The Benefits of an Electric Fan
Electric fans convert electric energy into mechanical energy to generate circular motion of the blades. They are available in various sizes and shapes with plastic or metal blades.
While public health advice typically warns against the use of fans during heat waves, a new study finds that they actually prevent fatal heart attacks in young people.
1. Keeps You Cool
Everyone loves the welcome relief of a cool breeze on a hot summer day. However, fans alone are not an effective way to beat the heat. A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that fans increase the air temperature and may actually make you feel hotter.
This is because they blow air across your skin which causes sweating. While the sweat does cool you down by evaporating, it also raises the temperature of the room. This creates an unwelcome cycle where the fan increases your temperature and your body tries to compensate by sweating more, which in turn makes the room feel warmer.
To avoid this, choose a fan with an automatic timer that shuts off at a predetermined time or one with a remote control so you can set the fan to come on and off without getting up. You can also choose a fan with a sleep setting or white noise to help you fall asleep and stay cool throughout the night.
Another consideration is the size and type of fan you choose. Desk fans are typically smaller and designed electric fan to sit on your workstation, while tower fans are larger and better equipped to cool down a whole room. Some even come with bladeless technology so they’re less noisy than traditional models.
2. Increases Airflow
An electric fan increases airflow by moving air with an axial force, usually through blades. Fans are rated by how much air they can move, or more specifically how many cubic feet per minute (CFM). The higher the CFM number, the more air the fan moves.
Most electric fans come in a variety of sizes, some are portable while others are mounted on a ceiling and are a permanent part of the home. They can also be used in vehicles to increase the airflow of the engine, especially at low speeds where it is most needed for cooling.
A good electric fan can produce a great deal of power for its size, which is a big advantage over motors that are limited by engine RPM. The paddle blade style is the most efficient in terms of airflow and pressure performance for a given current draw, while at the same time decreasing noise levels.
The most obvious benefit of a fan is that it can help cool an object by moving the heat away from it. The energy absorbed by the object is transferred to the air by friction, and eventually dissipated in the form of heat transfer between the object and the air. The same basic principle applies to people when a fan is used to move air across the skin; sweat evaporates more rapidly, and dehydration is lessened.
3. Exhausts Smoke
Whether your Uncle Rick smokes cigars in his house or you have a kitchen mishap that sends your stove fumes wafting through the home, an electric fan is a handy tool for sucking up the smoke and sending it outside. The electric motor in a portable fan or a ceiling mounted model uses the electricity’s magnetic force to spin the blades, which then suck up smoky air and blow it out through an open window or door.
Consumer- and industrial-grade exhaust fans are found in bathrooms, kitchens and just about any other facility where occupants need to quickly evacuate fumes or odors. These models use an electric motor fed by commercial electricity or, in some cases, a battery. A toggle switch installed inline with the electrical wiring controls power to the electric motor. When the switch is in the “On” position, the electric motor operates. electric fan When the switch is flipped to the “Off” position, the electrical flow is interrupted and the fan shuts off.
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your exhaust fan is important because lint can build up and overheat the motor. If left unattended, this can lead to a fire risk. Luckily, you can avoid this by buying a flexible duct cleaning extension kit at your local hardware store and using it to clean out the ducts that channel the exhaust outside.
4. Keeps You Warm
When most people think of an electric fan they picture a standard three blade option either pedastal or desktop that blows cool air across your face on a hot day. But electrical fans have many more applications than keeping you cool, they can also be used to maintain humidity levels, circulate air in various rooms of the house and even keep your pets comfortable.
One of the most important electric inventions, the fan is a building block of other more advanced technologies such as computers, lasers, large LED lights, petrol and electric automobiles and even space stations. It would be hard to imagine a world without the electric fan!
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that using an electric fan alone during a heat wave may actually make you feel hotter. Researchers tested participants’ heart rate and rhythm, core temperature, whole-body sweat rate and blood pressure in different conditions with and without an electric fan.
The results showed that in humid conditions (above 60% RH) and on hot, dry days fans didn’t help the body lose heat through sweating. Instead, they accelerated the body’s thermal strain by bringing in warmer ambient air and making it harder for the skin to evaporate. The researchers recommended avoiding using fans on such days and instead relying on other techniques for beating the heat. These include staying hydrated, following other tips for cooling off and keeping your home a comfortable temperature such as opening windows, wearing loose clothing and using blinds to keep out the sun.