Not all ceiling fans are of the common, motor-driven residential variety.
There are several different varieties of ceiling fans, each designed for a slightly different application. While most residential ceiling fans are the familiar indoor, motor-driven variety, there are also ceiling fans rated for outdoor use, belt-driven ceiling fans and ceiling fans based on the manually operated punkah fan popularized in southeast Asia.
Standard Ceiling Fans
Standard residential ceiling fans hang from a rod called a downrod and move air with horizontally mounted blades driven by a motor mounted inside a decorative housing. Most have lights mounted on the unit. There are several minor variations on this system, largely related to the design of the motor. Low-profile designs for use on low, flat ceilings have a short downrod. Energy Star-rated ceiling fans use 50 percent less energy than standard ceiling fans.
Belt-Drive Ceiling Fans
Belt-driven ceiling fans are an old design that has undergone a recent resurgence in popularity for decorative purposes and a retro look. Instead of an internal motor, belt-driven fans connect by a belt to an exterior motor. Several fan units can run off a single belt in a large room, with the belt running in a zigzag pattern between the fans to form a point of visual interest within the room.
Outdoor Ceiling Fans
Outdoor ceiling fans can improve the comfort level of an area like a porch or pavilion. Because normal residential ceiling fans are not sealed against moisture, it is not safe to use them in extremely humid environments or areas where they are exposed to the elements. Outdoor ceiling fans have warp-resistant blades and a rust-resistant finish. They are made of materials that tolerate extremes of temperature and have a moisture barrier around the motor.
Punkah Ceiling Fans
Punkah ceiling fans are a completely different design than rotary ceiling fans. Based on an ancient southeast Asian design in which large palm leaves or fans trimmed with feathers were mounted on the ceiling and waved back and forth by servants pulling ropes to create a breeze directed down toward the floor, modern punkah ceiling fans run off of electricity and are usually made of synthetic materials. The air movement is more like a gentle wind than the circulation from rotary fans.
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