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I know,it's silly,but I don't like ceiling fans.But is it a "must have"?
My lot is a couple blocks from the ocean,there are more windows,than walls in the house .Thank you in advance for your input.
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The case for ceiling fans highlights the issue of a home that is well designed for themal properties. One one hand people assume that because this is the tropics that a ceiling fan is needed in every room. That means an electric motor running for hours and days. With our electric rates that gets expensive.
In my opinion a big need for such fans is due to the poor design and construction of many homes. With metal roof and no insulation the building becomes a heat sink. A piece of roof metal can, on a 90 degree day, get to 160 degrees in the sun. That heat moves into the building. A few home builders install radiant barriors under the roof metal. That helps.
One the most part though, at this latitude, the use of a fan at ocean level should be occassional to rare in a well designed home.
So this is a case for insulated buildings. It's a energy issue. You can either pay small up front on the material bill or pay HELCO large for decades to come.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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We are redoing our house, adding radiant barrier help a ton! (could actually feel the difference as we installed it! - the house had & still has insulation, but the barrier made a big difference. If the trades fluff out, we sometime turn on a fan in the afternoon for a little bit, but before we installed them, we didn't  We do not get ocean breezes here (downtown Keaau, 500' elev..), so we rely on the trades (& good vetilation, barriers & insulation!) Would love to have a clearstory in the center of the greatroom.... but that is for later...
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Indeed... We installed 4 ceiling fans (LR, Kit, and both bedrooms) of our small house, but rarely use them. However, the times when we do they are invaluable. We call those "dew point events", when the moist air condenses on our floor creating slippery situations. Wet footprints are a sure sign. We turn the fans on for a brief time to move the air around, and the interior air dries out. Unintended usage, but it works very well! I would not have installed 4 in a 1000 sq ft house, though... about 1/2 of our windows are screen-only, so lots of ventilation under most circumstances. Probably 95% of the time they are not used at all.
Jane
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Thank you,Rob ,Carey and Jane!
I am planning to have the radiant barrier,the owner of my "model" house said that he regrets not putting one.
But how about the roof? Metal is not good?
I am planning to have a well,no catchment.
Thank you again.
Jane,do you live far from the ocean?
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I think it's a matter of taste, design and locations. I don't know what the trades are like at your approximate location, Stillhope, although I am hoping to make some friends in that area and find out.
Here's my take: Put 'em in. Get one that is stainless steel and on a remote that mounts to the wall. Me, I need air moving on me when it is 70 degrees or more. You might need it, too.
Ceiling fans are one of the least expensive additions to a home. They are attractive and come in many different styles, and also provide lighting. If you want it, there it is. The additional cost is comparitevely small. At least put one in the master.
In my place in New Orleans, I got the very best ceiling fan I could buy. I was so glad I did. It gets hot there. Doesn't get quite as hot and steamy in Seaview, weatherwise, but if you are feeling a little flushed, it is nice to be fanned.
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I agree with Glen - the cost is minimal and it does help to have them around when you need them. They can also add to the room's aesthetics.
Importantly, getting the rooms wired for a switch for separate fan and light circuits, as well as mounting that can accept the fan's weight, are easier while you're building. If too late, you can purchase special switches that allow for separate light and fan controls.
Noel
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quote:
Originally posted by Glen
I think it's a matter of taste.
Get one that is stainless steel and on a remote that mounts to the wall. They are attractive and come in many different styles.
Glen,that's the whole thing-so far I've seen the ugly ones.
As far as their function is concerned,I have a tall one from Sharper Image.My house is very small (a studio with the loft).Can a floor fan do the job ?
I'll probably will follow yours and Noel's advice but just would be interesting to know.
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A loft can get a little warm, because, ya know, heat goes up. I am a fan connaisseur. I studied them intensely after I moved to New Orleans, because it was quite steamy down there and I thought I was gonna die. The New Orleans condo I sold (not the one I have) had the most beautiful fan on the planet. The center was brass and it turned around ( http://www.farreys.com/i/ceiling_fans_ca...s_6944.jpg). The amazing thing about that fan is the way it kicked out the wind. Unbelievable. Cooled a person down in seconds. That style is not appropriate for Hawaii though.
You don't want to spend a lot of money on a small space, and you don't have to with ceiling fans. You can get looks, windpower and economy. Casablanca has the best fans. I think this one is gorgeous: http://www.casablancafanco.com/product/p...largo.html
Yes, floor fans work, but they take up space on the floor. You don't want that in a studio. Get everything off the floor. You should be able to see the floor beneath your furniture. Nothing blocky. You want to maximize the space as I did in my 260 square foot condo (I think it is actually 300!): http://www.flyingbeds.com/23.NewOrleans/NewOrleans.htm
So, you will want the fan above you, not on the floor. If you don't want a ceiling fan, I would get a heavy old brass Emerson table fan on E-bay that is in good condition (search: emerson brass fan). The old fans blast it out there and cool you down really well. Make sure the wiring is sound.
There will be hot days in Hawaii.
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Roofing, if on catchment, seems metal is the way to go.... & is more traditional here.... HPM metal has a radiant coating... but still the barrier beneath seems to help...
There are a lot of diffent fan models to choose from, some are very creative these days... floor fans do move air, but do take up floor space & are likely to blow things off of horizontal surfaces...
ceiling fans are an added mention in most house sales, so there is an added bonus...
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