Summer afternoons get very hot, but nowadays, even monsoon and winter afternoons seem to hit high on the temperature scale. So as many of us start thinking about letting more breeze into our rooms, the first question that arises would be if we put longer blades on a ceiling fan, would that increase the airflow?
Even if it seems like a feasible solution, we have to consider all aspects, including cost.
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Why Change The Blades Of Your Ceiling Fan?
No one wants to suffer through scorching heat for long, so we start looking for options to make it greener and save the extra costs. Ceiling fans are a great way to do it, but they must be carefully constructed. Now, what exactly are carefully constructed ceiling fans?
Well, when you decide about choosing a new fan while replacing the old one, you must consider the motor’s speed and design, blade design, length, and material. All these factors will contribute to how effective it is to move more air through the room.
Everyone wants to feel that nice breezy effect that will soothe your mind, but these fans often do not provide enough airflow or not at all. So during such a situation, you can either replace the blades with their longer versions or buy new fans.
What Are The Benefits Of Putting Longer Blades?
Longer Blades Move More Air –
When you compare smaller blades to longer ones, you will know that longer blades move more air if fitted to a large motor. Longer blades with a small motor won’t be effective cause they will move slower due to the weight of the blade instead of moving more air. Blade span doesn’t matter here. Some fans are designed to run slowly but move large volumes of air. Their motors are effective with design.
Some choose ceiling fans with more than three blades; well, it doesn’t necessarily give you more airflow as more blades might restrict the amount of air movement between the blades.
For Outdoor Use Bigger Is Better
Got a patio or deck outside? where you will choose to spend your time reading and drinking excellent cold drinks on a sunny afternoon?
Well, even if it is outside, many of us choose to have a ceiling fan in the shade to keep the air breezy.
So to avoid sweating and ruining your good afternoon as you planned, just put bigger fans outside. An average fan would satisfy inside your home, but it won’t work for places outside or give you satisfaction. With most fans, you need to be sitting almost directly underneath the blades to benefit from the breeze.
This reason is why large ceiling fans have become so popular.
But Is Putting Longer Blades On The Ceiling Fans A Good Idea?
Risk Of The Motor Burning Out-
You must think it’s just a fan, and it just has to move the air around, right? No, despite what you think of these machines, they are very thoughtfully crafted designs. The fittings and measurements of its various parts, like motor, blades, etc., focus on energy efficiency and airflow.
For instance, the pitch of the fan blades determines the airflow it produces, and the size of the blades will affect the performance of its motor.
Larger blades add more load to its motor; as a result, it affects the motor’s performance and functionality. More stress on the ceiling fan’s motor workload will cause the motor to overheat.
Longer Blades Aren’t Effective-
One of the main reasons people want to put on longer blades is to increase their airflow rate. But that is not a satisfactory solution. The additional weight due to the size of the longer blades will put more stress on its motor if it’s not suitable and will also slow down the fan’s rotation. This means it won’t increase the airflow. It will deliver the same performance as the previous blades or even lower.
Voids fan warranty-
If the fan’s motor is damaged due to putting on longer blades, you won’t benefit from having a warranty, even if it; ‘s for a lifetime. As you voluntarily changed the blades which caused the damage, it comes under intentional damage, and you lose your warranty coverage for your fan.
Even for the homeowner’s insurance, most policies do not cover faulty workmanship. They cover damages from DIY projects only if they are accidental.
They will not fit correctly-
All parts of the ceiling fans are tailor-made to fit into the original design. So when you change the blades, you won’t find the appropriate blades that will work with the motor. Also, there is the issue of color, and you must have chosen the fan color to fit into your home’s overall aesthetic. So finding the matching blades of suitable fitting and your preferred color is very difficult.
You may also have to do some drilling and customizations to install new blades. If not, then the fan will be unbalanced.
Unnecessary Expenses-
Putting on longer blades won’t always be practical. As mentioned above, it’s a lot of hassle to find suitable blades, and even if you find them, there is always an expense to get them fitted. Also, there is an issue with the warranty.
If you consider all these factors, it is better to buy a new fan than go through all the hassle of changing the blade.
What are the factors that determine the ceiling fan airflow?
- Blade Pitch
- Blade Shape and Size
- RPM
- Height from Ceiling
- Motor
So what is the alternative to increase the airflow?
Well, first, do primary checking for your ceiling fan to find out why it is not providing you with more airflow. Keep in mind these fans should always run in a counter-clockwise direction. Most of the time, the dust collected on the upper side of the blades causes them to run slower. Clean these blades properly and adjust them back to how they fit best with the motor.
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Purchase A Larger Fan Instead. The best way to resolve your issue is by purchasing a larger fan. Getting a larger ceiling fan will help you avoid all the hassle we just discussed. If your manufacturer says there is no way to install larger blades, we recommend listening to them.