A Guide to Portable Fans

A portable fan can make a real difference when it comes to creating a better and cooler atmosphere for both living and working in. Whereas some fans are small and portable and can be placed on a desktop, other fans are so big that they require a larger space. There are many different types of portable fan, and they will each have their own specific or recommended uses.
 

Blower and Drum Fans

These types of fan are typically more suited to commercial premises, and they are ideal for those people who need a higher velocity of air movement. Unfortunately, these types of fan do not come cheap, and they can be a lot more expensive than other portable fan types. These fans are big, but they are still portable, and they can be found in a number of different locations, although these fans are not suitable for use at home, and some units are so big that they can weigh in at 100lbs. If you’re looking for a drum fan we recommend the Prem-I-Air EH0136 DF24S 24" Drum Fan with wheels. It has a automatic overheat shut off, three speed setting and is suitable for commercial, industrial and office use.

Desk Fans

These types of fan are much more common than blower and drum fans, and most offices often have desk fans for their staff to help them remain cool in the warmer months. Fan blades for desk fans are usually around the 5 inch diameter mark, but can be bigger. These fans are a lot quieter, which makes them ideal for use in a work or home environment, and the speeds of these fans are usually limited to 2 or 3 different speeds.

Pedestal, Floor and Box Fans

The great thing about box fans is that they are very easy to move around from one place to another, plus they can also look incredibly stylish too. The fan blades themselves are generally hidden from view inside the box covering, with the controls conveniently placed on top or on the front for ease of use. Due to the fact that the fan blades in box fans are considerably larger than most, there is a distinct increase in power and airflow, with the average fan blade diameter being around 20 inches.

A lot of people often think that pedestal fans and floor fans are one and the same, but in actual fact, there are a number of distinct differences. For a start, a floor fan has a very sturdy base that houses a blade unit that will be between 10 and 20 inches in diameter, and they are able to produce high levels of velocity when it comes to air output. However, these types of fan are not ideal for use in small rooms as they tend to produce more noise than other fan types, although they are ideal for garages, trailer homes and other areas with lots of space.

A pedestal fan usually comes in 3 parts. The first is the base, the second is an upright, and the third is the fan blades and motor unit. These fans are very adjustable, and the height of the upright can be adjusted up or down by a few inches. Also there is usually the option to have the fan pointing at a specific spot, or to allow it to move from left to right. If a pedestal fan is the right option for you we recommend the Sealey HVSF18 18" 230V Industrial High Velocity Pedestal Fan, a high velocity industrial pedestal fan suitable for movement of huge volumes of air.

Bladeless and Tower Fans

These types of fan can look very stylish and futuristic, and they often incorporate a number of features and advantages of pedestal and floor fans. The heights of these fans can vary greatly from around 15 to 50 inches, and due to their sleek design, they can be used in small rooms and spaces. They are also designed to merge in with the background and décor or the room they are situated in, and they are often popular with people who want a fan but without it looking to intrusive.

The diameter of the fan blades is often between 12 and 15½ inches, and the air velocity and circulation is often the same as pedestal fans. One feature that some of these fans have as an extra is the chance to ionize the surrounding air particles, which is a handy method of purifying the air.

Bladeless fans are actually a new invention, and although they do technically include fans, they are often placed out of sight at the bottom of the unit, and they discharge air through the rings openings. Bladeless fans can be either free standing or desk mounted, and usually oscillate through 90 degrees, and can be moved quite easily. A great portable tower fan is the Sealey STF29T 29” a silent running electric tower fan with push button control and three operating speeds.

In Conclusion

When buying a fan, it is important to take into consideration the size of the room or location that you will be placing the fan into. A small fan in a big space is not going to be effective, and a big fan in a small space is going to be too noisy, too powerful and a waste of both money and energy.