Category Archives: Ceiling Fans

where the food is always good, the beaches are splendid and the mood is calm, easy and inspired.

Tommy Bahama fans will take you away from the everyday pressures of the “week” and create a relaxing weekend environment anytime at your home. The island touch in all Tommy Bahama tropical fans is sure to bring a touch of the islands into your home.

Whether you are looking to create a relaxing home décor, or a romantic tropical vacation atmosphere, Tommy Bahama has a fan that will suit. With a relaxed island focus, the beautiful natural textures and themed decorative elements of Tommy Bahama products are sure to evoke a sense of exotic locale anywhere in your home.

If you truly want to experience the island lifestyle direct from your home, the Tommy Bahama only begins with ceiling fans; there is also a full line of island themed apparel, accessories, and home décor items that are all tropical themed so that you may easily take a piece of the islands home with you.

The Tommy Bahama Brand is Guaranteed Quality

The Tommy Bahama brand is made up of products that are all meticulously crafted with the islands in mind. Products with subtle textures and refined finishes are chosen for each and every Tommy Bahama product from tropical fans to clothing accessories.

Tommy Bahama knows that in business, you rarely get a second chance to make a first impression, so it is vitally important to make a first impression that will last a lifetime. And since image is everything, Tommy Bahama strives to make excellent quality products made only from the finest materials.

Every Tommy Bahama fan is made from a variety of fine materials including:

• Rattan
• Grass Weaves
• Deep Stained woods
• Bamboo
• Assorted Metals

The use of so many different materials with varied textures assures that every Tommy Bahama fan is created with uniqueness and style that is a cut above the rest.

All Tommy Bahama employees are immersed in the corporate culture that the Tommy Bahama brand has to offer. Product engineers as well as all employees are taught the acronym PARADISE which is a way of life at Tommy Bahama stores. Tommy Bahama quality is Paradise which stands for:

• Passionate
• Authentic
• Respectful
• Accountable
• Dream
• Integrity
• Simple
• Excellence

Each and every product that is created for the Tommy Bahama line is created with Paradise in mind. Most importantly, the final value is Excellence!

Tropical Feel and Style in Every Ceiling Fan Model

Why not live the islands everyday? Tommy Bahama fans are developed with tropical style in mind. The ceiling fans evoke memories of relaxed tropical luxury.

Every Tommy Bahama ceiling fan model is created with the tropical feel in mind. From the creation of a breeze that is reminiscent of palm trees swaying in the ocean air, to fan blades made of woven grasses like the many huts along the Caribbean, Island feel and style are a way of life when you add a Tommy Bahama ceiling fan to your home.

Some of the many ways that a Tommy Bahama ceiling fan can bring tropical feel and style into your home:

Add a keen sense of the tropics with a variety of blade styles that are made of island materials such as rattan, woods, and wicker. There are even woven blades that are reminiscent of the many tropical plant varieties on an island

When making the decision to purchase an outdoor fan, it is important to keep several factors in mind—

• Where will the fan be placed? (On a covered porch, near a swimming pool, ect.)

• Will the fan be in direct contact with water?

• Do you live in a Salt Water area?

By answering these questions, you are one step closer to properly choosing an outdoor fan that will meet your needs and will be safe for the area in which it is placed.

What Makes an Outdoor Ceiling Fan Different from and Indoor Fan?

Outdoor ceiling fans differ from indoor fans in that they are constructed to withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures, as well as humidity, dust and dryness. Indoor fans are not constructed to withstand such elements and are meant for use strictly inside the home in locations where there is little to no humidity and dampness. An indoor ceiling fan should never be installed outdoors as it will create a risk of fire or shock as well as a shortened product lifetime.

The biggest difference between an outdoor ceiling fan and in indoor ceiling fan is the type of materials that are used to construct each fan.

• Outdoor fans are constructed with galvanized tubular steel and powder-coated painted finishes which prevent rust and corrosion.

• Further, the motor casings of an outdoor fan are designed to be completely waterproof which is accomplished by the use of sealants, compression fittings and o-rings which are not commonly found in indoor fans.

• Outdoor ceiling fan blades are made from injected plastic (not wood)

outdoor ceiling fans are broken down into two different types based on the type of location that the fan is designed for use in.

• Damp Location Rated – which are conductive to areas with high humidity or condensation and cannot withstand direct water contact
• UL Wet Rated—which are conductive to wet areas and can withstand direct contact with water (wet rated fans may also be used in damp locations, however damp rated fans may not be used in wet locations)

What Type of Ceiling Fan to use by Salt Water Areas and Why?

If your home is within a short distance to the coast and you are installing a ceiling fan outdoors, it is important to consider the risk of salt water corrosion. Salt water can destroy a ceiling fan in no time if the proper fan is not used. Most importantly, a UL wet location fan with plastic blades and minimal exposed hardware should be used in salt water areas.

A wet location fan can withstand direct contact with water. To prevent salt water corrosion, rinse the wet location fan off periodically with fresh water from a hose. This will prolong the life of the fan by removing the salt build up that occurs

Plastic ABS blades should accompany any fan that is to be used near salt water. The plastic blades are water resistant and will not corrode from the salt in the air.

Once installed, the wet location fans should have very little or no hardware visible when looking up at the fan itself. This reduces the amount of tarnish, rust, and corrosion that will be visible from salt damage in the years to come.

Copper hardware is the most durable for wet location fans that are to be used in salt water areas. Over time, the corrosion from the salt water environment will cause a chemical reaction with the copper and it will change color, but if you can withstand the change in color, the hardware itself will continue to hold up to the elements for about 5-10 years.

What Type of Outdoor Fan to use on a Covered Porch

On a covered porch, in most cases,  UL damp rated outdoor ceiling fans may be used. Keep in mind that in all salt water locations, even on a covered porch, it is best to use a wet rated outdoor fan as this allows the ability to rinse the fan off directly!

Damp rated fans are not designed for direct contact with water. So, on a covered porch, where the fan will be out of direct contact from water, a damp rated fan is the perfect touch. These fans are conductive to a great deal of humidity and condensation, so minor weather changes outside of the porch should be of no concern.

Today, there are numerous damp rated outdoor ceiling fans that are beautiful enough to be placed inside or outside of the home. For instance, Monte Carlo fans has numerous outdoor fan models to choose from that would also be a gorgeous addition to a room inside the home. Monte Carlo ceiling fans are available online.

Why are Outdoor Fan Blades Plastic?

Outdoor fan blades are made from a molded plastic. The very durable plastic is called ABS plastic which stands for All-weather Blade System. This material can hold up to all of the elements that nature has to offer—wind, rain, snow, humidity, ect.

Plastic blades are important when a fan is to be used outdoors. Moisture can warp wood blades causing the fan to wobble, but the moisture is of no concern with the durable ABS plastic blades which are completely water resistant and can stand up to weather elements.  These blades now come in a variety of styles just like the wooden and woven blades that are typical for indoor use.

Further, the use of plastic blades on wet location ceiling fans allows the ability to directly rinse the blades off with water. This is especially important in salt water areas, but it is also a nice thing to remember in most other outdoor locations as outdoor fans tend to collect dirt, pollen, and dust from the air much quicker than their indoor counterparts.

Early ceiling fans were seemingly expensive and not ideal for homes.  They were mostly seen in restaurants, stores, and offices in the southern United States where temperatures were the hottest.  It was during the late 1970’s, after the energy crisis, that the ceiling fan became increasingly popular within the United States.  Ceiling fans became more popular at this time because they consumed far less energy than air conditioning.  During this time, companies such as Casablanca Fan Co., which still dominate the ceiling fan business today, began increased production of ceiling fans to be marketed to the United States as well as other countries around the world.

Over time, air conditioning became more available and affordable, and the use of ceiling fans as the primary home cooling source declined.  However, due to the recent rise in energy costs, and an increase in consumer awareness to the need to conserve energy, ceiling fan use is once again on the upward slope.  With the many efficiencies that are produced by just one ceiling fan, it is no wonder that this appliance has become a staple to most households.

The Ceiling Fan Wind-Chill Effect

“Wind chill is the apparent temperature felt on exposed skin due to the combination of air temperature and wind speed.”

We often think of wind chill only in terms of winter weather issues such as, the wind chill factor making the temperature outside “feel” like it is freezing, or factoring in the wind chill to develop a new idea of outdoor temperature.  We don’t typically think about a wind chill in a positive way such as that which is caused by using a ceiling fan during the warm summer months.  However, a ceiling fan creates a wind chill factor that is both comfortable and desirable during the hot and often sticky summer months.

When operated in the NORMAL direction (counter-clockwise), ceiling fans move the air which helps to evaporate moisture from the skin.  The evaporation of moisture from our skin helps create a cooling effect, otherwise known as a wind chill effect.  In essence, this wind chill effect makes us “feel” like the air is much cooler than it actually is by cooling off body temperature.

The use of a ceiling fan creates a wind chill effect that can make you feel up to 8 degrees cooler than the air around you.  This means that in a room with a stifling temperature of 78 degrees which is not very comfortable, the use of a ceiling fan could increase comfort by making the room feel like a cool 70 degrees.  In return, the air conditioning thermostat can be set to a higher temperature and the room will continue to feel cooler thanks to the air circulation caused by the ceiling fan.

Lower Heating and Cooling Costs

By raising the thermostat during the summer months, the average American household could save as much as 40% on their air conditioning bill.  However this is not the only time that a ceiling fan can help save money.  Ceiling fans should also be used to reduce energy costs during the winter months.

Although we certainly do not want to create a wind chill effect during the already cold winter, with proper use a ceiling fan can help create a warming effect as well.  When operated in the REVERSE (clockwise) direction on a low speed, a ceiling fan creates a gentle upward draft which circulates the hot air that often gets trapped at the ceiling.  The fan pushes the warm air down from the ceiling toward the room’s occupants.  Especially in rooms with cathedral type or high ceilings, the use of a ceiling fan can provide even, comfortable heat throughout an otherwise uncomfortable room.

Casablanca Fan suggests that “the re-circulation of warm air as caused by a ceiling fan allows you to lower the room’s thermostat setting.”   The result of operating a ceiling fan in the REVERSE direction and pushing the warm air back down to floor level is a more effective use of the home’s heating system as well as lower energy consumption. This can save the average American household an additional 10% on heating costs during the winter months.

Ceiling Fans Reduce Energy Consumption

Ceiling fans are very energy efficient.  In fact, Ron Rezek, an industrial designer who owns the Modern Fan Company, claims that a ceiling fan uses about the same amount of energy as the average 25-100 watt light bulb.  Furthermore, the American Lighting Association or ALA as well as the Department of Energy have taken steps to assure that all ceiling fan manufacturers begin labeling products with a standard format making it easier for consumers to make smart choices regarding fan efficiency.

Beginning in January 2009, “all ceiling fan cartons, brochures, catalogs and Web sites will be required to provide the products electrical usage at high speed expressed in CFM.”(New Laws…)  The labeling system will contain information for the consumer to make an informed purchase decision based on electricity use described in watts, the amount of air the fan will move described in CFM (cubic feet moved per minute), and airflow efficiency expressed in CFM/Watt (amount of air the product will move per watt of electricity).  (Appliance Labeling Rule)

The use of a ceiling fan reduces the amount of energy consumed in a home by allowing us to increase the thermostat in the summer months, and lower it during winter months.  Andrew Fanara of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program says that since “the energy we use in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. So the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.”  By consuming less energy, fewer CO2 emissions are released into the Earth’s atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.  The reduction of CO2 emissions can greatly prolong the life of the Earth by slowing the effects of global warming.

Casablanca Fan Company suggests that “there are differences one should consider when seeking quality, lasting performance and value,” from a ceiling fan.  The motor is one of the most important components of the fan in terms of efficiency.  An undersized motor that is poorly constructed can lead to higher operating temperatures, humming and clicking, thus drastically reducing efficiency and possibly increasing energy consumption. “The powerful Casablanca ceiling fan motors move more cubic feet of air per minute (CFMs) while using significantly less energy.”

“Casablanca Fan Company is dedicated to creating fans that work smarter, not harder, so that each element is fine-tuned to contribute to overall savings in energy costs.”  There are many ceiling fans available that are also Energy Star qualified providing greater energy efficiency.  With efficiencies like this it seems inefficient for a home not to be equipped with ceiling fans throughout its rooms.

Ceiling Fans produce a Calming Effect

Aside from the comfort that a ceiling can provide, and the energy efficiencies that are afforded through proper ceiling fan use, there is another great quality provided by ceiling fans:  the calming sound of the air circulating.  Many people sleep better with the sound of a fan humming above and the feel of the air circulating around them.  The calming effect produced by a ceiling fan can evoke deep sleep.

Ceiling Fans for All Environments

Today there are ceiling fans that are suitable for most every environment.  Ceiling fans are available in both indoor model and outdoor ceiling fan model types.  They are made to resist weather conditions and climate issues such as salt in the air in beachside locations or moisture in the air outside or in a bathroom.  Outdoor fans come with a Wet or Damp rating and can be used in areas that are covered or uncovered.Fans come in various sizes and styles.  The average ceiling fan blade span ranges from 30 inches up to 60 inches.  It is important to install a fan that has a blade span large enough to move the most air within the room without being so large as to become a hazard.  There should be adequate space around the fan to promote rotation that is free of obstruction.

Casablanca Fan Company offers a variety of fans that range from contemporary ceiling fan models to traditional ceiling fan models.  They offer ornamental styles with a hand carved look, period classics such as the 19th century or Victorian look, as well as casual look and décor specific for the designer home.  Teamed with Energy Star efficiency, elegance, and comfort, Casablanca ceiling fans to fit just about anywhere.