Flexible Duct Hangers - The Right Way to Hang Flexible Air Conditioning Duct

An important issue today in relation to the efficiency of air-conditioning systems is the hanging of flexible duct so as not to impede or restrict air-flows. FDH - Flexible duct hangers have a unique adjustable design which allows ease of correct installation of flexible duct to help solve this problem.

Throughout the world there is a common problem in a lot of ducted air-conditioning systems, that problem, inefficiency. When air-conditioning systems are installed, be they industrial, commercial or domestic systems, problems arise which cause power consuming inefficiency like thermal loss. This inefficiency stems from the restriction of required/designed airflow rates. The source of this problem is the incorrect installation of flexible duct.

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Currently, flexible duct is being hung using various non-compliant materials and methods - if at all. Some of these materials are; blue plastic packing strap and a piece gutter guard, duct tape, foil insulation tape, string and strips of wire to name a few. The uses of these materials can and sometimes do cut into the foil or plastic outer jacket of the duct allowing air leakage. The coiling, distorting, crushing and kinking of the duct creates not only restrictions in the airflow but also poor thermal effectiveness of the insulation. In some extreme cases, the over pressurisation of air in the duct can cause excessive leakage or "blow-out" of the duct, or even overworking of the fan leading to possible breakdown and costly service call.

There is an industry practice to hang flexible duct to various standards, in America for instance, the standard is called the S.M.A.C.N.A. Standards. Where in Australia it is a requirement of Australian Standards AS4254 (2002), which is almost a mirror image of the American Standard. Section 2.8.5 of AS4254 gives a brief overview of what is required. This section will need to be updated in 2009 to incorporate the new Building Code of Australia (BCA) Section "J" duct insulation requirements which are being brought into force this year. The BCA now requires a minimum duct insulation thicknesses for ducted air-conditioning systems, be they rigid type or flexible duct type. The minimum insulation thickness is now 38mm, whereas formerly it was 25mm.

Using a correct method of installation as per the standards and an easily adjustable flexible duct hanger material could ensure these problems being elevated. When flexible duct is hung correctly, the air conditioned air flows unimpeded to the diffuser to evenly disperse the warm or cool air as required. The wear and tear on the fan coil unit is reduced as it is not working as hard against a restricted airflow path. An efficient system would in turn use less power, saving money in operation time and servicing breakdowns.

Flexible Duct Hangers - The Right Way to Hang Flexible Air Conditioning Duct

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Ceiling Fan Blades

Outdoor ceiling fans are great pieces of furniture and they are great at improving the way your house looks and cooling off your back porch. If you happen to own one of these fans then it might be a wise idea to get to learn a little bit about it and how it works. Since these fans are sometimes cheaper than other types of furniture they may have a tendency to break.

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If you happen to have owned one of these for quite some time there is probably going to be a point where you are going to have to get the blades on it replaced or fixed. It is important to know that the blades play a very big rule on how your ceiling fan operates and how it looks.

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Getting the ride adjusted blades will make or break your fan basically. The length, angle, size and material of the blades will determine how loud it is when it's running and how safe it will look. If you buy blades that are to big there is a good chance your fan will be going all over the place.

When you go to replace a set of blades make sure that you measure the ones that you had installed before. This way you can make sure that the size you will be buying is going to work with your fan. The most important thing is to get the type of ceiling fan blades that will fit best with the model you have. Consider ordering some from your manufacturer or provider of your product if you can.

Ceiling Fan Blades

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Reiker Ceiling Fans Review

Reiker Ceiling fans is one of the best possible appliances that can help you cut utility costs in your home. It combines several sides which regulates temperatures in your home at all times. The flip side for instance allows the temperature of the room to rise for people who need high temperature heating during the winter and then you don't need an air conditioner in the summer as these fans can be regulated to give you the cold air you deserve.

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Reiker Ceiling fans offer one of the best energy efficient home heating systems, alongside a stylish design. The ceiling fans push its heated air downwards unlike most conventional fans that pushes warm air towards the ceiling. The fans also filter their warm air, circulate it and re-heat it in such a way that less energy is used up. Reiker ceiling fans can be installed easily hence you don't need an additional wiring.

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There are several other features that come with each Reiker ceiling fan. The usual measurement for its height, width and depth are; 16 inches, 54 inches, and 14.5 inches respectively. There is a multi-functional remote control that helps a user operate each unit at a distance, this remote system works by simply allowing transmission between the heat modes and the fan itself. It also control multiple fan rotation speeds and if you want more conveniences, the remote can help regulate the thermostat digitally to allow you have more control of the room temperature.

One important feature of the Reiker Ceiling fan is its energy efficient dome lighting technology. This is a fascinating frosted glass light globe design that offers a 150watts measurement of luminous light but in the real sense it utilizes just 30 watts of power.

Reiker ceiling fans are easily assembled and you don't have to buy any other hardware as all you needed has been provided already. You can use a ceiling mount or down rods to install the fan and these have been provided at purchase point.

Each Reiker ceiling fan weighs 40.5 pounds while its power requirement is just 120 volts/60 Hertz. The fan comes with a dust cover, and it has an aged gold color design. It is super- energy efficient and comes with an adjustable thermostat. Each fan has a 3-fan speed, but the fan only functions for warmer seasons. The fan distributes heat effectively throughout an average size room.

Reiker ceiling fans combine three functions in one unit. These functions are light, heater, and fan. Each unit also comes with mounted ceiling.

Getting Reiker fans can be done from several avenues but the best possible way is to get it at discounted prices from online stores. The fan can be purchased online without any extra charges and will be delivered exactly when needed. Reiker fans have been easily assembled and are ready for use, it only requires an easy installation process which can be done by anyone, and hence you don't need to pay extra charges for installation alone.

Reiker Ceiling Fans Review

CEILING FANS

Whole House Air Cleaners Report - Why They Do Not Work!

As you search for that perfect air cleaner to protect your family from dust, pet dander and other airborne allergens, you will run across many different types of air cleaners, air purifiers, air filters and air filtration systems. One of the most interesting and eye catching products on the market is the Whole House HEPA Air Cleaner Filtration System. This report also includes Whole House Air Filters and Whole House Air Purifiers. There are many of them on the market! Unfortunately human nature often kicks into high gear when the wonderful offer of a central whole house air cleaner is advertised as a way of keeping your entire house clean with just one single gizmo! THE FACT IS THESE AIR AIR CLEANING MACHINES JUST CAN'T CLEAN A WHOLE HOUSE!   There are five types of air cleaning products that are advertised to clean a whole house. They are: HEPA air filtration bypass air cleaners  Electronic air cleaners Self-Charging electrostatic air filters Ultraviolet light systems Portable ozone-ionizer air purifiers This report will explain the truth about how each of these products actually operate and what benefits they really do provide for you. Also included are the proper steps to take for a clean indoor air environment.

Myth #1. Whole house HEPA air cleaner / bypass systems - These somewhat expensive systems are flawed in design from the beginning. The idea behind these units is to pull a portion of the air stream from the return side of your furnace or air conditioning system, clean it and then return it into the supply side of the furnace or air conditioning systems ductwork. Most of the time, it involves taking up to 30% of the air from the return ductwork. The air is then cleaned with a high efficiency filter such as a HEPA and/or carbon filter. The cleaned air is then returned into the supply ductwork of the air handling system (bypassing" the air handler unit). Such an air cleaning system under this design poses many areas of failure. First of all, you are assuming that the majority of the airborne contaminants in your living space are drawn into the heating and or cooling system.

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However, home heating/air conditioning systems are designed to heat and cool. They are not designed to pull dust, dander and allergens into a HEPA air cleaner from the narrow return ductwork at far distances. Note that the great majority of homes have only one air return per air conditioning system. So without having a means of returning the air from each and every room to the air handler, the overall effectiveness of these HEPA air cleaner systems is nullified. This is because the majority of rooms will not be able to have dirty air pulled from them. So the "whole house" air cleaner will only be able to clean the dirty air that makes it into the return side of the ductwork. This is a very limited amount! Secondly, in order for the HEPA air cleaner to work at all, the fan for the HEPA cleaner and the fan for the air handler unit must run all of the time.

THIS MEANS HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS! Having both blower units running constantly uses significantly more electricity than portable systems located in individual rooms. Lastly, and more importantly, even in an ideal world where the air from all over the house is making it back into the return duct work through multiple air returns, a bypass system is only cleaning up to 30% of the return air because it is only receiving up to 30% of the return air. This means, even if the HEPA air cleaner unit is running at 100% efficiency for all contaminants, only 30% of the entire air going through the return duct work is actually being cleaned. Therefore, when you look at the system as a whole, it is only 30% efficient. Plus the entire air return duct work from the air vents in the rooms to the HEPA air cleaner system will become filthy because the air entering into the return duct work is not being filtered! Also these whole house cleaning systems require expensive pre-filter replacements to protect the even more expensive HEPA filter! The bottom line here is that Central HEPA filtered types that install into air conditioning / furnace systems cannot properly clean the air in an entire house or building!

Myth #2. Whole house electronic cleaner systems (Also Called Electrostatic precipitators) - Electronic systems are made to fit into the air return side of the central air conditioning system or furnace. They can only filter the air that is brought into them from the air return duct or area that leads to the electronic  cleaner unit. These units use electrically charged metal or fiber cells that attract dust particles onto them. Unfortunately this old technology is outdated and it does not work well! This is because after a light amount of dust covers the surface of the charged cell grid, the rest of the incoming dust and allergens will pass right through the air cleaner and back into the indoor environment for people to breathe! Also, Central Electronic Cleaners with Charged Collector Cell Grids Produce Non-Adjustable Levels of Ozone! This can be an irritant to people with asthma and lung problems! Since most homes and buildings have only one central air return per system or zone, these electronic cleaners cannot pull dirty air from rooms or areas that are more then a few feet away from the air return that is attached to or leading to the electronic air cleaner. Major companies that produce these electronic cleaners are Honeywell, Trion and Aprilaire. THERE IS NO WAY that central electronic cleaners can pull the dirty air from across the house or from the inside of bedrooms and or offices that are away from the central air return area in your home or building! They Are Not Whole House Air Cleaners!

Myth #3. Whole house self-charging electrostatic air filters. These air filters are custom made to size to replace your existing throw away air filters in your furnace or central air conditioning systems air handler unit or air return. They are made from multiple layers of poly propylene fiber which allow them to become electrically charged when air flows through them. They can then grab dust and allergens onto them like a magnet. These air filters are durable, washable, reasonably priced and they can last for many years. They are wonderful for keeping your air conditioning or heating system and ductwork clean as they can catch and remove very small particles of dust and allergens from the air in your home or building! However, just like the less effective throw away filters, self charging electrostatic air filters can only clean the air from the air handler unit or from the air return area they are operating from! Self-charging electrostatic air filters cannot pull the dirty air from across the house or from the inside of bedrooms and or offices that are away from the central air return area in your home or building! They Are Not Whole House Air Filters!

Myth #4. Whole house ultra-violet (UV) light systems for central air conditioning units - These ultra-violet light systems are installed into air conditioning systems to kill mold and bacteria. They do not remove dust, particulates or airborne allergens from the A/C system, air ducts or from the indoor environment! These units are supposed to be installed so the ultra-violet lights are shining onto the evaporator coil on the air return intake side to prevent mold and bacteria growth on the evaporator coil and surrounding area, yet many of these units are installed improperly into areas of the air handler or air plenum where they can not do much good. Beware of UV light systems that produce ozone! Many of these UV light systems produce ozone at levels that cannot be controlled! Too much ozone can be an irritant to people with asthma and lung problems! I have experienced ozone producing UV light systems that created so much ozone it burned my eyes and throat.

And I do not have asthma or any lung problems at all! Some of these units are also produced with non-ozone producing UV bulbs. However please note, if an air conditioning system is clean and installed properly and it has a high quality self charging electrostatic or pleated air filter in it to protect the air handler and evaporator coil from dust, the chance of the evaporator coil and the rest of the system becoming contaminated with dirt, mold and bacteria will be greatly reduced. We recommend properly cleaning your air conditioning system and duct work while installing an upgraded quality air filter instead of an ultra-violet light system. Please know that ultra-violet Light units for your air conditioning system are not whole house air cleaners even though people will claim that they will keep your entire home clean!

Myth# 5. Whole house Portable ozone ionizer air purifiers - Some air purifiers include both needle point and radio wave ionizers that can ionize the air in mutable rooms in your home or building. These units produce negative ions that are sent into the air. Negative ions work by attaching themselves to small floating particles in your indoor air forcing the particles to quickly drop out of suspension and then down to the ground or onto any surface below. These purifiers will drop smoke, dust, pollen and animal dander from the floating indoor air environment and down to the surface below to be vacuumed. However if your bedroom is in the area being ionized, floating particles including allergens can drop onto you while sleeping in bed. This can cause problems for those with allergies and asthma. Some of these machines also produce adjustable levels of ozone.

Ozone is that fresh smell that occurs after a thunderstorm when lightning cuts through the oxygen splitting some of the oxygen in the air into ozone. Ozone does a wonderful job of removing all kinds of odors such as smoke odors, musty odors, pet odors, food odors, chemical odors, and body odors. The ozone works by oxidizing the odors. However, since ozone is an oxidizer it can be an irritant to those with asthma and lung disease if turned up to high. So if you or a family member has asthma or lung problems, ozone -ionizer air purifiers are not for you! IF YOU'RE A SMOKER THEY REALLY DO A GREAT JOB OF QUICKLY REMOVING FLOATING CIGARETTE SMOKE, CIGAR SMOKE AND ODORS FROM INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS.

Please remember that these air purifiers do not filter the air and they are not whole house air cleaners even though people often claim that they are! THE ANSWER, What You Can Do For a Clean Indoor Environment As explained above, there is no one single air cleaning system that will keep your entire home or building dust or allergen free. If you have a central air conditioning or furnace system in your home or building and you have the desire to keep it as dust and allergen free as possible, follow the four steps below for a clean and healthy indoor environment.
Keep you ducted air conditioning system or furnace clean and install a quality self charging electrostatic air filter or pleated air filter in the main air return or air handler unit to keep your system clean for the future. If you desire to have your air ducts and air handler unit properly cleaned visit the National Air Duct Cleaners Association at NADCA Dot Com  and interview some of the members in your area so you can choose the right air duct cleaning company that will best fit your needs. Purchase and place a quality HEPA air cleaner or HEPA air purifier in the most important areas of your home or building that need to be the most dust or allergy free. Most people place HEPA air cleaners or HEPA air purifiers in the bedrooms, family room and office area if there is one. If you have a mold problem in your living space or if you need a unit that will kill and reduce mold bacteria and viruses, make sure you purchase a portable air cleaning unit that includes a non ozone producing ultra-violet light system. When choosing a portable HEPA air cleaner or HEPA air purifier it is important to look for brands and models that are quiet while producing the highest air exchange rate per hour in any given sized room or area, at the lowest aftermarket filter replacement cost. We feel that the highest quality HEPA  units on the market are made by Austin Air, TRACS and EZ Air.  If possible replace all carpeting with ceramic tile or hardwood floors. Tile is best New carpeting is loaded with toxic chemicals that will outgas for a period of 2-3 years and old carpeting is often loaded with dust and allergens that include molds, bacteria, dead skin, animal dander and dust mite allergen. All of these problems are major triggers for allergies and asthma! If the carpeting must stay, VACUUM OFTEN! Use a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner that is sealed tight so the fine dust does not blow back into your indoor environment while you are vacuuming. Sweeping ceramic tile or hardwood floors is not the best way to clean as it causes the dust and allergens to fly back into the air. Vacuuming all surfaces with a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner is the best way to go. We feel that the Airstorm HEPA vacuum cleaner is the highest quality HEPA vacuum cleaner on the market. Un-clutter your living space and keep it Clean. This is very important! Also get rid of all feather pillows and wash all of your bedding in HOT water as least once a week to limit dust and Dust Mite allergen from building up. Dust Mite allergen is very reactive to people with allergies and asthma. It must be reduced as much as possible! If you have pets, do not allow them into your bedrooms to spread their animal dander. Look at your bedrooms as a safe haven to sleep in if you are allergic to your pet dog or cat. If you do have pets and follow these four steps, you will have a much better chance of being able to keep the pets that you love and live with. It is our hope that this report will be helpful to you in creating a healthy, clean, more allergy free indoor environment for your family or workplace employees!

Whole House Air Cleaners Report - Why They Do Not Work!

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Outdoor Ceiling Fans

If you are planning on installing a ceiling fan in an outdoor location, it is important to purchase a fan that is designed specifically for that purpose. If you install an indoor fan in an outdoor area it is likely to short out (which can be hazardous) or simply break down prematurely. Outdoor ceiling fans are designed differently than indoor ceiling fans because they need to be able to the forces of mother nature.

ceiling fans with lights and remote

Here are some of the ways that outdoor ceiling fans differ from those made for indoors:

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The decorative motor casing is either sealed or designed to prevent water or moisture from coming in contact with the actual motor inside. The wiring is a higher grade with additional shielding. Screws and other components are typically made of stainless steel. The finish on the motor casing and hardware is usually a weather resistant powder coat, stainless steel, or has some additional protective coating that can handle exposure to the elements. The blades are likely made of ABS plastic rather than plywood. ABS is a very strong durable material that resists warping and discoloration from moisture or UV exposure. Light fixtures are sealed on top and designed for outdoors The mounting hardware is either water tight or designed to prevent water from entering from above.
There are 2 types of outdoor ceiling fans, those rated for DAMP locations and those rated for WET locations. There is a notable difference between the two and it is important that you choose the right type for your application. In either case, make sure the fan you purchase is UL Listed for the application you need so that you know it can be safely installed without creating a potential electrical hazard.

Here are the differences between the two types of outdoor fans:

Damp rated outdoor fans are designed to handle moisture but not direct contact with rain or running water. Therefore, a damp rated outdoor ceiling fan can be installed in a covered area such as a patio or screened in porch or other areas that are protected from rain or dripping water.

Wet rated outdoor fans are designed to handle direct exposure to rain. They can be installed in virtually any indoor or outdoor location, covered or uncovered. So you can install a wet rated outdoor ceiling fan in an open gazebo, lattice covered lanai or other similar shade structure as well as under a covered porch or patio. Because wet rated outdoor fans are pretty much water tight, you can actually clean them by hosing them off...which is a great reason to buy a wet rated fan even if all you need is a damp rated model.

Commonly asked questions about outdoor fans:

Can an outdoor ceiling fan be installed indoors?

Yes, you can install an outdoor fan in your living room or any other room in your home where you want a fan. Many people will do this simply because they like the look of a particular outdoor fan. Also, outdoor fans are highly recommended for laundry rooms and bathrooms or any other room inside your home that that tends to have excessive moisture. In more humid climates, outdoor fans are a great choice for every room in the home.

I live in a very windy area and have had problems with blades breaking off...are there any outdoor fans that are made to handle high winds?

High winds can in fact sheer the blades off a ceiling fan, particularly cheaper models that use lightweight materials. Usually it is the metal blade holders that attach the blades to the fan that break rather than the blades themselves. So if you are in an area prone to high winds, outdoor fans that do not have blade holders are your best choice. If the fan is to be installed in an area that is 9 feet high or less, a hugger style outdoor fan is even better. A perfect example of such a fan is the Minka Aire Concept II Wet, which is one of the very few outdoor fans that meet this criteria.

Are there any outdoor fans that are designed to be taken down easily or that have blades that are easy to take off when a storm is coming?

This is a very common question. Unfortunately the answer is no. There are no ceiling fans designed with a "Quick Disconnect" mechanism or with blades that snap on and off. However, I suppose that if any fan manufacturer came up with such a fan it would be a big seller.

Running wires and installing a junction box can be difficult in many outdoor applications. Are there any outdoor ceiling fans that are battery operated?

Although DC powered ceiling fans are now in fact available, they are not yet powerful enough to handle the needs of outdoor applications, nor are they being designed to work from batteries. Currently, most DC powered ceiling fans use an AC/DC converter, so they still require electrical wiring. However, I would look for this to change in the near future...most likely in the next year or two.

Can a remote control be added to an outdoor ceiling fan?

Most add-on remotes or wall controls are not rated for use outdoors, so unless the control is specifically designed for the fan you are considering and is rated for the correct application (Damp or Wet), then you should not use it. If a remote control or wall control is important to you, look for outdoor fans that have such a control included with the fan.

Can any light fixture be added to an outdoor ceiling fan?

No. Just as ceiling fans are rated for Damp or Wet locations, so are the light fixtures that are used with them. Make sure you purchase a light fixture that is made by the manufacturer of the fan and that has the same rating. If you want an outdoor fan with a light fixture, your best bet is to purchase one comes with one, this way you can be certain they are compatible.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans

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Practical Tips For DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling

One of the most distinctive and important elements of your kitchen is probably the cabinetry. Not only do the kitchen cabinets help bring out the overall style and theme of the kitchen, they also serve a significant functional purpose. The cabinets are where we put many kitchen must-haves and also serve as a pantry where we place many packaged grocery items.

Kitchen cabinets are also a great way to assess if the kitchen is up-to-date which is why remodeling your cabinets may be a good idea if you feel they are too retro and in need of upgrading. The costs of kitchen remodeling often makes homeowners slightly anxious and provides sufficient reason to postpone any renovation effort. Fortunately, you can remodel your kitchen cabinets by turning it into a DIY cabinet remodeling project.

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First, sit down and think about the best choice of wood stain or paint color for your kitchen cabinets. If you feel like you are capable of handling the job on your own, there are many helpful home improvement stores such as Home Depot or Lowes that can be of great assistance both before and during the project. These stores have helpful staff that are ready and willing to help and can guide you toward selecting the right cabinets, refinishing stain or paint color to coordinate with your existing kitchen décor and style.

You can visit their websites at homedepot.com and lowes.com to check out their products and any great deals available to help you save even more money on your remodeling project. This also allows you to get an idea as to how much your new cabinets will cost if you have opted to replace them completely and also choose the style that is best for your kitchen.

If replacing your old cabinets is not an option, repainting them is a good alternative to give them a new look. Having a kitchen theme in mind will help in determining which color to choose. For example, if you have a cherry themed kitchen, you may want to paint the kitchen cabinets red. Or, if you will go with an ocean theme in your kitchen, perhaps you could paint the cabinets a light blue to imitate the color of the ocean. These are only two of the many great ideas you could have for remodeling your kitchen cabinets and surely, whatever your theme may be, you will want to find the perfect color to instantly give a fresh new look to your kitchen.

For more information as to what type of paint to use on your cabinets, take the time to visit your local home improvement stores as mentioned above. Their friendly staff can help you choose the right paint for your project. Their online stores at the links mentioned above are always available to provide you with an estimate as to how much the pain itself will cost as well as any supplies you need to apply it.

Practical Tips For DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Looking Into Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fans From Lowe's

When it's time to buy a new ceiling fan, you'll undoubtedly want to look for one that is both high-quality and low in price. A Harbor Breeze fan from Lowe's can be the perfect solution. Harbor Breeze is Lowe's own store brand, and the store fully backs every purchase, so you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain from buying your ceiling fan at Lowe's.

No matter which of the different fan models you choose, all fans have been built using the same high standards. They are designed to look stylish, operate quietly, install easily, and come at a price that is very affordable. All of the fans are energy efficient and carry the Energy Star label. Therefore, they won't cost you a lot to operate, and there are often rebates available from your electric company for buying Energy Star products as well.

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

The 52" Bellhaven ceiling fan is one of the lovely choices you can get from Harbor Breeze. You can buy it with either a bronze of nickel housing and hardware, and the 5 blades have a cherry finish and are reversible. The light kit that comes with the fan includes four beautiful alabaster globes. By installing this quality fan in your home, you'll be able to save so much on energy costs during the life of the fan that you'll reimburse yourself for the initial 0 cost of the fan many times over.

If you'd like a smaller ceiling fan, the 42" Princess Euro fan might be just what you're looking for. This Harbor Breeze fan features finishes in antique nickel and chrome. The versatile fan includes a light kit, and you can buy it for less than 0.

Harbor Breeze does offer a model for those on a very limited budget. You'll find that the 42" Ocracoke Dual Mount ceiling fan can be yours for less than . There are a lot of higher-priced Harbor Breeze fans available, but the three mentioned in this article are the most affordable fans in the line. The staff at Lowe's knows their fans, and they'll be there willing to answer any questions you might come up with while shopping for a ceiling fan.

No matter what brand of fan you want to buy, it's a good idea to do some online research about the different options that are available. In addition, you need to decide on the size of fan that would be best in your room. By doing this internet search you will probably discover that you can't beat the prices and warranties available with Harbor Breeze ceiling fans.

Make Decisions before Shopping

Look at the room where you're planning to install a fan. What size will do the best job for you? If you have a small room, then a 48" fan will probably be all that you need. For a large family room, a 52" fan will be a better choice. How many blades would you like your fan to have? You can find models ranging from 3 to 6 blades. Consider your décor and decide what color and style of fan would fit in best. You'd hate to buy a new Harbor Breeze fan that ended up looking out of place in the room you're putting it in.

One additional cost to consider is the price of having any extra wiring done that you may need in order to install the fan. A fan that is for cooling only will probably work using the wiring you already have for your overhead light. However, if you still need that light and purchase a fan with a light kit, you'll need additional wiring in order to run both features. You should also consider whether you want the extra expense of buying a remote for your fan.

Looking Into Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fans From Lowe's

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Ceiling Fans Leading the Future

The Current Market

Ceiling fans have been gaining in popularity for the past 20 years. What started as a cost effective alternative to air conditioning to cool your living room bedroom or kitchen has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. Ceiling fans are now offered in many styles and price ranges from the very basic to high end designer styles. They can cost from less than one hundred to several thousand dollars and are being made to suit any taste or preference.

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

The ceiling fan manufacturing industry has evolved to provide very high quality fans at reasonable costs and has built the consumer market for these products. This led to explosive growth in the sales of fans through the home improvement retailers like Home Depot, Lowes and others. The days of showroom sales for the mid to high level fans may be in for a change due the marketing efforts of these industry giants.

Marketing data suggests that approximately 70% of all ceiling fans are being installed by the homeowner within 2 years of occupying their home. They are replacing the existing lighting fixtures with higher grade fixtures and ceiling fans in the bedroom and kitchen area. The living room is also a popular choice for fixture replacement with ceiling fan and lighting kit combinations being installed in greater numbers.

The consumer is faced with so many choices in the market today that it can be a bewildering experience for today's consumer. The average purchaser is going down to their favorite home improvement store to choose their new fan or lighting fixture or even making their choice on the internet. They come to a lighting specialty store or showroom only after being overwhelmed by the choices in the home improvement stores aisles which provide little if any service or assistance.

The choice of fans today is greater than at any time in past 5 to 10 years. Many of the major brands are also selling products in the home improvement market. Companies like Hunter are distributing several models in Home Depot this trend is expected to increase as they gain market share.

Changing Technology

Numerous manufacturers have been paying attention to this trend in the consumer market and are providing fans that meet the needs of today's consumer. The ease of assembly and use of pre-assembled components speed the installation of their products.

Westinghouse Lighting Corporation has a line of fans that captures all of these needs and they claim can be installed in 15 minutes on average. The weak link in all of these improvements is the ceiling box itself. This is the component that the fan is attached to and must bear the static and dynamic loads of the fans operation. It also houses the electrical wiring for the fan. This utilitarian component has been under going improvement for the past 10 years or more to make its' installation quicker, cheaper and easier than the traditional metal box of yesterday.

The electrical contractor of today is using products that increase his productivity and maximize the potential profit of his labor. They have a large choice of nail-on products that already have the fasteners attached to the ceiling box and all they have to do is hold it in place and nail or screw it into a joist or truss for it to be secured. Many of these boxes are thermoplastics which are inexpensive and easy to manufacture. They also have the added advantage of not needing to be electrically grounded so this saves the additional labor that metal boxes require.

This fact is not lost on the ceiling box manufacturers that are producing ceiling, outlet and junction boxes that are quick to install and are made of plastics that require less and less labor to install properly. This has gotten to the point that there is now a lighting box that only needs to be pushed onto a wooden stud for it to be secured; no fasteners are needed at all!

The ceiling fan manufacturers however may not be keeping pace with the trend in ceiling box installation practices. They advise the consumer of their products to reinforce or replace the existing fixture with a fan-rated ceiling box which is prudent, though are the consumers heeding their installation directives?

The installation instructions for many of the fans available today show a metal type box that has screws going thru the box and into blocking above the box. This is not what is installed in most of the newer construction homes which use the labor saving nail-on products. As a general rule builders and contractors do not provide blocking above the ceiling box with a nail-on product as the added material & labor is not cost effective.

The average nail-on plastic ceiling box is rated for only supporting a 35 pound static load. They are also not fan-rated. This requires that the ceiling box be replaced with a fan-rated box before the installation of a ceiling fan. Fan-rated boxes are capable of holding 70 pound loads and are rated for this application. This is easier said than done! The nail-on products do not lend themselves to be reinforced easily since labor savings have also been applied to the construction of homes themselves. In many circumstance the average home does not have an attic, only a narrow crawl space between the trusses is provided. This combined with blow-in insulation makes the location of the ceiling box difficult if not impossible when a fan is to be hung on an upper floor.

For installation of a ceiling fan between floors leaves little choice for this task since it cannot be accessed easily from above or below the ceiling since the upper floor is directly above the ceiling box. Cutting a hole in the floor or knocking out the ceiling is not prudent just to place blocking above a ceiling box. Medallions are available but the added expense, labor and time can be prohibitive, especially if the medallion is painted to match the ceiling. The brace type of products that are sold today are an alternative though they work better in theory than in practice as the old ceiling box needs to be removed before they can be installed. Home Depot has a web page devoted to this process which they claim can take ½ a day to complete.

A Better Way

Following the trends used in the construction methods of today's homes has led to the development of a new and simple method to reinforce an existing ceiling box to that of a fan-rated box that is consumer friendly. Access is gained through the ceiling box itself with a small bracket being utilized in what is in most cases is wasted space within the ceiling box itself. Two fasteners are driven through the ceiling box and into the joist or truss with the bracket being firmly held in position. This bracket has been shown by independent testing by a leading product testing laboratory to allow the ceiling box to sustain very large dynamic loads.

This testing revealed that ordinary thermoplastic ceiling boxes that are reinforced in this manner are capable of sustaining loads that are factors above the requirements of NEC (314.27D & 422.18). These NEC building codes apply to the installation of ceiling fans and fan-rated ceiling boxes. Another added feature is that this product installs in only 2 minute's or less with common hand tools and allows the installation of a ceiling fan to be accomplished in less than an hour from start to finish. If the Westinghouse fans were to be used with this product it could be done in 17 minutes or less! The product can also be also used with metal boxes after 2 holes have been drilled in the ceiling box.

Failure modes during product testing revealed that the test plate was being pulled off of the ceiling box. The ceiling box is left intact and firmly secured to the simulated test truss. A grounding lug and screw is provided on the bracket to facilitate grounding of the pierced ceiling box to alleviate any concerns regarding an energized component outside of the ceiling box. This product is manufactured in the United States by EE Products Inc. as FAN-EZE under the following U.S. Patents, 6,881,900, 6,909,045, & 6,965,077 and is available for distribution by retail and wholesale sales outlets. Further information regarding the products can be found at http://www.eeproductsinc.com or contacting the company directly at 801-254-5144.

Alan P. Halbert

President

EE Products Inc.

Ceiling Fans Leading the Future

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

What is the Best Outdoor Ceiling Fan?

Ceiling fans can often add a touch of class and elegance to an otherwise dull looking room. Choosing the best one for your home can be quite a chore, especially if you have no experience buying one. Follow these tips the next time you are thinking about purchasing a ceiling fan, and hopefully it will help you decide the right one for you.

The first thing you need to do is visit a local home improvement store, such as Home Depot, Lowes, or even your local hardware store. These places are bound to have experts that can help answer any question or concern you may have about everything from lighting, the fixtures, and even the color scheme. Take a stroll down the ceiling fan aisle and see what kinds of choices they have. A good idea is to bring a picture of the room your looking to put the fan in, and see if it matches the color and decor of the room.

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Another important thing you need to check is the quality of the manufacturer. Some of the most well known brands for ceiling fans are Minka Aire, Westinghouse, and Hunter. Try to steer clear of some of the lesser known brands, simply because the quality is not there. A great place to start looking for a fan, without even leaving your home, is to check out various websites and see which ones people have been satisfied with.

My personal favorite is Minka Aire ceiling fans, because of their vibrancy, look, and overall affordability. Take a look at my site to learn more about all the cool fans they have that can light up any room in your home.

What is the Best Outdoor Ceiling Fan?

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Ceiling Fan Buying Guide: Purchasing The Highest Quality Ceiling Fans

Purchasing a ceiling fan for your home is a serious investment that is intended to last for many, many years to come. Although it may be tempting to just head to the nearest bargain basement store and choose whatever style or design you like, the savvy homeowner does a little bit of research to ensure that they are buying a high quality appliance. When it comes to high quality, you want to look at factors such as fan construction, materials, and motor performance.

ceiling fans with lights

Construction

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The highest quality products you can find share a few things in common - first and foremost, these appliances will move efficiently and ultra-quietly. Their parts are incredible well-designed and typically, fans will feature motors with variable speeds. There are quite a few well-known companies that put their money where their mouth is as far as the quality of their appliances. Some brand names you want to know include Minka Aire, Modern Fan Company, Fanimation, Casa Vieja, Kichler, Emerson, and more. You will find nothing but incredibly well-constructed appliances from these companies.

Materials

Do yourself a favor and investigate the quality of the materials that your fan of choice is made out of. You will especially want to pay close attention to the materials if you're looking for an outdoor ceiling fan model. Exposure to the elements outdoors means that your fan should be designed to withstand such conditions. Look for models that are rust-resistant with a small, even finish. Nothing is worse than investing money in an appliance that rusts and tarnishes over time. Go for another model instead that will offer a timeless look and finish.

Motor Performance

Perhaps the most important factor to pay attention to is the motor. Your ceiling fan motor should have sealed bearings that require no lubrication. This ensures that your appliance runs quietly for up to 12 years. Properly balanced motors and rotors dramatically reduce noise and vibrations. Self-contained oil reservoirs are a must for preventing dust from getting in the motor. This only helps to promote smoother, quieter fan operation and many years full of comfort and enjoyment.

Ultimately, the highest quality ceiling fans on the marked are backed by a long-term warranty. Make sure that whoever the manufacturer of your new fan is that they are standing behind their name and reputation for well-made, quality products. Products that are top quality often come with at least a 10 year warranty, preferable longer. Also make sure that your fan is listed with the Underwriters Laboratory. You may have noted certifications such as UL wet rated or UL damp rated. This means that your new ceiling fan has been tested and passed industry product safety certifications.

Ceiling Fan Buying Guide: Purchasing The Highest Quality Ceiling Fans

CEILING FANS

Kids' Ceiling Fans

There are ceiling fans designed especially for children, which have designs made to appeal to the imaginations and interests of young ones. There is a wide selection of children's ceiling fans from many different manufacturers. Some fans have themes like sports, rockets, or airplanes. Other ceiling fans have translucent designs or other unique features. Children's ceiling fans come in a variety of sizes, from petite to large.

ceiling fans

Many popular kids' ceiling fans have designs on the blades and lights. Sports are a common theme. Many ceiling fans have paintings of baseball bats on the blades and have lights bulb covers shaped like baseballs or soccer balls. Other themed ceiling fans are made to look like space rockets. They are often made out of silver colored metal and are painted to look like the same rockets that are sent to outer space. Other ceiling fans for kids are painted to look like classic airplanes, with the blades as propellers.

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Other unique children's ceiling fans have clear blades or neon colors. Some even have lights actually built into the fan, rather than hanging down separately. These fans are smaller and less bulky than standard fans, and the entire fan is glows when the fan's light switch is flipped on.

Children's ceiling fans come in all of the different wingspans of standard fans. Although many kid's fans are small, some with a wingspan of 30 inches, they are available in wingspans ranging up to 55 inches.

Ceiling fans for children can appeal to people of all ages. Any sports fan could want to show their love for the game by purchasing a baseball-themed fan. Others may be enchanted by translucent or neon ceiling fans.

Kids' Ceiling Fans

CEILING FANS

Energy Conservation - Ceiling Fans and Other Considerations

There is no question that one of the most significant economic issues facing the average homeowner is how to cope with the ever-increasing cost of energy. We all know what many of the major reasons are behind this continual escalation in the cost of what it takes to heat and cool our homes, condos, townhouses and apartments. Our dependency on foreign countries for oil and increases in the prices of this oil is no doubt the major reason we are paying more and more for consumable energy resources. The cost of electricity is also on the rise as a result of domestic factors too numerous to mention in this brief paper.

ceiling fans with lights

The bottom line is that we have to somehow cope with what appears to be an ongoing problem with no relief in sight. We have no alternative.

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Before discussing the energy saving benefits of installing ceiling fans, I'm going to briefly outline some other measures you can take to help reduce your energy bills.

How often do you have a professional evaluate the efficiency of your furnace and air conditioning system? Most of you will probably have to check the label pasted on your furnace to answer this question. If that's the case, the answer to my question is that it has been far too long since you've had a professional checkup by a qualified HVAC professional. An inefficient furnace will typically not give you any indications that it isn't working in the most cost-effective manner possible. Like anything mechanical, a furnace and air conditioning system will begin to work less efficiently over time. I assume that you check the oil, etc. in your automobile at regular intervals. Why aren't you doing the same with your heating and air conditioning system?

Most homeowners are delinquent when it comes to replacing the furnace air filter. The principle of "out of sight - out of mind" applies here. The air filter is located in a seldom-visited area and consequently gets little attention until someone happens to say, "When's the last time we changed the air filter?" Sound familiar? An air filter doesn't take long to become a liability. The more debris the filter collects, the harder the motor needs to work to satisfy the thermostat's requirement. The harder the motor works, the more electricity it takes to get it to do the job. In extreme cases, a seriously plugged up air filter can even be a fire hazard. The filters I use cost about a buck and I make it a point to change them every month with the help of a reminder penciled in on the calendar.

Cut down on your energy costs by making sure that the doors in rooms that are seldom used are kept closed. If these rooms don't have a heating vent, they will be colder in the winter than other parts of the house. This cold air migrates out through doors that are left open and increases your heating costs. As a side note, if you live in a multi-level home, the upper floors may be warmer than the lower floors where the thermostat is located. Get the heating balanced in these upper-level rooms or at least close the heat source in the room to get the heat consistent with the lower level rooms. Use a thermometer to check the heat in these rooms. In fact, these small, wall mounted units are so inexpensive you should consider installing one in every room on the upper level.

Window insulation is another part of the home that is often neglected. One of the easiest ways to do a self-check is to shutdown your furnace fan and use a candle to produce a small amount of smoke near each window. Take care not to set fire to the curtains. If the smoke drifts toward the window, there's a very good chance that your insulation is not doing its job the way it should. A significant smoke drift may indicate that you need to completely re-insulate the window(s). Heating leaks due to poorly insulated windows is one of the major energy wasters for the typical homeowner.

Caulking windows and doors (actually, re-caulking them) is also an energy saver. Most caulk has a limited useful lifetime when it comes to the flexibility necessary to prevent warm (or cool) air from escaping from doors and windows. Sometimes you can get away with just patching the existing caulking. However, in extreme cases, get ready to chip out the old before replacing it with the new. Check with your home center or hardware pros to find out what the latest and greatest technology is in terms of caulking material. If the best costs a little more, it's money well spent.

It's time to get to the topic of the ceiling fan and are they really a cost-saver when it comes to energy conservation? To start with, believe it or not, the average ceiling fan costs less than a nickel an hour to operate while a central air conditioning unit costs around a half-dollar an hour to operate. Ceiling fans differ from air conditioners in that they don't really cool the air. What they do is produce what is known as a cooling effect because of the breeze that they create. This breeze evaporates skin moisture and makes you feel more comfortable.

In many areas, a ceiling fan will not produce a sufficient cooling effect to keep you comfortable, particularly during the warmer weather. One energy saving trick is to install ceiling fans, turn up the thermostat five to ten degrees (running the air conditioner less) and then turn on the ceiling fan. In most cases, the comfort level will be about the same as it would be if you just ran the air conditioner at a lower thermostat setting without a ceiling fan.

While some of the more powerful ceiling fan motors will use more energy to operate, the amount of air they will circulate usually offsets this additional cost and may even save money in the long run.

A little known fact is that ceiling fans can act as a heat balancer in the winter months. Warm air naturally rises leaving a layer of cooler air near the floor where you happen to live. Set the rotation of the fan to reverse the normal, cooling direction. The fan will then effectively break-up the layering of cool and warm air in the room by forcing the warm air trapped near the ceiling towards the wall. As it reaches the wall, this warm air will move downward and eventually mix with the cold layer near the floor (without creating a draft). The cool and warm air will effectively mix and provide a warmer, and more even temperature level throughout the room. This warmer air will "tell" the thermostat that it doesn't need to turn the furnace on so frequently to keep the temperature at a comfortable level. The result is that you save on energy costs.

The relative energy cost of using ceiling fan lighting rather than conventional light fixtures depends on the types of bulbs you are using. Incandescent bulbs waste the most energy in proportion to the amount of light they produce. Fluorescent lights are far more energy efficient and can be used in many ceiling fans and other conventional lighting fixtures.

A final note about the most recent innovations in ceiling fans and lighting fixtures: There are ceiling fans available that are Energy Star rated. Energy Star is a designation awarded to appliances that conform to governmental standards for energy efficiency and conservation. Ceiling fans that are Energy Star rated have motors that run more efficiently and use fluorescent lighting if the fan is a lighted model. Although there are not as many models available that meet the Energy Star's requirements, it's worth looking into.

Energy Conservation - Ceiling Fans and Other Considerations

CEILING FANS

Ceiling Fans Serve a Variety of Purposes!

Ceiling fans can do so much for our homes. They help us save money, keep us cooler, and make our homes look better. Why would anyone not want a ceiling fan? This article will give a small glimpse into what types of fans are out there, where to find them, and which ones are right for your home.

First of all there are more different brands and styles of fans than can be counted. If you want to get the highest rated brands consider are Hunter, Westinghouse and Fanamatic. Each of these manufacturers constructs traditional and non-traditional fan types. As far as styles go, there are horizontal and fans with retractable blades. A typical horizontal ceiling fan has a 40 blade pitch and works perfectly on a ceiling slope of 30 degrees. There are industrial ceiling fans which is a large ceiling fan rated for indoor and outdoor use, usually containing 3 large blades rather than 4. There are low profile and rustic style ceiling fans. There certainly are no shortage of styles and performance.

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

The beauty with today's technology is even the most complex of purchases can be done on the internet. With many well-known stores such as Home Depot or Lowes there are discounts to be had. Because the internet is so advanced many retailers are offering hefty discounts for online purchases. If you're like me though you would rather go into a store to be certain you are truly getting what you want. For those of you who prefer online shopping, you may be rewarded with free shipping and a lower priced item. Less overhead for the store is often times paid into your pockets. There are other online avenues that make shopping easy and for those who are scared of giving out a credit card number there are companies such as pay pal that keep all of your information safe.

Which fans are right for you depends on your needs. There are fans suitable for patios and high vaulted ceilings. There are also some for smaller rooms and low profile fans for lower ceilings. If you want to spice up your home a bit or need to save money a fan can do exactly that.

Ceiling Fans Serve a Variety of Purposes!

CEILING FANS AT LOWES

Kids Ceiling Fans - Airy Solutions - Why Would You Need Kids Ceiling Fan?

While decorating your child's room it is necessary that everything is in perfect sync with everything else. Its not just about the colors when it comes to designing you child's room, safety and lots of ground space are two of the most common things kept in mind.

ceiling fans with remote

Installing a ceiling fan in your child's room helps in making sure that your child and his friends are safe from dangers way.

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Kids ceiling fans now come in many great ranges and are even color coded and custom made with the child's favorite cartoon characters. Kids ceiling fans especially designed for your kids are great, easy and a relatively inexpensive solution. These custom made fans help brighten the atmosphere of the room and are known for creating a fun and welcoming environment.

Not only do such fans add character to a child's room but they also enhance its appeal. On the other hand they are cost effective and energy efficient, which helps by saving more money on your monthly utility bills!

Available in many different shapes, sizes, themes and colors for you and your child to choose from and surely the perfect fan will complement your rooms overall look. Kids ceiling fans based on children's favorite movie, cartoon characters, animals, science and fantasy themes, cars and vehicles, airplanes and sports, hobbies, games and anything else that you can imagine.

When shopping online for a Kids ceiling fans it is necessary to take your time and visualize how the fan will look in the room, since there a lot of options online and no annoyingly staring helpers that you might find in a store, be sure you take all the time you need in finding just the perfect fan.

Of all the popular themes, airplanes seem to be of the most famous and sought for. A wide variety of vintage war planes and classic aircrafts with matching fan blades that act as their propellers, and when lying directly beneath the fans, it looks like a real airplane, with its propellers, tail wings and extra propellers for their gliders.

Kids ceiling fans are not only functional, but they are also fun and entertaining to have and will surely look great in any kids room. Princess ceiling fans come complete with pink light fixtures and a lot of glitter.

It is important to remember no matter what Kids ceiling fan you pick that it will reflect on your child's personality and make them feel proud of their "cool" room.

Kids Ceiling Fans - Airy Solutions - Why Would You Need Kids Ceiling Fan?

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