The Benefits of an Electric Fan
Whether mounted on the wall or in a window, or portable (like floor, table or battery operated hand-held fans) electric fans can provide immediate cooling. They can also be used to circulate air and reduce allergens in the home.
While public health guidance typically warns against the use of fans during heatwaves, a new Cochrane review suggests that they could help to prevent heat-related mortality and illness.
Improved Breathability
An electric fan improves air circulation in a room and speeds up evaporation, which makes liquids-like sweat-cooler. The fan also helps the body shed heat faster by stimulating blood flow to the surface of the skin. However, an electric fan isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for beating the heat. There are a few other things you can do to help cool down, electric fan such as drinking plenty of water and putting ice packs on pressure points like your wrists, neck, or temples.
When AC power is supplied to the electric fan, the capacitor delivers high energy to the stator windings which develops rotating magnetic field that energizes the rotor. The rotor then consumes the electrical energy and converts it into mechanical energy that drives the motor shaft and propeller blades.
The fan pushes the air in a sunburst pattern around the shaft, known as axial flow. The fan may also blow the air in a circle, referred to as centrifugal flow. There are mixed-flow fans that move both axial and radial air.
Electric fans are an affordable, effective cooling intervention that is far less disruptive to the environment than widespread use of air conditioning, which can place a significant burden on the electrical grid and adds a substantial greenhouse gas load. However, public health agencies discourage fan use in hot and humid environments because they believe that fans can induce physiological heat strain.
Reduced Stress
Before electric fans, people kept cool by moving air manually, either blowing it with their hands or swishing it across their faces. Fans speed up this process, and the directional movement of the air helps with both evaporative and convection methods of heat loss.
The only downside to using an electric fan is that it blows hotter air onto the skin than ambient air, which can make people feel uncomfortable if they’re not used to the change in temperature. This is a particular issue for vulnerable groups, such as elderly people, whose ability to cool down through sweating is reduced by high ambient temperatures.
While public health guidance typically warns against the use of fans during heatwaves, research has shown that they are effective cooling devices for many individuals. The effectiveness of fans depends on temperature and humidity: a 2019 study found that fans are effective for reducing physiological heat stress at 42°C in humid conditions, but they accelerate body heating in older adults and those taking anticholinergic medications (due to diminished sweating).
However, it has also been confirmed experimentally that fan use significantly reduces dehydration in healthy young adults at ambient temperatures exceeding 35°C, by increasing the rate of water ingestion and lowering core body temperature more effectively than fluid intake alone. A similar reduction in dehydration was seen in a small trial of a community-based programme in which fans were distributed to households during a heatwave.
Enhance Sleep
The soothing sound of white noise produced by an electric fan masks distracting sounds and creates a sleep-enhancing environment. The sound helps drown out background noises and dulls jarring sounds such as car alarms, yelling neighbors, slamming doors, sirens, and snoring. Fans that produce white noise can also be helpful for people with tinnitus, ringing in the ears, or hearing loss.
Fans that are positioned at a distance can help reduce allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and dirt from circulating in the air. This can prevent allergic reactions, including watery eyes and itchy skin, runny noses, congestion, and sneezing. A humidifier or an air filter that is placed in the vicinity of your bedroom fan can further reduce allergens.
Research has shown that sleeping with a fan can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and promotes deeper sleep and longer periods of REM. This is partly due to electric fan vendors a natural drop in body temperature that occurs when the fan is turned on.
The humming sound of the fan can also be relaxing for some individuals. However, some may find it irritating or distracting. If you experience this, you can minimize the negative effects by turning the fan off or using it in a different location, keeping it at a distance, and placing a bowl of water in front of it to add moisture to the air. You can also set a timer so it turns off after an hour or two of sleep.
Adds Aesthetic Value
An electric fan not only enhances your health and cleans the air, but it also adds a distinctive aesthetic element in your home. When choosing a fan, it is best to choose one that suits your style and is durable and reputable.
An electrical fan is comprised of an outer housing with stator, rotor and drive shaft bearing assembly on the inside, and blades on the outside. These blades are the most distinct feature of a ceiling mounted fan and come in varying shapes and sizes to suit your style. They are attached to the motor using a special connector, which ensures a strong and reliable bond and optimal performance. The fan also features a rotary switch to control the direction of the airflow.
