New Ceiling Fans
The Best New Ceiling Fans for 2011-2012
Checking out the new ceiling fans in the market is important before you finally decide to buy one.
There are plenty of updated models and new features and technologies that you might miss if you don’t do your research. To help you out, here are some of the newest fans for the year 2011-2012 and what new and unique features they have been upgraded with.
New Features and Technologies
1. DC Motor
Two years ago, the DC motor was first used in a fan by Emerson Fans in their breakthrough model, the Midway ECO, a super efficient fan and the first ever to feature a DC motor. Due to this, the fan is up to 300% more efficient than other ceiling fans. Now, the DC motor is becoming more popular.
DC motors work by pulling electricity from a magnetic source already built into the motor, unlike AC motors, which use electricity because they have to create a magnetic field. Thus, DC motors consume around 3 to 5 times less electricity.
The downside is that DC motors are more expensive to operate since it requires more sophisticated controls, which is why such motors were not widely used in the past. This is also the reason why the new and highly energy efficient fans running on DC motors are still priced at a premium even until now.
2. Illumi-Heat Ceramic Heating Technology from Hunter
Consumers are already used to the reverse airflow capabilities of most ceiling fans. This allowed them to use the fan for cooling in the summer and warming in the winter. However, Hunter took this feature one step further by actually adding a separate blower fan to provide real heating power in the winter. This new technology is called the Illumi-Heat Ceramic Heating Technology, which adds a ceramic heating element that creates warm air when needed.
3. Soundolier Wireless Audio Technology
Here’s something entirely novel in the industry: a built-in wireless sound system, right in your fan. This is the latest offer from renowned manufacturer Hunter. The new technology is called the Soundolier Wireless Audio Technology, which transforms your fan into an audio player. This technology is powered by a 2.4 GHz wireless mechanism that can easily be connected to your TV or stereo. It is equipped with four stereo signal channels, which ensures that the wireless transmission reaches up to 300 feet way. This is one of the new ceiling fans with the most ingenious features of this year.
Top 5 New Models for 2011-2012
1. Emerson CF788ORB Carrera Grande Eco Outdoor 60" w/ Ctrl
The Carrera Grande ECO, by its name alone, already sounds quite impressive. And it really is. The fan has a timeless Craftsman design, and consumers are allowed to choose from three different blade spans, namely 54 inch, 60 inch, and 72 inch. This means that the Carrera Grande is designed for large to extra large rooms. Furthermore, the B78 series blades are made of solid wood, which comes in a variety of finishes. This package also includes a wall control with receiver. To top it all off, the Carrera Grande ceiling fan is also safe for use in damp locations. The only thing missing is a light kit; fortunately, it is light kit adaptable, but you would have to buy the kit separately. Accessories, such as a remote control and hand carved or wood veneer blades, are also available.
But that’s not all there is to the Carrera Grande. After all, it does belong to Emerson Fans’ ECO series, which means it uses the brand’s unique EcoMotor, a DC-type motor that provides the fan with record-breaking efficiency. No wonder this has been certified by Energy Star. The Carrera Grande boasts of an airflow capacity of 7184 CFM but only uses 21 watts at maximum speed. This gives it a total airflow efficiency rating of 342 CFM/watt, which is quite a record considering that even the other Energy Star fans are rated at only between 75 and 110 CFM/watt.
2. Emerson CF921CK Avant Eco Chalk Energy Star 54" with Remote
The Avant ECO is not just one of the many new ceiling fans around. It is also a member of the highly celebrated ECO series from Emerson Fans is the Avant Eco. This belongs to Emerson Fans’ traditional collection and it features an understated old world charm but borrows the elegance and simplicity of contemporary styles. Homeowners can choose from hand carved or wood veneer blades, but the hand carved vintage black blades paired with the Golden Espresso finis for the base make up the most popular combination.
Like with the Carrera Grande, consumers can choose from three blade spans, but all feature a 16 degree pitch, which is higher than the average 12 to 14 degrees. The package includes a remote control with receiver and a 4.5 downrod. Other accessories, such as the light kit and wall control, are optional.
As part of the ECO series, the Avant ceiling fan is also powered by the EcoMotor, which has a total airflow capacity of 6900 CFM while using only 20.2 watts. This leads to an efficiency rating of 342 CFM/watt, making it another record-breaking energy efficient product.
3. Casablanca C45G45B 54" Stealth DC Brushed Nickel w/ Downlight
The Casablanca DC Stealth is Casablanca’s response to Emerson Fans’ DC motor fans. But it has one major advantage: it is not as pricey. In fact, the DC Stealth sells for less than the price of the standard Stealth model of the brand.
The DC Stealth is thus one of the growing number of new ceiling fans that feature a DC motor. The DC motor upgrades this model from the original Casablanca Stealth. This is a highly recognized contemporary fan packed with most of Casablanca’s best features; unfortunately, in order to sell the DC Stealth at a much lower price, Casablanca had to strip off plenty of its features, such as the Intelli-Touch control system and the option to convert to a wall control system. The removal of the Intelli-Touch system also removes some famous Stealth features such as the Safe-Exit, Home-Safe, Light-Minder, Fan-Minder, and so on. The fact that the DC Stealth is very efficient, though, due to its DC motor, is a good consolation.
4. Hunter 21894 52-Inch Westover Heater Fan
Hunter’s new Illumi-Heat Ceramic Heating Technology is featured in the Hunter Westover Four Seasons Heater Fan, which is part of Hunter’s 2011 collection. The ceiling fan/heater can direct heat downwards thanks to its aerodynamic design, and users can choose from three speeds each for the downdraft and the updraft. Despite the added heating, the fan does not require any special effort in installation.
Other than this exciting new addition, this new offer in the market has all the must-have Hunter fan features, such as the WhisperWind motor, the Italian Amber Scavo bowl light fixture already included in the package along with the bulbs, and the remote control. The remote control is able to operate the fan, the heater, and the light kit.
The downsides are that the fan can only be installed in two positions instead of three and that the heater adds a 700-watt mechanism to the fan. In terms of airflow efficieny, this fan is quite average with 76 CFM/watt. Its airflow capacity is also mediocre at 5005 CFM.
But if you want a fan that doubles as a heater fan, then this is one of its kind – so far.
5. Hunter 52 Inch Concert Breeze Fan with Wireless Sound System
Hunter’s Soundolier Wireless Audio Technology is installed in Hunter’s new Concert Breeze Wireless Speaker Fan. Since the ceiling-type fan is right overhead, which is the perfect position for a speaker, it becomes an optimum audio source whose sound simply surrounds the room. If you love blasting music in your room or you’d appreciate some nice songs to lull you to sleep at night, this is the perfect fan for you. This new ceiling fan not only cools your room and gives you music, but it also eliminates the need for bulky, unsightly speakers, keeping your room less cluttered.
As a Hunter fan, you get to enjoy the same old features on top of this new feature. These old features include the WhisperWind motor, an Italian Amber Scavo glass light with 3 candelabra bulbs already included, and the Installer’s Choice 3-position mounting, which means even low ceilings or angled ceilings can accommodate the fan.
In terms of airflow capacity, the Concert Breeze can move a bit more air at 5061 CFM. However, it uses 73 watts of electricity, which means its airflow efficiency is only 69 CFM/watt. But for a fan whose main feature is a wireless speaker, this isn’t bad at all.
Reviews and Ratings
Since these new ceiling fans are still relatively new in the market, you may not find that many reviews and ratings for them yet.
Thankfully, all these fans come from three leading manufacturers, so you won’t have any problems in terms of reliability and durability. But as for their new features, you’re going to have to be one of the first samplers, but you do get bragging rights for having the most advanced ceiling fans around.
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