01.Introduction
Ceiling fans don’t actually lower the room temperature, but instead work the same way that a breeze does: by moving air around and over your skin, which cools you by accelerating the evaporation of perspiration.
They can be an effective alternative to air conditioner options such as portable air conditioners and ducted reverse-cycle air conditioners, and are much cheaper to buy and run.
Get more tips on keeping your house cool at our comfortable home blog. Or, for more information on Home cooling, see Heating and cooling.
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Newly tested models
2011 test includes the following 10 models:
- Beracove Elegance 24001
- Fanaway EV01 Prevail 210899 *
- Hunter Cabo Frio 24234
- Hunter Pacific EcO2
- Intercept
- Lucci Futura Eco 210873
- Martec Orbital MCE276BN
- Martec Wraptor MFW120W *
- Sapphire SAP1304BWHT
- Vento Sole *
* Retractable blade model.
These models from earlier tests are also still available:
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Airflow ACES56
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Cinni Colonial
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Cinni Milano
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HPM Air Boss WATCF13AW
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Hunter Carera
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Hunter Industrie II
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Hunter Low Profile III
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Hunter Outdoor II
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Hunter Pacific Aurora Alternatives 2
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Hunter Pacific Concept 2
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Hunter Pacific Sycamore
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Hunter Pacific Typhoon 316
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Hunter Pacific Typhoon Timber
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Hunter Savoy
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Hunter Sonic
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Hunter Vista
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Martec Envirofan
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Martec Quadrant
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Omega Airspace
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Omega New Yorker
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Omega Seattle
How we test
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Performance is evaluated using our test program and quality requirements by a specialised external lab with a controlled test room measuring 4.5m x 4.5m x 2.4m high. The room has no furniture or heat source and has bare flat walls, floor and ceiling. Room temperature and humidity are measured before and during the tests to confirm their consistency for all tests. All fans are pre-conditioned by running on maximum speed for one hour. Fan rotational frequency is measured with a tachometer on each regulator setting. The instrument output is averaged over one minute for each reading. Measurements are completed for the highest and lowest regulator settings only. Total air delivery is calculated for both high and low settings. The temperature rise of the regulator and fan motor is measured after approximately 30 minutes of operating time.
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Ease of use includes quality of installation instructions, use of the fan control and the ability to reverse the rotational direction of the fan. We also look at issues such as moving from one fan speed setting to another.
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Noise (dBA) is measured in the test room on the lowest and highest regulator settings, as well as the highest regulator setting in reverse fan direction, using a sound level meter positioned one metre below the centre of the fan. The dB values are comparative only. A listening test is also used to describe the type of sound (“clicking”, “humming” and so on).
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