If you've never bought a fan before—or it's been a decade since your last purchase—the modern fan market can feel overwhelming. With dozens of brands, multiple fan types, and a bewildering array of features from smart home integration to bladeless technology, where do you even start?
This beginner's guide cuts through the confusion. We'll explain everything you need to know to make a confident purchase, from understanding the different types of fans to decoding the technical jargon you'll encounter while shopping.
Understanding How Fans Actually Cool You
Before choosing a fan, it helps to understand a fundamental truth: fans don't actually lower the temperature in a room. Unlike air conditioners, which remove heat from the air, fans create a cooling effect through air movement across your skin. This accelerates the evaporation of perspiration, which is your body's natural cooling mechanism.
Fans cool people, not rooms. Running a fan in an empty room wastes energy without providing any benefit. However, the perceived cooling effect of a fan can make you feel 4-6 degrees cooler, allowing you to set your air conditioner higher or skip it entirely.
This is why fans are such an energy-efficient cooling option. A typical ceiling fan uses about 30-50 watts on high speed, compared to 2,000-5,000 watts for a room air conditioner. By using fans strategically, Australian households can dramatically reduce their cooling energy costs.
Types of Fans Explained
Fans come in several distinct categories, each with their own strengths and ideal use cases. Let's explore each type in detail.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are permanently mounted to the ceiling and circulate air throughout the entire room. They're the most effective fan type for large spaces because their elevated position allows air to distribute evenly. Modern ceiling fans typically feature reversible motors, allowing them to push air downward in summer and pull air upward in winter to redistribute warm air that rises to the ceiling.
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, outdoor entertaining areas, and any space where you want permanent, whole-room air circulation.
Considerations: Require professional installation (licensed electrician in Australia), need adequate ceiling height (minimum 2.4m to blades), permanent fixture that can't be moved between rooms.
Pedestal Fans
Pedestal fans (also called stand fans) sit on an adjustable-height pole with a stable base. They're the most common portable fan type and offer a good balance of airflow power and flexibility. Most models feature oscillation to sweep air across a wider area.
Best for: Bedrooms, home offices, garages, and any space where you want powerful, flexible cooling that can be repositioned as needed.
Considerations: Take up floor space, can be knocked over by children or pets, require nearby power outlet.
Look for pedestal fans with a height-adjustable pole. This allows you to direct airflow at sitting height when you're on the couch, then raise it for standing work or to circulate air above furniture.
Tower Fans
Tower fans feature a vertical, columnar design that takes up minimal floor space. Instead of traditional blades, they use an internal impeller to draw air in from the back and push it out through vertical vents. Many tower fans include air filtration and oscillation features.
Best for: Apartments, small rooms, modern interiors where aesthetics matter, and spaces where you want air filtration alongside cooling.
Considerations: Generally less powerful than pedestal fans of similar price, internal components are difficult to clean, bladeless design is safer for homes with children.
Desk Fans
Compact fans designed to sit on desks, tables, or other surfaces. They provide personal cooling for one person and are typically the most affordable fan type.
Best for: Home offices, personal workspaces, bedside tables, and situations where you only need to cool one person.
Considerations: Limited airflow range, many are USB-powered for convenience, some can be noisy relative to their size.
Key Features to Understand
When shopping for fans, you'll encounter various features and specifications. Here's what the most important ones mean:
Motor Types: AC vs DC
This is perhaps the most important specification for ceiling fans. AC (alternating current) motors are the traditional technology—reliable, affordable, but less efficient. DC (direct current) motors are newer, more energy-efficient (using up to 70% less power), quieter, and typically offer more speed settings. DC fans cost more upfront but save money over time through reduced energy use. For a deeper understanding, see our guide on DC vs AC motor fans.
Airflow (CFM or m³/h)
Airflow measures how much air a fan can move. In Australia, you'll see this expressed in cubic metres per hour (m³/h), though American products often use CFM (cubic feet per minute). Higher numbers mean more air movement. A good ceiling fan moves 10,000+ m³/h, while desk fans might move 500-1,500 m³/h.
Noise Level (dB)
Measured in decibels (dB), noise level is crucial for bedrooms and quiet spaces. For reference: 30dB is a whisper, 40dB is a quiet library, 50dB is normal conversation. Look for fans rated under 40dB for bedrooms and under 50dB for living areas.
- Under 35dB: Virtually silent - ideal for bedrooms
- 35-45dB: Quiet - suitable for most living spaces
- 45-55dB: Moderate - acceptable for garages and outdoor areas
- Over 55dB: Loud - may be disruptive for extended use
Oscillation
Oscillation refers to the fan's ability to rotate from side to side, distributing air across a wider area. Most pedestal and tower fans offer this feature. Some premium models offer 360-degree oscillation. For ceiling fans, oscillation isn't applicable—they're designed to circulate air throughout the entire room from their fixed position.
Speed Settings
More speed settings provide finer control over airflow. Traditional AC motor fans typically offer 3 speeds. DC motor fans often provide 6 or more speeds, with some offering stepless variable speed control. More settings help you find the perfect balance between cooling and noise.
Choosing the Right Fan for Your Needs
With all this information, how do you actually make a decision? Start by answering these questions:
What size is your space? For rooms up to 15m², a desk or small pedestal fan may suffice. For 15-25m², a larger pedestal fan or 42-48" ceiling fan works well. For spaces over 25m², consider a 52-60" ceiling fan or multiple smaller fans.
Do you need portability? If you want to move your fan between rooms, choose a pedestal, tower, or desk fan. If the fan will stay in one location, a ceiling fan offers the best performance.
What's your budget? Set realistic expectations. Quality desk fans start around $40-80. Good pedestal fans range from $80-200. Decent tower fans cost $100-300. Ceiling fans vary widely from $150 for basic models to $800+ for premium designs.
How important is noise? If you're a light sleeper or need quiet for work, prioritise low-dB ratings and consider DC motor options despite their higher cost.
Your First Fan Purchase: A Checklist
Before finalising your purchase, run through this quick checklist to ensure you're making the right choice. Consider whether you have measured your room and chosen an appropriate fan size. Think about whether you've confirmed ceiling height if buying a ceiling fan. Check that you understand the noise level and that it suits your needs. Verify the warranty length and what it covers. Make sure you know if professional installation is required.
Armed with this knowledge, you're ready to make an informed decision about home cooling. Remember, the "best" fan isn't necessarily the most expensive—it's the one that matches your specific needs, space, and budget. Take your time, do your research, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions.