Looking for a way to beat the heat without spending a fortune on air conditioning? You might want to consider a pedestal fan.

What is a Pedestal Fan?

Pedestal fans are electric, oscillating fans with the blade or blades sitting on top of a long stand. The stands are often adjustable, and can be detached into two pieces for easier storage. They come in various heights, speeds and blade lengths, but all are freestanding. They don’t need to be propped up on a table, desk or shelf like other smaller fan options.

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Another quality choice is the Klarstein Silent Storm Pedestal Fan, which has 12 speed settings and an adjustable tilt/inclination angle. However, it costs more than twice as much as the Honeywell.

Pros and Cons of Pedestal Fans

Pedestal fans are a much cheaper option than installing a window air conditioning unit or central air. However, they do have drawbacks.

Some cheaper pedestal fan models can be noisy and don’t consistently cool the room. And while a fan will make you feel cooler, it can’t lower the temperature in the room. Fans circulate air, which increases the amount of evaporation from your skin. So if you set the fan to oscillate, you’ll only feel cooler while the fan is blowing on you.

Tower vs. Pedestal Fans

Tower fans, as the name would suggest, are taller and skinnier than pedestal fans. They’re also typically not as powerful as pedestal fans. However, tower fans are good options for smaller rooms because they’re slimmer and can fit in tight spaces.

Pedestal Installation and Maintenance

Most pedestal fans come in two parts, with the top detaching from the bottom. Installation is generally straightforward, but refer to your owner’s manual for complete instructions.

The most important part of pedestal fan maintenance is keeping the fan blades clean of dirt. Also, to avoid serious injury, always unplug the fan before cleaning. Refer to the owner’s manual for how to access the fan blades. Do not stick anything through the fan blade guard while the blades are moving.