All About Portable Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans and portable fans and never the twain shall meet

If you're trying to find a portable ceiling fan for your home, you're not going to have much luck. Portable ceiling fans don't really exist. There are ceiling fans and there are portable fans, but as yet no one has come up with a viable merger of the two (unless you think hanging your portable box fan from a U-hook counts). That may be for the best.

The weight of the electric motor and blades of a typical ceiling fan could be lethal if not properly secured. So until some future Edison solves that particular conundrum, you'll have to choose between portable fans and regular ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans

Even if it's stationary, a ceiling fan is still an excellent way to reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home. During the summer, ceiling fans push air down from above, creating a chilling effect and accelerating the evaporation of moisture on your skin, making the room feel cooler.

Similarly, during the winter months, running a ceiling fans blades the opposite way will cause rising warm air to move back down along the walls, which will ease the burden on your furnace.

A typical ceiling fan includes an electric motor, two to six blades made from wood, metal, or plastic, and a mounting system. Controls for speed, light, and blade directions are also typically accessed via remote control, a wall panel, or a switch housing on the ceiling fan itself.

When shopping for ceiling fans, look for models that are strong and quiet. We also recommend running ceiling fans only when you're present in a room. Ceiling fans can make a room feel more comfortable, but they don't reduce temperature significantly enough to justify the expense of running them constantly.

Portable fans

The obvious advantage of portable fans is that you can take them nearly anywhere, but portable fans are really at their best when used in conjunction with air conditioning units. Portable fans are a simple and cost-effective way to boost the reach of a window air conditioning unit and keep air circulating in a home.

When shopping for portable fans, there are several things you should look for:

speed

quietness

oscillation

warranty

strong and resistant material

Portable fan types

There are countless styles of portable fans from which to choose, though there are three basic models to look for.

The first is a stand-mounted portable fan. The Holmes Oscillating Stand Fan is a good example. It's a 20-inch fan mounted on a lightweight post, and features three speed settings and an adjustable tilt head. Because the fan is mounted at a higher level than the floor, a stand-mounted portable fan is an excellent companion for lounging in summer chairs.

Portable floor fans are another common design. Vornado makes several excellent portable fans that could work on a floor or tabletop. The Vornado 283B Heavy Duty Fan would hold up under the toughest use. It features a steel base and thermally protected motor.

For added convenience, try a combination portable window and floor fan. The Lasko Air Director can be mounted in windows 18 inches high and larger, and features a handy pivot design that allows you to position the fan where it's most needed. It can also run in reverse to operate as an exhaust fan, making it extra helpful for kitchen use.

More information on portable fans