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Can I Run My Swamp Cooler All Day?(Evaporative AC Hacks)

Living in the Southwest my entire life, one of the most common sites in the neighborhood was the big blocky swamp coolers hanging off the side of nearly every house on the block.

Of course this was more like 25 years ago and these days, swamp coolers are a lot less popular, which in a lot of regards is a much better.

But the good ol evaporative swamp cooler has a lot of advantages if you know how to get the best out of one.

Can I run my swamp cooler all day?

One of the best ways to get a swamp cooler to cool the house is to turn it on in the morning when the air is cool and let it run the entire day.

Provided you have the proper hookups in place to be able to run the water all day to keep the pads wet.

The reason I make that distinction is that evaporative coolers have become popular as standalone portable units and some are quite small.

If you have the type that you have to fill with a bucket, then running it all day may be too difficult to keep up with.

But regardless, if you can, starting a swamp cooler in the morning will cool the air nicely and give you a much better head start to keeping the house cool during the afternoon heat.

Hessaire MC18M Portable Evaporative Cooler – Gray, 1300 CFM, Cools 500 Square Feet

Click here

How to make a swamp cooler colder?

One of the easiest ways to make a swamp cooler feel colder is to take a garden hose and spray down the pads real well. Or if it’s an indoor evaporative cooler, saturate the pads using a bucket of water.
This will add an extra bit of kick to the swamp cooler when the sun gets high.

This is a technique I remember real well doing as a kid. It seems like I was constantly being told to go outside and spray down the air conditioner when the afternoon heat hit.

How to use an air cooler with ice?

  1.  Lift out one padded side of the swamp cooler.
  2.  Add ice or bottles of iced water into the water basin.
  3.  Put the padded side back on by inserting it at the top and bringing it in at the bottom

Putting ice in the water tank of a evaporative cooler is a method of getting a cooler temperature out of a swamp cooler.

If you have plenty of ice, then dumping a bag of ice into the water will make the air coming from your cooler much colder for a little while.

And though you can add ice directly to the water, you will probably find that it melts faster than you want to keep at it.

One one way of making the ice last longer is to freeze water bottles (full of water of course) and put those into the water instead of adding the ice directly to the water.

How many bottles do you need? According to the size of your swamp cooler, anywhere from 3 to 6 bottles of Frozen water.

The point is to cool the water off. Not to replace the water with ice. If you completely replace the water with ice, the swamp cooler will not be able to run at all.

Many a lot of the popular brands of portable ventless air coolers come with plastic ice packs that eliminates the need for a DIY method like putting bottles of Frozen water in your swamp cooler

Air cooler not cooling?

If your air cooler is not cooling, There is only a handful of things that you can check to diagnose the problem.

1.  Are the pads getting wet?

If the pump is running, but you don’t feel cool  air coming from the cooler, there’s good chance that you’re you’ve got to stoppage somewhere or a disconnection.

Take the pad walls off of the machine and make sure that all the water hoses are hooked up correctly and that there is water flowing through them well.

2. Is there proper air flow in the room?

In order to get good air flow from a swamp cooler, you need have a window or door open on the opposite side of the house. If there is not a window or door open then the air coming from the machine does not have anything to pull it through the house.

Vice versa, if you have too many doors or windows open then the air coming from the cooler will just end up getting pulled out of the house and too much outdoor air will be allowed inside.

3.  Do evaporative coolers work in high humidity?

If you’re evaporative cooler is not cooling and you’ve determined that you have proper water and air flow, you may just have a problem with the humidity being too high to tell that the air cooler is making much of a difference.

Unfortunately swamp coolers get their name because of the swampy feeling that you get when you add humidity on top of humidity.

When the humidity is already high, trying to cool off a room by adding more humidity only compounds the problem and can make you feel even hotter.

Can you use an evaporative cooler with a dehumidifier?

Using a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in the air with an evaporative cooler seems like it would be a good idea, right?

Doesn’t it make sense that if you could reduce the humidity with a dehumidifier, then all you would be left with is cool air?

But there is a couple of problems with that theory that don’t exactly pan out.

1. Dehumidifiers exhaust heat.

Dehumidifiers expel heat from the rear similar to what you have probably experienced by walking behind a window air conditioner.
Placing of the humidifier in the room to reduce humidity but not only reduce the amount of cool humidity that you are getting from the air cooler, it would also add the additional heat that it is exhausting in the process.

2. Dehumidifiers are expensive.

If you were going to purchase a dehumidifier to work with an evaporative cooler, you might as well purchase a window air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. Both the window ac and a portable air conditioner will dehumidify as they cool and most of the time they come with dry mode which will operate as a dehumidifier separately.

What Should You Look For in a Small Window AC? (3 Favorites)

Small window air conditioners  generally cover right around 150 square feet for 5000 BTUs. 250 square feet for 6,000 BTUs.

BTUs which stands for British Thermal Units can be a confusing metric to base your AC needs off of.

Most people are unfamiliar with what BTUs actually are.

That’s okay,  so am I.

An easier way to figure out what size AC you actually need is to base it off the square footage. Which is generally labeled on the box near the same area where the BTUs are listed.

The formula for square footage is length x width.
In simpler terms, if you have a room that is 10 ft going one way and 12 ft going the other way, you multiply 10×12 to find that you have 120 square feet of space.

Using the same formula, you can find out how many BTUs you need by simply multiplying the square footage by 25.

Sq ft x 25 = BTUs.

But to be fair that is a rough estimate and doesn’t take into account variables like high ceilings, hot climates, and rooms that are directly in the Sun.

If any of those variables applies to you, then you should probably consider stepping it up to the next size.

What should you look for in a window AC?

 

1.  Sq. feet covered
Getting the right AC to match your square footage is important. Air conditioning is not like a race car engine that works better when it has more power. Two large of an air conditioner can actually make the room extra humid. Not to mention the extra energy required to run a larger air conditioner.

2.  Physical Size
It’s important to match the physical size of a window AC to the actual window it’s going in. Though with a small window air conditioner, it will not usually be the case, it is possible to get a AC unit that is just too large for your window.

3.  Watts/ energy usage
The amount of watts an AC uses will impact the amount of money you spend to run the unit every month. It’s a good idea to check the wattage to find a unit that is relatively low.

Beyond this small list, it is really just bells and whistles.

Some of the extras you can expect to find in a Window AC are:

 

1. Dehumidifier

Humidity on its own can make a room feel hot without the actual temperature being that high. A dehumidifier or dry mode as it is usually called, will reduce the humidity in the room without using the refrigerator function to cool.

2. Auto shut off

Auto shut off on a window AC is an excellent feature because it will turn the AC off once the desired temperature is reached.

3. Remote control

A remote control with your window AC is one of the best features you can look for when shopping for an AC. Can you imagine any other item that has made life easier than a remote control?

This list of small window air conditioners is comprised of units that use 5,000 and 6,000 BTUs or cover 150 to 250 sq. ft.

Della 6000 BTU

  • 15.26 x 13.45 x 19.04″
  • 6000 BTUs
  • 690 w
  • 250 square feet

The Della small window AC is a great air conditioner that covers 250 square feet handily. It comes featured with full on dehumidifier, auto shut off, 3 speeds, and the obligatory remote control.

Cons

Heavy- 53 lbs
Available in White only
690 w- Expect to use more energy

View on Amazon

LG Energy Star Rated 6000 BTU

  • 19.56″ x19.38″ x12.38″
  • 6000 BTUs
  • 480 w
  • Covers 260 square feet

The LG 6000 BTU window air conditioner comes with everything you need. It is a very quiet AC that comes equipped with dry mode for dehumidification and a remote control.

Built-in timer allows you to set the duration that you want the air conditioner to run.

Indicators let you choose between cool, energy, fan only, and dry mode.

It also has a indicator light to let you know when it’s time to clean the filter.

Low wattage means a lower energy bill with this unit also.

Cons – oversized.

Check it Out Here

MIDEA MAW05M1BWT

Need something a little smaller? Back to the basics?

MIDEA offers a 5000 BTU window air conditioner with mechanical controls. 7 temperature settings and two fan settings.

This is a entry level low priced AC set to be released in April 2021.

  • 15.98 by 13.19×12.05 in
  • Covers 150 square feet
  • 450 w
  • 5,000 British thermal units (BTUs)
  • Washable filter
  • Easy installation- minimal modification needed

Cons

No bells and whistles.

View on Amazon

TOSOT 10000 BTU

Need something a little bigger?

TOSOT offers a 10,000 BTU window air conditioner that covers 450 square feet

  • 21.4×22.8×15.8 in
  • 115 w
  • Covers 450 square feet
  • 10,000 BTU

The TOSOT 10000 BTU has a sleek modern look with a digital readout. It also does not have the standard grill on the front side of the AC that is typical for nearly all other window air conditioners.

Smart remote control uses sensor technology to monitor the temperature of the air and adjust the air conditioner strength.

Sleep mode- adjust the temperature throughout the night to give you the best comfort. throughout the night

Modes include fan, sleep, timer, swing, and I feel

Very low wattage for a window AC. Energy saver.

Energy STAR certified

Review stating that it is the best AC they’ve ever had.

See it Here

BTU – Air Conditioning Lingo Confusion

Have you ever shopped for a window air conditioner or a portable ac and realized that there is certain language right on the outside of the box that supposedly tells you everything you need to know about the AC?

But the problem is no one seems to know what that language means?

The specific term I’m talking about is BTU.

What are Air Conditioning BTU’s?

BTU stands for British thermal unit. It is the amount of energy needed to heat or cool 1 lb. of water 1° f at sea level.

That tells me everything I need to know. Not.

The funny thing is, never in my life have I ever known what a BTU is. And I’ve never met anyone that did either.

Seems like an odd way to label an air conditioner when not too many people really seem to know what it is.

But if you’re shopping for a new AC, it’s a term you better become familiar with pretty quickly.

Room SizeSquare FootageHow Many BTUs?How Many Watts Used Per Hr
10 x 151505000 BTU1465 w
12 x 121445000 BTU1465 w
14 x 142006000 BTU1758 w
12 x151806000 BTU1758 w
20 x 204008000 BTU2344 w
18 x 2545010000 BTU2930 w
20 x 2550010000 BTU2930 w
25 x 3075015000 BTU4396 w
30 x 3090018000 BTU5275 w
30 x 35100025000 BTU Range7326 w
35 x 40140035000 BTU Range10250 w
38 x 40150037500BTU Range10990 w
40 x 45180045000 BTU Range13188 w
45 x 50225055000 BTU Range16118 w
50 x 50250062500 BTU Range18316 w

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

Hhow many BTUs do I need_

How many BTUs do I need? What size air conditioner do I need?

The quickest way to give you a ballpark figure of how many BTUs you need is to use a simple formula.

Square footage (length times width)  x 25

This is a rough figure based on a square room with average 8 ft ceilings and one or two windows that are not directly in the Sun.

If the area you are looking to cool off has higher ceilings, increase the amount by 10%.

Likewise if the room is the direct path of the sun, increase the amount 10% again.

Another factor to consider is the kitchen.

Are you trying to cool off the kitchen or is the kitchen in the vicinity that is adding heat into the area you’re trying to cool off?

If that’s the case then increase the amount of BTUs by 4,000 to combat the extra heat given off by the stove and other cooking equipment.

If you’re dealing with the Arizona Sun or any other high heat climate, tackle on another 10 to 12% of BTUs.

Don’t overdo it.

Bigger is not better when it comes to air conditioners

You might think that if your room requires 5000 BTU then getting an AC that has 8,000 BTU could only add more power and do a way better job.

Not so.

That might be  hard fact to accept for those of us who want bigger and better,

But putting too big of an air conditioner into too small of a square footage will cause humidity to build up in your room.

Humidity is not the result you were going for, presumably.

Humidity makes the room feel hotter than the temperature actually is.

Too large of an AC in too small of a space will not allow for the condensation in the unit to properly displace, which will cause it to evaporate and come back into the room as humidity.

A large AC and a small room will also cycle on and off much faster and use much more energy.

The same ratio can happen with an AC that is too small and a large room except for the AC will continually run without turning off and use much more energy.

how many BTU's per watt

What are BTUs in Watts?

How many watts an air conditioner is going to use is also a big variable when it comes to shopping for an AC.

1 BTU is worth .293071 watts per hour

Energy cost from running the AC is one of the biggest energy hogs you will have in your house hands down.

Energy saving is a must during the summer. Running the AC day and night will put your electric bill through the roof.
So finding some ways to keep cool rather than the AC is always a smart thing to do.

A few tips to keep cool in summer

1.  Bump your thermostat up

Most of us want the kind of cool air you get when you walk into a hotel lobby or a department store in our house.
But the reality is the comfort comes with a hefty price tag.
Simply learning to keep the thermostat a little higher and being comfortable in a little warmer space will have dramatic results on your energy bill. By just going from 72° to 75 on your thermostat, you could see a surprising change in the amount of your bill.

2.  Ceiling fans

Ceiling fans, well technically do nothing to change the actual temperature, they do pull heat away from you so that you actually feel cooler in hot weather. Ceiling fans are much less expensive to run than the air conditioner also.

3.  Shade

Shade can come in the form of plants, shutters, curtains, etc.

Shading your windows can have a great effect on the amount of heat that comes into your room.

Summing it up

Choosing an AC with the proper BTUs for the size room that you want to cool is a must.

But how many people do you know that really know what a BTU is or what they’re supposed to do with that term?

BTU stands for British thermal unit.
If you’re in the HVAC industry or deal with heating and air very much then it is a term or an acronym that you are probably very familiar with and no how to use properly,

But for the rest of us, there is an easier way to determine how many BTUs you are going to need when purchasing an AC.

An easy formula is to take the square footage of a room and multiply by 25.
W x L x 25
And since we all know that rooms come in all different kinds of sizes, we simply add in 10% if the ceilings are higher or if it’s a particularly warm room that sits in the Sun.

It’s also important to know that when it comes to purchasing an AC, more BTUs does not equate to a cooler room.

Two large of an AC will cycle on and off too quickly and will not displace the condensation quickly enough which will cause your room to be extra humid.

An AC should help reduce humidity, definitely not add to it.

You should also be aware that the more BTUs and air conditioner has, the more watts it’s going to consume, and the higher the energy bill is going to be to run the unit.

Best Mid Size HEPA air purifier?

Best midsize HEPA air purifier?

If you’ve done any looking around for an air purifier, even just a little bit, you’ve probably figured out that almost every air purifier you can purchase uses the same type of technology to clean the air.

  • Pre-filter- HEPA filter- carbon filter
  • A pre-filter for larger debris.
  • A carbon filter for odors and gases.
  • And a true HEPA filter for all the other contaminants in the air.

Sure there are some variables and little things that the different companies do to make their air cleaners different, but in the end, they’re basically the same.

So how do you know what to look for when everything is basically the same thing?

When it comes to HEPA air purifiers,
The main things you want to look for are:

  1. Replacement filter cost and the amount of filters you’ll need to replace per year
  2. How many square footage can you get out of one air purifier
  3. That the air purifier uses actual HEPA filters and not the HEPA like filters.

Beyond this small list, everything else is truly bells and whistles.

Most air purifier brands these days are coming out with smart sensors to measure air quality and auto adjust the air purifier.

This is a great feature. But absolutely not necessary other than for convenience sake.

Other purifiers have 360° filters. Again, a great future but just a variance on the same thing.

So here we have tried to compile a list of excellent med room size HEPA air purifiers that we absolutely believe would be a benefit to you without costing you too much upfront or on the back end with filters.

Honeywell HPA 300

  • Sq ft covered 465
  • Technology- true HEPA and carbon filters
  • Filter cost-Hepa $18.62 replace once a year
  • Carbon filter three pack $21.68 replace once every 3 months.

Honeywell is a trustworthy brand and this air purifier comes with a 5- year warranty.

The price of replacement filters is quite reasonable considering the true HEPA only requires changing once a year.

Effectiveness- filters the air of a 450 ft room 5 times every hour. Comes with a turbo setting to filter the room faster.

Pros-

  • Endorsed by doctors.
  • Trusted brand.
  • 5 year warranty.
  •  HEPA Filter only needs replaced once a year.

Con’s

  • The Carbon filter serves as the pre-filter.
  •  The style of the machine is pretty dull. The look of it makes easy to mistake it for your paper shredder.

Thoughts-

Honeywell HPA is your basic true HEPA air purifier with a carbon filter.

The odd thing about this air purifier is that the carbon filter is used as the pre filter.

Activated carbon is very porous and binds gases to the inside of its pore walls. Having the activated carbon filter serve as a pre-filter will quickly block the area of the carbon and make it inefficient.

You can easily see that keeping the carbon filter vacuumed off would lengthen the lifespan of the filter considerably in this case.

Click here to Check It Out the Honeywell HPA 300 Amazon

Bissell air400 professional


The Bissell air 400 is comparable to Honeywell’s HPA 300. It is a very nice air purifier.

  • Sq Ft. It covers 400 square feet
  • Replacement filter cost –Pre filter and HEPA filter combo $24.99 Suggested replacement every 6 months.
  • Carbon filter $25.99- Also replaced every 6 months.

The primary difference between the Bissell air 400 and the Honeywell HPA 300 is the addition of a air quality sensor that monitors the air and adjust the speed of the fan to accommodate the amount of air purification you need.

Pros

  • Honeycomb design on the carbon filter helps adsorb odors and gases better.
  •  Smart sensor with automatic adjustment allows for the unit to be set and left.
  • Very well reviewed on Amazon.

Cons

  • Filters are more expensive and the HEPA filter requires twice as many replacements per year.
  • The Initial price of the air purifier is also more expensive.
  • Style- This air purifier also could be mistaken for your paper shredder.

A nice air purifier that uses the standard three stage filter system. Pre filter- carbon filter-HEPA filter.

The main difference between this HEPA midsize air purifier and it’s competitors is that it has a smart sensor that adjust the fan speed to match the air quality.

Click here to View the Bissel air400 on Amazon

Winix 5500-2

This is my favorite midsize HEPA air purifier.
Style wise, maybe your paper shredder just needs a boyfriend.
 But performance wise it has something you’re not going to find with most med to large size room air purifiers.

That something is Plasma Wave.
Plasma Wave is a type of ionizer that emits both positive and negative ions.

It is effective at not only reducing or trapping germs and viruses, it actually destroys the membrane and leaves them inactive.

Yeah but don’t ionizers create ozone?

Winix plasma wave does not create a harmful amount of ozone. It is well within the federal limit. 

Plus Plasma Wave is only one function on the Winix 5500-2 and it can be turned off and used only when you need it. 

Winix plasma wave also employees the standard true HEPA and carbon combo.

The carbon filter uses pellets. A technique that is becoming very popular in the air purification industry.

Pros

  • Air Quality indicator that shows you through a series of lights how bad or how good your air quality actually is.
  • Dual smart sensors that monitor your air quality and adjust the speed of the fans to the amount of air purification needed.

Cons

  • Though the air purifier itself is not the most expensive, filter prices for this air purifier are a little higher.
  • Filter prices run $59.63 for the carbon filter and $39 for the HEPA. Replace HEPA every 6 months. Carbon every three.
  • Style wise. Black and boxy. Not too much chance of it adding to the decor of your room.
Check Out the Winix 5500-2 Here

Levoit Core 300

Levoit is one of the most popular hepa purifier brands available. And they didn’t get there by not providing excellence.

The Levoit Core 300 is a smaller room air purifier that only covers about 250 ft.

The reason we have decided to include the Levoit Core 300 here is that it comes with a price that makes it possible to buy two outstanding air purifiers the cover 500 square feet combined for the price of another air purifier that only covers 400.

Price is only the first reason.

Secondly.

When it comes to cleaning the air in your house, it is much more effective to play small air purifiers around the house rather than try to get all the air in the house or large room through one big air purifier.

This little air purifier gives you the chance to do just that.

There is a couple of downsides to employing too small air purifiers in a large room compared to one:

The price of filters is not that much cheaper for one air purifier and it’s going to take twice as many because you have twice as many air purifiers now. $30 for the original. $36 for what they call their pet version. They recommend changing it every 6 months.

Warning: The sound the air purifier makes is going to be louder because now there is two air purifiers making the same sound.

But if air quality is the central reason you are purchasing an air purifier, the Levoit core 300 is a excellent choice.

It uses the HEPA 13 filter combined with the carbon filter in a 360° design that pulls and cleans air from all sides.

Pros

  • Super nice small air purifier that will fit into the decor of any living room.
  • Uses the HEPA 13 360° filter that can filter particulates even smaller than the true HEPA.
  • The initial cost is very low.

Cons

  • Filters are pricey and require changing every 6 months. And of course, you’ll use twice as many if you run two small air purifiers in the place of one large air cleaner.
  • Also the filter is a combination filter that combines the HEPA, Carbon filter and pre-filter in one.-Sounds awesome, but it also means that you cannot just buy the Hepa without getting the carbon.
  • And there’s no doing any type of DIY cleaning on the HEPA filter because you would end up tearing up the carbon filter.
View the Levoit Core 300 Here

Do Air Purifiers Dry Out The Air? – Update 2021

Keeping the climate inside the home at an even kill is sometimes a little hard to do.
Too much moisture has its set of problems, too little moisture has its own.
And finding the right device to helping either situation can be confusing.

For instance,

Do air purifiers dry out the air?

Air purifiers do not dry out air. Air purifiers are responsible for removing pollutants from the air like allergens, spores, dander, and dust. But they do not have any mechanism to either add or take moisture from the air. They will clean your air but they can do nothing to reduce the humidity.

Dehumidifiers are the device needed to dry the air and remove excess humidity. Dehumidifiers will bring the level of humidity in a room down to a comfortable level and reduce indoor air quality issues like dust mites and mold spores.

Refrigerated air conditioners also help dry the air out and many of them come with a setting called “dry mode”. Using the dry mode setting will essentially turn your air conditioner into a dehumidifier while it is in that mode.

Typically if the air in the room is extra dry it can be related to the air conditioning or heating.

Air conditioners use the humidity in the room to lower the temperature. But sometimes depending on the climate, can pull too much humidity out of the room and cause the air to be dry.

Heaters on the other hand can just plain dry out the air like a hair dryer.

Does an air purifier cause dry throat?

No an air purifier does not cause dry throat. The function of an air purifier is to clean the air, not to add or take away moisture from the air. Dry throat usually happens when the air is to arid.

Air conditioning in your home is more likely the culprit for dry air. Though the main point of an air conditioner is to cool off the room, it will also dry out the air in a room when there is not enough humidity in the air.

In the winter though, running the heater all the time can also dry out the air causing dry throat, dry cough, clogged nasal passages, and many more.

Do air purifiers dry out sinusesDo air purifiers dry out sinuses?

Air purifiers do not dry out the sinuses. Air purifiers do not humidify or dehumidify the air in any way. 

Air purifiers simply move air through a series of filters to rid the air of airborne molecules such as pollen.

Sitting too close to a air purifier however may make you feel “sinusy” because that’s the point that all the dust and germs are being pulled to from around the room.

In other words the air directly around the air purifier is the most polluted air in the room.

Can air purifiers cause breathing problems or make allergies worse?

Sitting or sleeping next to an air purifier can in fact make your allergies worse and cause breathing problems. The reason is because when you are sitting or sleeping near the air purifier, you are in the line of fire of all the contaminants that are being pulled towards the air purifier.

Air purifier should be placed on the opposite side of a room from where you are sitting. The idea of the air purifier is to filter the contaminants in the air away from you so that you are not breathing in the pollutants.

When you are sitting or sleeping near a air purifier, the pollutants in the air are being drawn by the air purifier to your side of the room. That means that you are more likely to be breathing polluted air in the vicinity of the air purifier

Air purifiers however do not do anything to help dry out the air or dry out your sinus cavities.

Different seasons of the year require different approaches to humidity.

The humidity in the summer, especially in the hottest months of July and August can be overbearing and require different methods of lowering the humidity in order to be comfortable and reduce the strain that high humidity has on air conditioning equipment.

When the humidity is too high, a dehumidifier is a machine that can take moisture out of the air.

As opposed to the winter months when humidity can actually dip under the point of comfortability.

Especially low humidity can cause your home to be extra dry especially when the heater is running non stop to combat the freezing temperatures outside.

During these times of the year, a humidifier will add moisture back into the air.

Do air purifiers dry out sinusesDo air purifiers help with moisture?

No. Air purifiers do not do anything to add or reduce the humidity in a room.

Do air purifiers dehumidify?

No. Air purifiers can help reduce airborne allergens housing inside of the humidity but they cannot reduce the amount of humidity in the air.

A dehumidifier is a device that is specifically used to lower the humidity in a house.

A humidifier will add humidity back into the air.

Do air purifiers make the room cold?

No. Air purifiers do nothing to cool or heat a room. Air conditioners and heaters are devices that change the temperature in the room.

But on the subject of humidity, a dehumidifier can help cool a room that has too much moisture.

Humidity not only feels hot in the summer, it also causes the air conditioner to feel like it is not running.

A dehumidifier will lower the humidity and take the strain off the air conditioner and return your indoor climate to a level of comfortability.

Do air purifiers create moisture

Do air purifiers create moisture?

No. Air purifiers do not create moisture. They work to clean the air regardless of the humidity or lack of humidity in the air.

Low and high humidity can be corrected by using either a humidifier or a dehumidifier.

An air purifier is a air cleaning device and will do nothing to add or take away moisture from your air.

Can you use a dehumidifier and an air purifier and the same room?

Yes. You can absolutely use a dehumidifier and an air purifier in the same room.

They do not work against each other in any way

There is a caveat.

Though an air purifier cannot do anything to dehumidify a room,

A dehumidifier on the other hand can help cleanse the air of airborne allergens and act like a air purifier.

The reason is, high humidity not only is uncomfortable, it also facilitates the growth of mold spores and dust mites.

By using a dehumidifier to bring down the level of humidity inside the home, you are also inadvertently lowering the capacity for mold and dust mites to thrive. Inadvertently creating cleaner air in the process.

So just purchase the dehumidifier instead of the air purifier?

Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way.

There’s only a few of months of the year when a dehumidifier is needed.

A dehumidifier in the winter can actually cause the opposite effect, and dry the air too much.  Which leads to a bunch of coughing and swollen nasal passages.

An air purifier,  on the other hand, will work anytime of the year to reduce airborne allergens including mold spores and dust mites.

Can you use a air purifier and a humidifier at the same time

Can you use a air purifier and a humidifier at the same time?

Yes. Air purifiers clean the air and humidifiers add moisture to the air so there is no conflict of interest. Both will work well independently of each other.

There are times when humidifiers and air purifiers work well together to create a climate that is conducive to wellness.

For instance, adding a humidifier to a dry room will help reduce swollen nasal passages and an air purifier will help reduce airborne allergens that are entering in to the nasal passages.

So both working together help create a much more comfortable area to catch your breath and sleep easier.

Do air purifiers need water?

No. Most all air purifiers do not need water to work.

But there is a type of air purifier called an air washer that uses water as a filter.
These air purifiers are considered air purification- humidifier combos.

As an expensive humidifier, these units cannot be beat.

But as an air purifier, they are not as effective as a HEPA filter cleaner and also are not suitable for the entire year since there are times of the year when adding humidity through the air is not wanted or needed.

Many people find them desirable because they do not require any sort of filter replacement. But there is the usual filling the water tank and keeping the unit clean of mold that is usually associated with humidifiers.

Summary

Air purifiers do not do anything to add humidity or take away humidity from the air.

They are devices that reduce airborne allergens regardless of the moisture in the air.

Dehumidifiers reduce the moisture in the air.

Humidifiers increase the moisture in the air.

The effects of dry air in the home can cause dry throat, dry sinuses, coughing, and swollen nasal passages.

But dry air is usually caused by either the air conditioner or the heater running overtime it has nothing to do what is an air purifier.

An Air purifier on the other hand can help reduce allergens in the air that would also help reduce the symptoms created by dry air.

 

Does Air Innovations Offer the Best Humidifier?

Does Air Innovations Offer the Best Humidifier?

Could be. At least among the best.

Skip the Article and check it out on Amazon- Click Here

The one stand out feature of air innovations humidifiers that really sets it apart from the rest of the pack is that they build their humidifiers from anti microbial plastic.

Mold and germs growing inside of a humidifier is the Achilles heel of the humidifier industry.

It’s the one issue with humidifiers that makes them a risk to have in the home.

But with new techniques like building a humidifier out of mold resistant plastic,
Humidifiers are starting to be built on a whole other level.

The Air Innovations MH-908 is exactly what I’m talking about.

Some of the Highlights that make this humidifier so amazing are:

  • 5 mist settings- including low, medium, high, Supreme, and Turbo
  • 120 hours without having to refill water
  • Covers up to 700 square feet
  • Sleek original design
  • Top fill
  • Directional nozzle
  • Adjustable humidistat With Auto Start and Shut Off
  • Ceramic filter that never needs replacing
  • Whisper quiet
  • Aromatherapy tray.
  • Antimicrobial plastic that prevents bacteria from growing.

This humidifier also feature something called a dual atomizer they can deliver 200% more humidity for the extra dry rooms in your house. Essentially it’s a long extension that helps the Mist centralize into the room quicker and easier.

Who knew that humidifiers could have so many options?

One of the things that really stands out to me about the air innovations MH 908 is the choice of mist levels you can choose from. Most of the humidifiers I’ve been around are high and low, get what you get, appliances.

Air innovations has five different Mist settings including supreme and turbo.

What is the turbo setting on the air innovation humidifier?

It’s an extra powerful misting setting that works with the extension. It’s saturates your air with moisture for 40 minutes then turns off and the humidifier automatically switches to the Supreme mode.

If you find that you still need turbo mode after 40 minutes, you’ll have to wait for 20 minutes to turn it back on.

Turbo… Its worth mentioning again.

This humidifier also is completely Auto set and forget for 5 days at a time. Built-in humidistat will monitor the humidity and turn the humidifier up or down as needed.
The tank holds enough water to last for 5 days without having to refill the basin.

The physical design of air innovations is also one of the most instantly recognizable traits.

This company goes out of its way to design a unique appliance that will add to the decor of a room.

Their unique shape look more like part of the design of the room instead of the standard boxy and oval humidifiers you usually see.

No replacement filters. Replacement filters are an expected expense that comes with purchase of a new humidifier.

This humidifier however, does not require any replacement filters ever. It has a ceramic filter that is easily hand washed.

Another issue that comes up frequently with devices like humidifiers is the noise they make.

Personally I always thought that the white noise that a humidifier makes is comforting when I don’t feel good and it is an added feature that goes along with misting the air.

But turns out, that is not a characteristic that most people like to have in a humidifier.

Not to worry… This air innovations humidifier is extremely quiet.

 

 

Downsides. Yes they’re are a few.


1.There is no remote control

These days every thing comes with the remote. It kind of doesn’t make too much sense that a humidifier with so many setting capacities would not come with a remote control to be able to dial between the settings without getting up to push a button.

2. Doesn’t have the capacity to work with Alexa.

Another feature you find in just about every arena these days is the smartphone capacity of being able to monitor your humidifier or other device with your phone.

Fortunately you can turn any of your appliances into a smart appliance by plugging it into a smart plug.

3.The aromatherapy function requires specific air innovations aroma pads.

Aromatherapy and essential oils are always “a do or do not do” question when it comes to humidifiers.

Hint: The simple answer is that oil and water do not mix so putting anything oily into the water of a humidifier is only asking for it to be clogged up eventually.

So most humidifiers that double as diffusers have a aromatherapy tray that requires their specific brand of scented pads to be used.

That’s the case with the Air Innovations also.  Expect to pay about $15.00 for a box of refills. And that’s per scent. Check here for the price on Amazon.

Why Does my Humidifier Smell Like Fish? (9 Easy Solutions)

Why Does my Humidifier Smell Like Fish?


A fishy odor coming from a humidifier is an indication that there is mold and mildew somewhere inside the humidifier. Stagnant water is typically present when a humidifier is smells like fish or urine.

If you have a humidifier that has a unpleasant smell emanating from it, you can be sure a deep cleaning is needed. The humidifier should unplugged and carefully taken apart and washed thoroughly.

You should consider soaking each part in hot water. A dash of bleach added to the water will help kill any lingering bacteria. If you have a humidifier that is dishwasher safe, then by all means, take that route.

Other complaints about odors coming from a humidifier usually are related to the smell of plastic burning or just the smell of burning.

The smell of plastic burning from the humidifier can be the simple smell off-gassing from the plastic heating up for the first few times if the humidifier is new.  A smell that should very quickly wear off after a few uses.

On the other hand, is humidifier is not new, then there is a problem with overheating.

In that case, a inspection should be done around the humidifier to see if you find any type of visible burn marks or plastic warping. The power cord should also be inspected to make sure that it is not burning at the outlet.

If there is a problem with the power going to a specific outlet, you can easily plug the humidifier into a different outlet that is on a different circuit and see if you get the same type of burning smell. If you do, then your humidifier is to blame. If you don’t, then your own electrical system is to blame.

Portable humidifiers typically only use about 30 to 50 w. Very little energy, and not enough to trip a breaker. Burning is not natural.

Humidifier Hacks for Smelly Humidifiers

People have tried all types of solutions and additives to put in humidifiers to keep them from smelling and help add a fragrance to the room through the use of a humidifier.

Some make a lot of sense and work great, others not so much.

Caution: Humidifiers have a lot of working parts that need to have a clear pathway for water to flow. Anything you put into a humidifier that can clog up a nozzle for instance is a No-No.

Humidifiers that can be used for aromatherapy and essential oils have a separate compartment to put those items.
The reason is that they are oily and oil does not mix with water.

The result of adding essential oils directly into the water of a humidifier is the likelihood of clogging up the waterways needed inside of the humidifier for it to work properly.

Can you put Vicks in the humidifier?

Vicks is a perfect example of a product that should not be added to the water of a humidifier. The gummy texture of Vicks will clog up a humidifier very quickly.

But on the other hand, if you use a Vicks humidifier that has a separate compartment to put the Vicks salve, then the combination is an excellent means of moistening the air and adding the medicated aroma of Vicks that can help you breathe better and relieve congestion.

“The point is no oily or gummy anything should be added into the water of a humidifier.”

But there are things you can put into the water of a humidifier to help keep the humidifier fresh and clean and also add an extra ambience to a rooms existing atmosphere.

Can I put perfume in my humidifier?

Adding perfume or cologne to the water in a humidifier is a excellent and convenient way to add a fresh scent to the air while you’re humidifying it.

Do not use any type of perfumes that have a oily texture to them though. Most perfumes in colognes are alcohol-based and do not have anything in them that will clog a humidifier.

The caveat of putting perfume in the water of your humidifier is to start off slow and only add a few sprays or squirts and then see what kind of difference it makes. If you need more you can always add a little more. Not as easy to take some out. You’ll end up having to dilute the water by dumping some out which will be a waste of perfume and water.

Can I put bleach in my humidifier?

Adding a small amount of bleach to the water of a humidifier is a great way to reduce the amount of time it takes for mold and bacteria to take root inside of the water basin.
Remember A little dab will do you when it comes to bleach. The ideal is to add only enough bleach to aid in keeping the humidifier cleaner.
Too much can give you a headache and many people are very sensitive to the smell of bleach.

So be cautious not to overdo it and start off very light and only add a little more in steps as needed.

Many humidifiers brands suggest adding a drop of bleach into the water basin of their humidifiers. So it is a common practice.

Can I put lemon in my humidifier?

Lemon is a great additive to put in the water basin of humidifier. Not only does lemon have very many natural cleaning agents in it that will help reduce and keep the amount of mold and bacteria that can take root in a humidifier down, it also will add a fresh lemony citrus scent to your room when the humidifier is running.

Lemon scent is one of the most air freshening and odor killing and reducing scents there is. Many household cleaners come in lemon scent for just that reason.

It only makes sense that adding lemon scent to a humidifier makes good sense.

Can you put vinegar in a humidifier?

Vinegar is a all natural mold inhibitor and mold and bacteria cleanser that makes a great additive to put in your humidifier water.

Vinegar also has its own medicinal properties that can aid in the loosening of chest congestion when you breathe it.

And a lot of people do not realize that in a Coke vs Pepsi type of challenge between bleach and vinegar, the vinegar was better at cleaning mold then bleach. And has a much better success rate at cleaning mold that is below the surface.

How much vinegar do you add to the humidifier water? The answer is two you can smell it. Nobody likes the overpowering smell of vinegar, so starting off small and adding a little till you get just the right amount is the best way to add vinegar to your humidifier.

Can I add baking soda to my humidifier?

Baking soda is a great odor absorbing substance that can be added to the water basin of a humidifier to reduce the musty smells that can come from a humidifier.

Baking soda also has a cleaning element to it that will help break down and rid your humidifier of mold and bacteria.

When it comes to adding baking soda to your humidifier, you should check your owner’s manual because baking soda has an abrasive texture to it and can cause erosion in certain cases.

Can I put vanilla extract in my humidifier?

Vanilla extract should not be put directly into the water of a humidifier because of its oily texture. Oil and water do not mix. The result will be oil clogging up the necessary waterways that your humidifier requires for working appropriately.

Can I put Downy in my humidifier?

Putting Downy in a humidifier will not provide any extra benefit to the humidifier because it is a fabric softener. It will also not add any benefit to the air quality since air lacks the capacity be softened.

But many air fresheners come in Downy smell and any problem that could arise from adding fabric softener to the water in your humidifier is very minimal because fabric softener dissolves in water very well.

Can you put hydrogen peroxide in a humidifier?

Hydrogen peroxide is a inexpensive alternative to adding commercial mold inhibitors to your humidifier water.

On top of being a mold inhibitor and cleaning agent, hydrogen peroxide also has
an enzyme type property that will help eliminate the smell of urine often associated with humidifier water.

One of the Great DIY humidifier hacks is adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to your humidifier water every time you fill it up.

Summary

Humidifiers are meant to add moisture to the air as a means of relieving the symptoms that often arrive with dry and arid conditions. But when they add more to your air, as in a fishy, moldy, and even a urine smell, you’ve got a problem with mold and bacteria growing in and around your machine.

But there are solutions to keeping any humidifier smells at bay and getting the right results that were intended with the humidifier in the first place.

The main thing to remember when adding anything to your humidifier water is that it has to dissolve in water and or mix well with water.

Anything that has an oily or gummy texture to it like essential oils or medicinal salves like Vicks can clog up your humidifier and make it ineffectual to do the job of moistening the air it is intended for.

But there are some great additives that you can put right into humidifier water, and most you probably have in your house already.

Many people get great results from putting all natural bacteria and mold inhibitors like vinegar, lemon, and peroxide right into the water basin of their humidifier.

Other items like cologne, perfume, and even fabric softener like Downey can turn the humidifier into an excellent combination air moisturizer and deodorizer.

We hope you found something in this article that you can use or spur your own imagination for ways that you can utilize your humidifier.

Can I Use Essential Oil In An Air Purifier? 2021 Update

Essential oils are a great way of adding atmosphere and healing qualities to surrounding air in a room. And also there are many essential oils that have air purifying qualities.

Essential Oil Diffuser and Air Purifier

 

Though not an air purifier in the traditional sense in that it uses a filter to capture particulates ,
An Essential Oil Diffuser is Already an Air Purifier. By using the right essential oils can hinder the production of the germs and bacteria that trigger household allergies and allergy symptoms.

Essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender have anti bacterial properties that can help purify your air as well as add a fresh and calming atmosphere to the room.

Can I use essential oil in air purifier?

You can use essential oils in an air purifier in a specific air cleaner called an Air washer or Air revitalizer. This type of  air cleaner uses water to clean the air and provide their own essential oils to be used in the system. Unfortunately, with other types of air purifiers, there is no place to add essential oils.

 

Air Purifiers With Essential Oils

Air washers and revitalizers are both hybrid multi-tech machines that combine the air purifier with a humidifier and a essential oil diffuser. Sharp also has a bowl air purifier and air freshener product along the lines of the revitalizer.

The revitalizer is actually marketed as a air purifier, humidifier,  and a essential oil diffuser.

It has a unique bowl design that draws air into a chamber where the water is basically thrown around and against the inside of the bowl to clean the air. Check it out here.

The provided essential oil is added right into the water. The key word here is “provided”. Most essential oils wont work well as an additive to water.

When the air purification process is done, humid,  aromatic water exits the machine.

These machines are meant to be a jack of all trades type of appliance and as hybrid are probably not as good at doing any of its functions individually as they could be done by purchasing the right appliance for the purpose.

Essential Oils On Air Filter

Putting essential oils directly on the air filter of your home heating and air system can turn your ductwork into a whole house diffuser.

The HVAC (central heat and air conditioning unit) in your home is actually performing the function of an air purifier by filtering debris and germs(depending on the quality of the air filter) and dehumidifying when the AC is running.

The inside of the duct work running through your home is also notorious for being full of contaminants like mold spores and dust.

A great way to introduce aromatherapy to the filtration process of your HVAC is to add essential oils directly onto the surface of the filter when you replace it. 

How do you add essential oils to an air filter?

  1. Purchase a brand new replacement filter.
  2. And 15 to 20 drops of essential oil directly to the face of the filter.
  3. Install the filter like normal.

Recommended essential oils for your air filter:

Cinnamon oil.
Cinnamon will add a delicious fragrance to your home and has antibacterial properties that make it great as an additive to your air quality

Lemon oil.
Lemon smells great and it has germ and bacteria killing properties that make it a great whole house essential oil.

Eucalyptus and tea tree oil.
Eucalyptus and tea tree oils both aid with breathing better especially when there are other things in the air trying to make you congested

Diffuser vs. Air Purifier vs. Humidifier

The difference between a diffuser and an air purifier and a humidifier is how they affect air.
The diffuser disperses aromatherapy oils into the air
A humidifier disperses moisture into the air
And an air purifier filters contaminants from the air.

Take the Revitalizer for instance, as an air purifier, they’re much more limited at reducing household contaminants and odors then say an air purifier that uses a HEPA and carbon filter design.

As a humidifier, they are also limited and only really claim to lightly humidify the room as the air is being released from the machine.

As a diffuser, they do a good job of spreading out an aromatic scent throughout the room. They get a B+ for odors. But the essential oils that go in the unit are specially designed it may not have the same anti germ properties.

Air washers on the other hand do a much better job at cleaning the air than an air revitalizer. And even better than there air purifying capacity, they are one of the best humidifiers that money can buy. See it here.
But as for a diffuser, they are pretty much an afterthought. You can add scents to the water just like a revitalizer but they have to be the scents that they provide.

Can I use essential oil in air purifier
Diffuser and Humidifier Difference

The difference between a diffuser and a humidifier is that the purpose of diffuser is to disperse aromatic essential oils scents into the air.

Whereas a humidifier disperses water mist to add moisture or humidity to the air.

But..

Also there are many humidifiers that have a essential oil tray to add a few drops.

So essentially, the right humidifier is already a hybrid humidifier and diffuser.

If it weren’t for the climate, buying a humidifier with a essential oil tray would be a simple solution for everything.
Diffusers can be used anytime of the year where humidifiers are mostly only useful during the dry months of winter.

There are also some similarities between diffusers and humidifiers though,
both must be cleaned often in order to avoid the appearance of mold in the machine.
And both provided it’s the right kind of humidifier can disperse essential oils into the atmosphere.

But humidity can also facilitate dust mites and mold spores which is contrary to the reason you would want a essential oil diffuser.

Air revitalizer vs. Diffuser

A air revitalizer is a hybrid machine that combines and air purifier, a humidifier and diffuser in one.
A diffuser is specifically made to disperse essential oil scents into the air.

This may be a good solution if you need a humidifier running while you are diffusing essential oils,

But if your air is already humid enough,  you may not want to add a humidifier to the mix especially in the warmer months when the humidity is already high.

Diffuser and air purifier? Same time?

No. The reason is most air purifiers come with a carbon filter that is designed to adsorb odors.
Running an air purifier with a carbon filter and an essential oil diffuser at the same time will reduce the effectiveness of the diffuser.

Also, air purifiers most always have a HEPA filter installed. HEPA filters are very dense filters better woven together so as to not allow anything above .03 microns to filter through.

Though a HEPA filter it’s not likely to interfere with an aromatherapy diffuser,  being that the essential oils that go in the diffuser are oily, you may find that the HEPA filter in your air purifier will get extra grimy from filtering out oil from the air. And reduce the life of the filter.

Do diffusers clean the air?Do diffusers clean the air?

Yes they can. There are many essential oils that have air cleaning properties.
Eucalyptus oil for one is great for making breathing easier.

Essential oils are often placed in humidifiers to help the recipient be able to breathe better and get a good night sleep when they are feeling stuffy or have a cold.

Tea tree oil is another essential oil they can be used for many anti bacterial purposes including everything from taking the sting out of a mosquito bite to fighting airborne mold spores.

The reason it is possible for essential oils to help with air purification is because essential oils are plant based, and plants are one of the best way to naturally keep your air oxygenated and clean.

Plants are also a great way to add a little humidity to a dry room without going the distance of purchasing a humidifier. Believe it or not, just keeping your plants watered will actually humidify your air.

Summary

Adding essential oils to an air purifier is possible if you have the right type of air purifier. Either a Air Washer or an Air Revitalizer.

Because both of these air purifiers combine air purification with a humidifier, They also come with their own essential oil scents that you can add to the water.

But most air purifiers are not made to disperse essential oils and do not have any place to add them.

There are also many humidifiers though, that actually come with a tray to add essential oil drops and will act as a diffuser.

This is a good idea when you need a humidifier running, but a humidifier is not something you typically need to run all year long.

And though there are some air purification qualities that come with many essential oils, running an air purifier and a essential oil diffuser is not a good idea because most air purifiers reduce odors with activated carbon, which will also reduce the scent of the essential oils.

Kind of defeats the purpose.

Also anything that is oily in the air while the air purifier is running is going to absorb into the HEPA filter and potentially reducing the life of the filter.

The best of all worlds in one machine is probably the revitalizer.

But a diffuser or a humidifier or a air purifier is a much better machine individually then trying to combine them all into one unit.

 

Ceiling Fan Questions – (Is Bigger Always Better?)

In my house, there are ceiling fans running throughout the house just about all year long.

If one were to burn out, there is no doubt that we be shopping for one very quickly and probably have it up by at least the upcoming weekend.

And you might think since we rely on ceiling fans so heavily to keep the air in our house moving, that we would be ceiling fan experts.

Unfortunately that’s not the case. Whenever there’s a issue with a ceiling fan, Were running to the internet like everyone else.

Shopping for a new ceiling fan is not exactly intuitive especially when I’m looking at the ceiling at the vast selection no ceiling fans at Lowe’s.

And trying to figure out why a ceiling fan is making a racket is not exactly in my wheelhouse of skill sets.

So what I’ve compiled here is a few of the things that I’ve learned about ceiling fans that might be able to help you sort through some issues when you’re trying to deal with your own ceiling fan.

Or buying a new one.

What is the Purpose of a Ceiling Fan?

The purpose of a ceiling fan is to move the air in the room. Ceiling fans add a cooling effect to your body in the same way that an outdoor breeze helps cool you off while you were outside.

Ceiling fans do nothing to change the temperature though, they are simply blowing the air lightly or heavily depending on how you set it.

And just like the analogy of an outdoor breeze, if the temperature is warmer, you get a warmer breeze and if the temperatures cooler you get a cooler breeze. And if it’s a calm day, you get a slight breeze, and if it’s too windy day, you may get breezed over.

That is why a ceiling fan can work particularly well in conjunction with an air conditioner. With the AC running, the ceiling fan will blow a cooler breeze across your body and help you to cool off faster.

Is it Cheaper to Run a Fan or AC?

It cost much less to run a ceiling fan than it does in air conditioner so when the weather is warm and it doesn’t exactly make sense to run the air conditioner, the ceiling fan can move the air in the room and help add a slight breeze.

Is it Expensive to Run a Ceiling Fan?

A large ceiling fan uses about 70 to 90 Watts of energy. If you were to run it 24 hours , the cost would be around $1.90.

If you ran the central heat and air for 24 hours, a 3500 watt unit would cost you about $15 a day.

A pretty substantial difference.

So putting the right ceiling fans in your rooms makes a lot of sense economically and can help your AC do a more efficient job of cooling your home.

But…

Getting the right ceiling fan can be tricky when you have to wade through so many choices and styles,

Getting down to the nuts and bolts of what you need in a ceiling fan versus style can be a little intimidating especially if you’re shopping for a fan with your “live in” home decor expert.

What Type of Ceiling Fan Moves the Most Air?

Scientifically, a larger ceiling fan is going to move more air.
Longer blade length means more air that is being pushed down as the ceiling fan turns.

Airflow is measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute). You’ll find with a little shopping that a larger fan will have a larger CFM. It’s just that simple.

And economically speaking, it’s going to take less energy to to move the air when the span of the blades is longer.

Think about it this way. If you want more air flow out of a ceiling fan, you either get to turn the speed up or get a larger fan that moves more air at a lower speed.

It’s going to cost less for a larger fan at a low speed then a smaller ceiling fan cranked up on high.

Essentially a larger fan on a slow speed will move about the same air as a smaller ceiling fan on a high speed.

So from a practical viewpoint, choosing a larger fan with longer blades that you are intending to run on low, is a better choice when you’re looking for a new ceiling fan.

Some of the other benefits to choosing a larger fan are:

1.If you decide to change the blades,
Changing the blade fan size to a smaller blade is an option because the motor can easily handle less weight.

Where is a smaller fan usually does not have a large enough motor capacity to to be able to carry the additional load without adding strain that will eventually burn it out quicker.

2.  A larger ceiling fan gives you the option of being able to crank up the air flow whereas a smaller ceiling fan is already running at a high speed to get the air flow it has.

What is the Purpose of a Ceiling FanHow Many Blades on a Ceiling Fan Make the Best Air Flow?

Three blade ceiling fans create less drag which translates into more flow of air but they are generally much louder and meant to be used in rooms with taller ceiling heights.

Most homes in the western hemisphere have shorter ceiling heights which brings the ceiling fan closer to the people in the room.

Which means the noise level of the ceiling fan has to be manageable and in order to get a ceiling fan to be quieter, it has to have more blades.

Five blades is the standard for ceiling fans because of the give and take between air flow and noise levels.

Also home ceiling fans are almost always equipped with lighting fixtures and by necessity need to be closer to the people in the room to provide enough light.

Three blade fans are meant to be placed higher up and don’t usually come with a light fixture.

Can a Ceiling Fan be too Large for a Room?

A ceiling fan can be too large for a room when there is not enough clearance between the blades and anything else that is hanging on the wall or hanging from the ceiling.

The general rule of thumb is that you do not want to ceiling fan within a foot of anything that it could possibly come in contact with.

The other issue is that a big ceiling fan just may not fit the style of a room or just be too bulky.

Sure you could get a huge ceiling  fan and run it on low in a small room and get better airflow then you would a small ceiling fan but there is still things like aesthetics to consider.

Picking a ceiling fan with the largest cfm that meets the criteria of style also, is the way to get the best airflow and the biggest bang for your money.

Q&A

Are ceiling fan arms universal?

Ceiling fan arms are not universal. The best way to ensure that you are getting the proper replacement arm for your ceiling fan is to check the model number of your fan with the listing of which ceiling fans a package of replacement arms will accommodate.

Otherwise take the broken part with you to the hardware store and compare the hose to make sure that they will interchange.

Are ceiling fan down rods universal?

Ceiling fan down rods are generally not universal. Though many manufacturers use the same type of down rods, that is not always the case and it is suggested to check with the manufacturer to ensure that you are purchasing the right replacement.

Are ceiling fan blades interchangeable?

Ceiling fan blades are interchangeable for the most part. Most hardware stores carry a generic selection of ceiling fan blades that can be swapped out easily.
  Some ceiling fan blades will have a specific screw hole layout that you will not be able to find a generic replacement for. In that case you’ll have to go through the manufacturer.

What is a ceiling fan rated outlet box?

A ceiling fan rated outlet box is a electrical box that is designed to support the weight of a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan electrical box must be screwed securely to a stud inside of your framework. A large ceiling fan can weigh as much as 50 lb. Ensuring that it is fastened to the ceiling is vital.

What is the average weight of a ceiling fan?

The average weight of a ceiling fan is 20 to 50  lbs. The most a ceiling fan box can hold is 50 lb without it being marked otherwise. A medium sized ceiling fan with a lighting fixture and five blades weighs an average of 25 lb.

Our ceiling fan blades reversible?

Ceiling fan blades are generally reversible and painted a different color on the back side of the blade so that you can easily change the look of the ceiling fan by flipping the ceiling fan blades.

What is the button on a ceiling fan for?

The button on the ceiling fan is there to change the direction of the motor. The up or right position of the button will typically cause your ceiling fan to spin clockwise.

Which way should a ceiling fan turn in the summer?

Counterclockwise is the direction of a ceiling fan that pushes the air down and causes a cool breeze that can give you relief during the summer months.

What is the lowest ceiling height for a ceiling fan?

The lowest ceiling height that you can use a ceiling fan in is 8 ft.

Can a Wobbly Ceiling Fan Fall Off? (Probably Not? Can it?)

Can a Wobbly Ceiling Fan Fall Off?

A correctly installed ceiling fan will not fall however wobbly. Ceiling fans are by necessity secured to a stud via an electrical box. Without being attached to a stud, the weight of an average ceiling fan would be to much to stay up otherwise.

But that doesn’t mean all ceiling fans are attached correctly or the light fixture box that they are attached too is fastened to a stud correctly.

A good indicator on whether the installation was done right is how long the ceiling fan has been in place. If it’s been there for months and years, you can be sure it would have had much more of a problem than being wobbly by now.

if only other hand it’s a brand new ceiling fan, and or if you don’t trust the person who installed it, it’s well worth it too turn the fan off and make sure that it is fast and securely to a stud in the ceiling.

But that will usually not be the case.

A wobbly ceiling fan is most typically due to a bent blade holder or a blade holder that the screws have worked themselves loose on.

A wobbly ceiling fan is an unbalanced ceiling fan.

The easiest way a ceiling fan becomes unbalanced is that it has been hit and one of the fan blades has got out of sync because of a slight or even drastic bend in the fan holder.

I have seen ceiling fans begin to wobble after somebody decided to stop the ceiling fan with the broom. Even though the ceiling fan was off, it was still spinning, and trying to slow it down with the broom was enough to being one of the blades just enough that the fan begin to wobble.

All that to say, that it doesn’t take much to bend a fan blade on a ceiling fan.

How to Fix a Wobbly Ceiling Fan?

Fixing a wobbly ceiling fan is a lot of trial and error.

But it helps knowing the things that can cause it to start the wobble so that you can go through and make sure each part is working right.

1.  Parts have work themselves loose.

Ceiling fans have many parts on them that can just work themselves loose or out of position overtime because of the centrifugal Force associated with them.

The easiest thing to do is just work your way down from the top. And every point along this list, if you have done anything to adjust it, turn the fan on and see if the problem is solved.
( Make sure that you let the fan come to a stop and don’t try to stop it otherwise. You could easily make the problem worse.)

A. At the point that the ceiling fan meets the ceiling, take the casing off and check make sure that the ball that the ceiling fan hangs on is sitting down and it’s bracket and is not worked itself out of place.

B. While the casing is off, you can make sure that the box that the ceiling fan hanging bracket is screwed into is secure.

C. Wipe all the ceiling fan blades off. Ceiling fan blades tend to get very dusty. Sometimes Dusty enough that the added weight from the dust can throw the fan out of balance.

D. Tighten all the screws. There is generally three screws on each fan holder attaching the blades to the main hub of the ceiling fan.
Go through and make sure all the screws are tight.

E. If you’ve gone through and made sure everything was secure and tightened, then the problem is more likely to be a fan blade that is slightly bent.

To find out if one of your blade holders is bent, take a tape measure and measure from the ceiling down to the end of each blade. One of the blades will most likely be a little further down from the ceiling than the other ones.

1. The easiest way to fix a bent ceiling fan blade is to purchase new fan blade holders. Then just replace each one.

Though buying new family holders and replacement may be easy, it’s not the cheapest way.

2.  Purchase a ceiling fan balancing kit. ( You can find a free version of this below this section)

A balancing kit for a ceiling fan is a simple package of a weighted clip and a couple of small weights.

a. The first thing to do before you start applying the balancing kit is to number each ceiling fan blade by writing directly on them or putting a piece of tape on each one and writing on the tape.
This is an important step because you’re going to have to have a way to keep track of your progress as you go through each blade and check the balance.

b. Take the clip that comes in the package and put it on the first ceiling fan blade. (The one you marked with a 1). Turn the ceiling fan on and see if that took the wobble out. If it did not, go through the same process with each of the blades till you find the one that is out of balance.

c. Once you have found the ceiling fan blade that is out of balance, take the weights that came in the balancing package and tape one to the back of the fan blade that you found to be the culprit. (take the clip off). The second weight is included in case one weight is not quite enough to fix the problem.

how to balance a ceiling fan with coinsHow to Balance a Ceiling Fan with Coins?

Fixing a wobbly fan with pennies is the do it yourself version of a store-bought balancing kit.
Only it’s practically free except for the few pennies you’ll need to make it work.

To use this nifty ideal, you’ll have to have a few items that you can easily find around the house.
The first is pennies. You should probably find about 5 to start with. but you’re probably only going to end up using about three.
Some duct tape.
And a couple of potato chip bag clips if you really want to mimic the balancing kit.

Just like when you’re using a store-bought balancing kit, you want to clean and number each one of the ceiling fan blades before you start be able to keep up with which fan blade you tried in the process.

The ideal here is to take one of the potato chip bag clips and clip it on to the first ceiling fan blade. (The one you label number one)

Then turn the fan on and see if it made a difference in the wobbling. If it did,  great.
You’re practically done.

But if it didn’t, you’re going to want to repeat the process blade by blade to you find the one that is giving you the wobbling trouble.

Finally after you have decided which blade is the problem maker, you’ll take the chip clip off and put the pennies on the back side of the blade and tape them down with duct tape.

How many pennies? This is also up to trial and error. It may take two, it may take five. However many it takes, the ideal is to add enough weight to the one ceiling fan blade that is causing your fan to wobble so that it is balanced and working well again.

Also if you find the duct tape does not hold the pennies on, you might have to switch to some super glue and fasten them a lot better.