Fans and air coolers are effective and affordable solutions to bring some fresh air into your home or office, providing you with comfort and well-being during hot summer days. They specifically help with:
To deal with excess humidity, specific devices exist: air dehumidifiers.
- circulating the air,
- controlling the temperature of a room,
- lowering your body temperature,
- limiting energy consumption compared to air conditioning,
- not drying out the air, unlike air conditioning,
- preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)*.
*Kimberly Coleman-Phox, MPH; Roxana Odouli, MSPH; De-Kun Li, MD, PhD, Use of a Fan During Sleep and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, October 6, 2008 [Consulted on 22/02/2022].
To choose the right fan for your needs,
you need to consider certain factors:
Air flow is the number one factor to consider. This figure corresponds to the volume of air moved by the fan over a specific period. Generally, air flow is expressed in m3/hour and reflects the fan's ability to generate a fresh air stream. The higher the air flow, the more powerful and effective the fan is.
The larger the room you want to ventilate, the more powerful the fan needs to be. For very large rooms, placing two fans may be more effective to create an airflow. On the other hand, if you plan to use the fan in an office, opt for a smaller, less powerful model that can be placed near your computer.
To purchase the most suitable fan for your needs, also consider how you will use it, as this will determine the size and power of the device. For example, there are models that can fit in a handbag and are perfect for public transport. Others, more stable and solid, are ideal for use in a child's room.
Make sure to choose your fan based on your needs and the space available in your home, including storage space when the fan is not in use. Size is an important factor. There are different fan technologies and types, each with its own pros and cons. As for design, it's a matter of personal preference. However, some fans are created by famous designers.
Of course, the noise generated by the fan is a key factor, especially if you plan to place the fan in your bedroom. To avoid unpleasant surprises, check the fan's noise level. It is usually listed on the packaging in decibels (dB). Ideally, choose a model that does not exceed 55 dB at maximum speed (equivalent to a "normal conversation").
The various options available on a fan can be decisive in your purchasing decision. Some fans, for example, are equipped with an oscillation function to better distribute cool air throughout the room. Others come with a remote control to avoid getting up—especially handy for elderly users—or are connected. Some fans also feature a Timer function, allowing them to be set for a specific time.
Ideal for personal use, their compact size allows them to be placed anywhere: on a bedside table, shelf, desk... Some even have a USB port, allowing them to be plugged into an external battery or directly into a computer. Unlike larger air movers, they are quiet, but naturally less powerful. Portable, you can easily move them from one room to another, or even outdoors or camping.
+ Quiet
+ Portable
- Less powerful
Suitable for large living rooms, such as lounges or open spaces, they have a higher air flow. You can easily direct their airflow with their height-adjustable stand. Most often, they are also equipped with an oscillation mode, allowing the air to be distributed throughout the room and/or to cool multiple people at once.
+ Oscillating
+ Powerful
- Not always stable
- Difficult to transport
This type of fan is very powerful: some models have an airflow of up to 150 m3/min, or 9000 m3/h! Thanks to their powerful motor, air movers are highly effective for cooling and ventilating large rooms. You can place them on a piece of furniture or directly on the floor. Some air movers have a modern design and become decorative objects in their own right.
+ Very powerful
+ Decorative object
- Bulky size
- Noisy
Most often associated with a light fixture, ceiling fans evenly circulate the air in a room. Their blades slowly rotate clockwise, bringing down the hot air that naturally accumulates at the ceiling. These fans are relatively noisy, mainly due to the length of their blades.
+ Dual functionality: light + fan
+ Safe for a child's room
- Noisy
- Space
- saving but not portable
Tower fans (also called "centrifugal") work simply: a wheel creates the air movement. Convenient in small spaces, they take up little floor space and are easy to store. Often equipped with a remote control, you can operate them from a distance. With their oscillation mode, they sweep the room so everyone can enjoy the cool air. Perfect for bedrooms or offices, these fans are versatile!
+ Small footprint
+ "Vertical" airflow
- Moderately powerful
This new generation of fans, very design-forward, incorporates complex technology. Quiet, they can be placed in your living room or bedroom. However, their size makes them less efficient than air movers. With their sleek, minimalist look, they fit into any type of decor, but they are often expensive.
+ Quiet
+ Easy to clean
- Expensive
In summer, fans are the most commonly used devices for a cooling sensation. Unfortunately, this type of device does not lower the room temperature. To avoid the complex installation of a fixed air conditioning system or a significant financial investment in a portable air conditioner, you can opt for an air cooler.
These are easy-to-use, eco-friendly, and economical devices that combine two functions: air humidification AND ventilation.
When it's very hot, your skin dries out and prevents proper body temperature regulation. By diffusing humid air into a room, an air cooler recreates the same effect as taking a shower in the summer. The water molecules, invisible to the naked eye, settle on you, and the wind created by the cooler improves your comfort.
The operation of an air cooler is simple. First, fill the water tank, then place an ice pack inside to make the water very cold. The colder the water, the more you can lower the ambient temperature. Next, a pump draws the water up to moisten the filter. The hot air is drawn in, passes through the filter soaked with cold water, then comes out cool and is dispersed throughout the room by the fan.
- Reasonable price
- Low energy consumption
- Portable
- Regular maintenance
- No built-in thermostat
Using a fan in a child's or baby's room is perfectly fine. However, a fan is not a toy! While most fans come with protective grilles, you still need to take some precautions:
If you choose a desk fan, place it in an inaccessible location: high up, for example. Make sure there are no objects nearby that your child could climb on.
Hide the power cords to keep them out of reach.
If you buy a fan that will only be used in your child's room, it must be equipped with a fine mesh protective grille to prevent fingers from getting inside.
Some fans have no grille but come with soft blades and an automatic stop system when a foreign object is detected.
For added safety, you can opt for a ceiling fan. To avoid any problems, have it installed by a professional. Make sure not to hang anything from it, and if your child sleeps in a bunk bed, prevent them from grabbing it.
When using your fan for the first time, especially after long storage, remember to dust off the fan blades. This will prevent accumulated dust from being blown into the air. Repeat this operation once a month.