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What are the differences among ceiling fans?

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Ceiling fans are both functional and decorative additions to your home. Not only do ceiling fans provide the coolness, comfort, and energy savings of increased airflow, but they also add to the ambiance of a room through their size, style, and color. If you are shopping for ceiling fans, take a walk down the ceiling fan aisle of Lowe’s or a similar store, and you will be amazed at the number of different options you have. These are some of the issues you will have to decide:

• Outdoor vs. Indoor: Most ceiling fans are designed for indoor use, but some ceiling fans are made to handle all the elements of an outdoor climate. The important thing, however, is that you do not use an indoor fan outdoors, for rain, dust, heat, and snow will all take their toll.

• Style: Ceiling fan styles range from traditional to contemporary to retro. Blades come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, everything from a small traditional wood finish to blades that look like enormous lily pads. You simply need to decide which style best creates the atmosphere you want.

• Number of Blades: Most ceiling fans have between three and five blades, but this is primarily a decorative question; both can work equally well.

• Light vs. No Light: Some ceiling fans are sold as a “package” with a central light fixture, while with other fans you would need to install your own light.

• Size: Manufacturers offer a wide range of ceiling fan sizes to best fit the size of your rooms.

• Controls: Ceiling fans offer varying types of controls and switches. Most fans have a simple pull cord to turn the fan on and off (perhaps side by side with a second pull cord for the light); other fans are turned on using a wall switch. Many fans offer both a pull cord and a wall switch. Pull cords, however, can also serve to change the speed of a fan; most fans offer three speeds, but others offer as many as six. Finally, you can purchase a fan that you can control using a remote control, which you can also hook up to your light, television, and other appliances.

For the most part, these are issues of convenience and decoration. All fans, regardless of their style, light fixture, or controls, still function to increase the airflow in a room. You can purchase one fan for a certain room, or buy several matching fans so that each room in your home has the same fan. You simply need to decide the specific one that is best for you.

Next Page: What kind of ceiling fan should I buy?

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