14 January 2014

What is the best portable fan to buy in Canberra?

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Hello rioters,

It’s hot and getting hotter. I like to sleep without sweating so I am looking for advice on the quietest pedestal or tower fan to buy so that I can use it in my bedroom at night. It needs to be as quiet as possible or the missus gets the hump and turns it off…

Yes, I know that proper air conditioning or even ceiling fans would be the best thing to get, but I live in a rental property so that sort of permanent installation is just not on the cards right now.

Thanks in advance.

 

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zorro29 said :

dtc said :

Thinking laterally as well…ear plugs. They arent as uncomfortable as you may think.

Agree. I have slept with ear plugs and an eye mask for about 15 years (or maybe more). I don’t live with noise etc but am an exceptionally light sleeper/easily disrupted so it helps me settle and sleep better.

Not to mention totally sexy…

Surely the eyemask is compulsory with the name of Zorro?

IP

the bigger the blades the more noisy it is. just like wind turbines.

Best fan is the old brown box Bonaire , they blow like a hurricane compared to the s*** they offer now days.

dtc said :

Thinking laterally as well…ear plugs. They arent as uncomfortable as you may think.

Agree. I have slept with ear plugs and an eye mask for about 15 years (or maybe more). I don’t live with noise etc but am an exceptionally light sleeper/easily disrupted so it helps me settle and sleep better.

Not to mention totally sexy…

Thinking laterally as well…ear plugs. They arent as uncomfortable as you may think.

veronicamars1:29 pm 15 Jan 14

I’ve just bought a Dyson air multiplier and honestly don’t find it any better than the blade fans we have for moving air, however it is less noisy. We once had a portable evaporative cooler and we found it no more useful than a fan for cooling, so don’t waste your money on that.

A_Cog said :

Last month I bought two evaporative coolers (one LG, one by some other company which I can’t remember) to protect me from the summer heat. They’re 55W and 70W. One cost $99, LG cost $120. They were to replace my two tower fans, because I hoped I could do better.

Not super impressed. You add tonnes of water (one is 7L, the other is 11L), put in some ice cubes, close the door to the room, but the air isn’t that fantastic. They push air out like a tower fan, they make the same amount of noise, and you’ve always gotta check the water level because if they run dry when they’re on ‘cool’ then you blow the motor (or sumfink). They’re both kinda… meh.

That’s because you are using it wrong, evaporative coolers are meant to be put against a open door (keep your screen door locked over night blah blah) to the outside so it can draw in air/cool air/cool air comes out other side. they don’t work that at all if there is no cross flow of air as well, ie. an open window etc.

yes they do get in the road a bit if your trying to get in and out but before we got a full evaporative cooling system at our house this was the next best thing. we only had one big portable one and that did most of the house

c_c™ said :

It’s not a dud, might have been staff price but I picked it myself off the shelf from general stock. Sounds just like the display models and it’s an issue raised in most reviews of them.

The problem is inherent to the design. The impeller in the base operates at high rpm so is high pitched and quite loud, while the cylindrical airfoil surface accelerates air out while creating currents to draw more air in.

That tends to be the way with Dyson though, it’s a trend with their engineering. Fix one problem but introduce a bunch of others. Dyson vacs don’t loose suction, but their design certainly never had as much suction to begin with. And the Dyson Airblades technology supposedly dries quicker and easier than traditional air driers, but in experience, they’re louder and blow the water up your arms.

I bought a Dyson Vac and I probably could have got a cheaper vac just as good but ive got no complaints works ok. The Dyson hand cleaner works really well ive used a couple of these as there installing them on various offshore installations. No idea about the fans but its good that they come up with these new ideas and at least it pushes the envelope a bit and encourages others to up there game.

I just bought a Kogan reverse cycle portable air conditioner for $299 (normal price) with free delivery (New Year Sale). Much better than I expected, though it struggled through yesterday (and probably will for the rest of the week). House is very draughty and poorly insulated, so I’m not surprised it struggled.

Not as noisy as I expected, but I wouldn’t sleep in the same room as it running – I’d suggest using it when the sun goes down to cool your bedroom, then switch it off and leave windows/doors open.

The Kogan is not an inverter air conditioner (portable inverters are 4-figure prices, if they exist at all), so it starts and stops (if it ever reaches its target temperature!), which is probably more annoying than constant running. Running cost is about 1kw per hour, probably less if it is switching itself off and on. I’m only using it during sunlight so that ACTEWAGL don’t get my cheap solar electricity.

Someone had a cheap Dimplex portable inverter air conditioner listed on Ebay in Canberra recently, but they ended the listing early, dammit.

Am working up to buying and installing one of the highly recommended and super-efficient Mitsubishi Heavy Industry split system “hyper-inverters” that have a COP around 6, as much for cheap heating as for cooling. (The Kogan claims a COP around 3, but that would be reduced by the “open window effect” of portable air conditioners).

IP

Madam Cholet said :

Passing by Homeart t’other day I noted they had ‘misting’ fans for about $130. Felt very cool when I stood next to it. I’m assuming you fill some part of it with water and it then spews it out as an icy mist. Wasn’t overly noisy and they had tower or more squat versions. Honestly been considering a purchase myself.

I have one of the shorter ones of these and yes it is like having an evaporative without the bulk. it takes a couple of litres of water and that lasts all night. in our dry heat the water takes the heat out of the air and makes it more comfortable. unfortunately there is noise (that is hard to get away from).

wildturkeycanoe7:20 am 15 Jan 14

Thinking outside the square here, why not go for a window air conditioner? Just search the net and you will find cheap ones, under $200. It wouldn’t be a massive job to place one in the open window of the bedroom after removing the flyscreen and using some chipboard, a few bits of timber and silicon as a frame to support it and seal the window cavity. This would be removable and thus okay for tenancy purposes plus gives you not only cooling but heating as well if it is a reverse cycle. If you aren’t so much of a handy-person I can understand why it isn’t an option but if someone were willing to help with it I’m sure you could sleep easy at a pleasant 23 degrees.
I haven’t looked into the portable air con style ones with the big flexible tube to stick out the window, they could be even easier to install but unfortunately cost a little more.
It all depends on how much a good night’s sleep is worth to ya. Good luck with the searching.

We too have a Dyson, hands down the noisiest fan I have ever heard. On the other hand we just bought one of these…
http://www.omegaaltise.com.au/product/product_details/Cooling/Tower_fan_OT750RI
I like the fact that it can extend higher to blow over the bed, very quiet on lower speeds and the timer is very handy so one doesnt wake up cold at 5am.

It’s not a dud, might have been staff price but I picked it myself off the shelf from general stock. Sounds just like the display models and it’s an issue raised in most reviews of them.

The problem is inherent to the design. The impeller in the base operates at high rpm so is high pitched and quite loud, while the cylindrical airfoil surface accelerates air out while creating currents to draw more air in.

That tends to be the way with Dyson though, it’s a trend with their engineering. Fix one problem but introduce a bunch of others. Dyson vacs don’t loose suction, but their design certainly never had as much suction to begin with. And the Dyson Airblades technology supposedly dries quicker and easier than traditional air driers, but in experience, they’re louder and blow the water up your arms.

Queen_of_the_Bun7:25 pm 14 Jan 14

c_c™ said :

peitab said :

The Dyson ones are definitely the quietest, but are not in everyone’s price range. In the past, I’ve found portable evaporative coolers are about as noisy as regular portable fans. Have you considered a fan with a timer? That way the noise isn’t going all night, but you could fall asleep with the fan on (if the noise isn’t an issue for you falling asleep).

The Dyson’s aren’t quiet. I’ve got one, and got it cheap on staff pricing so the price is right, but I’d never recommend someone paying retail get one. They’re effective, but not much more so than a typical blade fan. The big draw back is the aircraft wing design that is used to accelerate the air forced out by the impeller means it’s both very loud, and quite high pitched. So it is intrusive, particularly on higher settings and much more so than a bladed fan.

Maybe you got a dud one in return for the staff discount. Mine is not high-pitched, or very loud.

Queen_of_the_Bun7:24 pm 14 Jan 14

maxblues said :

Queen_of_the_Bun said :

I’ve bought a Dyson and I love it. Plus it does look really cool.

I have been thinking of getting one. Is it the straight fan or the heater fan combo? How is the noise level?

Just the fan. At first I thought it was noisy but that was because I was expecting silence.

However, it’s much quieter than my pedestal fan, particularly as it doesn’t make any creaking or clicking motions as the fan turns. It’s much easier to sleep when the sound is constant and you’re not lying awake waiting for the change in sound every five seconds or so.

Plus it is beautiful to look at and very easy to move around. And easy to dust, unlike pedestal fans.

I have airconditioning but have not actually needed to turn it on this week because I just move the Dyson around to whichever room I’m in. Will be interested to compare my electricity bill with last summer’s.

I might even buy a Dyson vacuum now, despite swearing off them after a very disappointing run of them in the UK in the early noughties.

Use any powerful fan to set up a current through the room, going with any ambient breeze rather than against it. Hang a wet towel or sheet in the window, another in the door. The evaporation should work really effectively.

A_Cog said :

Last month I bought two evaporative coolers (one LG, one by some other company which I can’t remember) to protect me from the summer heat. They’re 55W and 70W. One cost $99, LG cost $120. They were to replace my two tower fans, because I hoped I could do better.

Not super impressed. You add tonnes of water (one is 7L, the other is 11L), put in some ice cubes, close the door to the room, but the air isn’t that fantastic. They push air out like a tower fan, they make the same amount of noise, and you’ve always gotta check the water level because if they run dry when they’re on ‘cool’ then you blow the motor (or sumfink). They’re both kinda… meh.

You probably shouldn’t be closing the door to the room. Evaporative coolers cool the air through evaporation, and if you’ve got the door to your room closed, then the air is just going to become saturated, lessening the cooling effect.

Generally i think the instructions recommend placing the evaporative cooler in front of an open window or door to make sure it gets plenty of fresh air.

maxblues said :

Get a second-hand fan off a hovercraft, apparently they aren’t noisy.

Whatever floats your boat… 🙂

If your fan is turning off when you hump your missus, I think you have a wiring issue, and I don’t think a new fan will be the required fix.

peitab said :

The Dyson ones are definitely the quietest, but are not in everyone’s price range. In the past, I’ve found portable evaporative coolers are about as noisy as regular portable fans. Have you considered a fan with a timer? That way the noise isn’t going all night, but you could fall asleep with the fan on (if the noise isn’t an issue for you falling asleep).

The Dyson’s aren’t quiet. I’ve got one, and got it cheap on staff pricing so the price is right, but I’d never recommend someone paying retail get one. They’re effective, but not much more so than a typical blade fan. The big draw back is the aircraft wing design that is used to accelerate the air forced out by the impeller means it’s both very loud, and quite high pitched. So it is intrusive, particularly on higher settings and much more so than a bladed fan.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd2:28 pm 14 Jan 14

Queen_of_the_Bun said :

I’ve bought a Dyson and I love it. Plus it does look really cool.

Those dysons are niiiiiiiiceeeee but very dear.

If the heat is unbearable, you can also see if your landlord would come to the party on a wall-mounted split system air con….super quiet and they’re pretty attractive nowadays too. Depending on how long you will live there, you can even offer to chip in for it…I know that sounds crazy to most, but what’s your comfort/sleep quality worth? 🙂

Glad there hasn’t been too much hatred for Dysons….my partner and I love them (we were called nuts for our recent purchase of a handheld vac for over $600 but it works damn it….they’re a cruel master! Hell, I even want one of those air blades (the hand dryers) for my bathroom).

Queen_of_the_Bun said :

I’ve bought a Dyson and I love it. Plus it does look really cool.

I have been thinking of getting one. Is it the straight fan or the heater fan combo? How is the noise level?

Thanks for the suggestions all.

I once owned a portable air conditioning unit, but it was like having a truck engine in the room with me, so they are not an option. I bought a larger fan (50cm) based on the arescarti42 theory, but the larger fan seems to get a larger motor and it was noticeably louder than the smaller fans. Possibly I should be looking for a fan with the smallest wattage instead…

I like the looks of the those Dyson bladeless fans, but holy crap they are not cheap. I wanted to go and listen to fans as postalgeek suggested, but I have not found too many places that have their pedestal fans set up and operating. Plus it’s hard to judge the noise level when they are on a busy shop floor.

Clearly my only option is to lobby my local member to pass a bill requiring all fan manufacturers to list the decibel output of their products on the box.

I’m pretty confident Giulia with a G will take some time out from her busy schedule of tracking down the narrabundah slasher and lobby for it on my behalf.

How the hell does your missus sleep in the heat then?

I have to say, ceiling fans are the best. Thery keep the air circulating which is the trick.
If you are going to pay for a fan why not ask your landlord about ceiling fans and offer to pay for some of it (ie the cost of a pedestal fan).

Also the good thing in Canberra is ducted evap A/C works really really well. Plus its a lot cheaper to run and install over those wall mounted A/C refrigerative units.

Last month I bought two evaporative coolers (one LG, one by some other company which I can’t remember) to protect me from the summer heat. They’re 55W and 70W. One cost $99, LG cost $120. They were to replace my two tower fans, because I hoped I could do better.

Not super impressed. You add tonnes of water (one is 7L, the other is 11L), put in some ice cubes, close the door to the room, but the air isn’t that fantastic. They push air out like a tower fan, they make the same amount of noise, and you’ve always gotta check the water level because if they run dry when they’re on ‘cool’ then you blow the motor (or sumfink). They’re both kinda… meh.

HiddenDragon1:44 pm 14 Jan 14

arescarti42 said :

Typically the bigger the fan, the slower it can turn to move a certain volume of air, and the quieter it will be.

I personally find the Dyson air multipliers to be a phenomenal waste of money. In my experience they’re just as effective (and noisy) as the $12 pedestal fans you find at places like BigW.

+1 re the Dysons – elegant design, I suppose, but I tried one, in a fit of sheer extravagance, found it surprisingly noisy and was very grateful to be allowed a full refund when I took it back the next day.

HiddenDragon1:31 pm 14 Jan 14

I can recommend a Zante pedestal – a gentle whir and a slight periodic click (which seems to have something to do with not using the oscillate function) which is really quite soothing – three speeds, and a fair range of tilt adjustment for the fan. From recollection, it was $20 – $30 when I got it a few years back.

In this weather any fan that works is a winner and buy ear plugs for the wife.

Queen_of_the_Bun1:01 pm 14 Jan 14

I’ve bought a Dyson and I love it. Plus it does look really cool.

Never encountered an portable evaporative cooler or portable air-conditioner that I would consider to be quiet. And the Dyson I’ve used isn’t quiet either.

Oi reckon you’ll have to do the leg work and go listen to fans.

Typically the bigger the fan, the slower it can turn to move a certain volume of air, and the quieter it will be.

I personally find the Dyson air multipliers to be a phenomenal waste of money. In my experience they’re just as effective (and noisy) as the $12 pedestal fans you find at places like BigW.

Madam Cholet12:40 pm 14 Jan 14

Passing by Homeart t’other day I noted they had ‘misting’ fans for about $130. Felt very cool when I stood next to it. I’m assuming you fill some part of it with water and it then spews it out as an icy mist. Wasn’t overly noisy and they had tower or more squat versions. Honestly been considering a purchase myself.

Get a second-hand fan off a hovercraft, apparently they aren’t noisy.

The Dyson ones are definitely the quietest, but are not in everyone’s price range. In the past, I’ve found portable evaporative coolers are about as noisy as regular portable fans. Have you considered a fan with a timer? That way the noise isn’t going all night, but you could fall asleep with the fan on (if the noise isn’t an issue for you falling asleep).

the white noise of a fan can actually be very helpful in urban environments.

Masters have some really huge bastards in right now which I’ve got my eye on.

Blen_Carmichael11:52 am 14 Jan 14

“It needs to be as quiet as possible or the missus gets the hump…”

Could be a win/win situation.

Instant Mash11:41 am 14 Jan 14

In my opinion, a little evaporative cooler would be the way to go. Quiet and cheaper to run.

Ah yes…..this is why I only ever live in places with fully ducted air con (don’t deal very well with the heat) 🙂 And can also relate to the noise of fans at night…

You can get portable air conditioners (evap ones) that seem pretty good…and those Dyson air multipliers are effective (and have the added bonus of looking really really cool – downside of being about 45 times more expensive than a standard pedestal fan)

Good luck surviving the heat 🙂

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