In a quest to reduce energy costs, homeowners look towards the ceiling fan as a viable solution for days when air conditioning isn’t really required. However, you will find that there isn’t a wide variety of ceiling fans you can choose from at your local department store. Thankfully, there are speciality interior design stores that stock different types of fans which provide a great alternative to the traditional fan you can find in any store. Here are 4 types of ceiling fans that will give any room a distinctive look.
Cast-iron ceiling fan
Cast-iron ceilings fans were pretty much the very first production ceiling fans that were widely available right up to the early 60s. Sporting a cat-iron housing case, these ceiling fans have a heavy duty motor, which was not uncommon for that time; let’s not forget we’re talking about a time period when generating even the smallest amount of power required a considerably large motor. In order to ensure the motor functions efficiently and is reliable, the ceiling fans use oil-bath systems for lubrication purposes. This means that the fans have to be oiled at least twice a year to make sure the lubrication system does its job. It is very common to find cast-iron ceiling fans with lighting fixtures. In fact, it would probably cost you a pretty penny more to find one without lighting.
Stack-motor ceiling fan
If you are looking for a ceiling fan that defines the term “retro”, look no further than the stack-motor ceiling fan. This type of fan dominated the market during the 70s and 80s, primarily because they are very energy efficient, at last for that time. Because stack-motor ceiling fans were so popular, it is possible to find models that are almost new and have rarely been used. If your interior design plans call for a dash of retro, then stack-motor ceiling fans are the perfect solution. However, before purchasing a stack-motor ceiling fan, ensure that the flywheel is not made of rubber; the rubber flywheels are prone to drying out and cracking over time, forcing you to replace them before you can use the fan again.
Belt-driven ceiling fan
If you want the ceiling fans to be the focal point of a room, then the belt-driven ceiling fan is perfect for your needs. It is the ideal solution for a large room that requires numerous fans; despite having multiple ceiling fans, the number of motors required to run them is usually less than half the number of fans. Looking like something right out of a steam punk novel, belt-driven ceiling fans seem like they were purpose-built by a mad scientist to be part of a larger contraption. However, despite appearances, belt-driven ceiling fans are very efficient and are ideal for locations where you need constant air flow, but do not wish to have the gale-force power that other fans provide.
The “punkah”
Tracing its roots to the Indian subcontinent, the ‘punkah’ is a unique ceiling fan. Rather than using many blades spinning horizontally, the punkah consists of a single large blade moving like a pendulum. The blade is made out of fabric, rather than metal and it is very rare to find a punkah. However, for those choosing an Oriental interior design theme, the punkah is a definite must-have. Unlike conventional fans, the punkah does not provide a constant airflow, but rather a gentle breeze. This makes the punkah perfect for gazebos and sheltered patios.
No matter what your design plans are for a room, one of these four fans is sure to be perfect for your requirements.
Ryan Holdings is a blogger and writer of this guest post. He helps provide creative home renovation tips and also maintains a site Theceilngfansite.com where he shares every possible information about ceiling fans. You can visit his site to know more.
