Fans & Air Circulators
An air circulator moves all the air in a room, while a regular fan mainly cools the person in front of it. Choose a circulator to even out temperatures and help AC or heat spread, a tower or pedestal fan for personal cooling, and a purifier fan if you want filtration built in.
How to choose a fan
- Airflow: compare CFM where listed. Higher CFM moves more air per minute.
- Noise: look for decibel figures on low for bedrooms. DC motors often run quieter at low speeds.
- Energy: DC motor fans typically use less power than AC motor fans of similar size.
- Controls: remote, timers, many speed steps and oscillation range.
- Cleaning: removable grilles make it easier to clear dust from blades.
- Safety: tip-over stability and guards matter with kids and pets.
Shop Air Circulator Fans, Tower Fans and Purifier Fans, which combine cooling with a HEPA filter.
FAQs
What is the difference between a fan and an air circulator?
A standard fan pushes a column of air toward you for a cooling breeze. An air circulator, such as a Vornado, is designed to throw air across the room so it bounces off walls and moves all the air in the space, evening out temperature. Circulators can help AC or heating feel more even.
Do fans cool a room?
Fans do not lower air temperature. They cool people by moving air across skin, which speeds evaporation. A fan running in an empty room just uses electricity. Circulators can help distribute cool air from an AC unit more evenly, which may let you raise the thermostat while staying comfortable.
Are DC motor fans worth it?
DC motor fans typically use less electricity than AC motor fans, offer more speed settings and often run quieter at low speeds. They cost more to buy. If you run a fan many hours a day, especially overnight, the efficiency and quiet low settings can be worth it.