Ceiling Fan : Has it become a thing of the past?

A ceiling fan makes use of hub-mounted rotating paddles for the circulation of air in order to generate a cooling effect. Most ceiling fans are equipped with a mechanism, typically an electrical switch, which helps in reversing the direction in which the blades rotate.

Different types of ceiling fans have been developed over the years owing to several factors such as increased energy-consumption and changes in styles of decoration. The rapid advancement in electronic technology has played an integral role in ceiling fan development. There are various types of ceiling fans such as Cast-iron ceiling fans, Stack-motor ceiling fans, Direct-drive ceiling fans, Spinner fans, Skeletal motors, Friction-drive ceiling fans, Gear-drive ceiling fans and Belt-driven ceiling fans. The modus operandi of a fan mainly depends on its manufacturer, style, and the period in which it was made. Some of the most important operating methods of a ceiling fan include:

Pull-chain/pull-cord control: Pull-chain/pull-cord control is the most common method of operation for household fans. This type of fan is facilitated with a metal-bead chain or cloth cord. When the chain or cloth cord is pulled, the fan cycles with a specific operational speed(s). These fans generally have three speeds; high, medium, and low, with the speed ranging from one to four.

Variable-speed control: It was in the 1970s and 1980s that fans with a variable-speed control were produced. In this method, a dial was mounted on the fan which, when rotated in either direction, led to infinite variations in the rotation speed of the blades. Some of the fans were equipped with a rotary click-type switch instead of the infinite-speed dial, thus providing a fixed number of speeds, generally five.

Wall-mounted control: Certain fans have their controls mounted on the wall. Such controls are usually termed proprietary and/or specialized switches.

Wireless remote control: Today, remote controls have turned into a cost-effective option for controlling ceiling fans. The hand-held remote sends infrared signals to a receiver unit installed in the fan, which interprets and acts on the signals. Wireless remote controls are compatible with most of the fans.

However, ceiling fans have begun losing their popularity, particularly owing to the reduced cost of new facilities such as air conditioning. Although a few companies still provide high-quality ceiling fans, most of the fans sold today are basically poorly-ventilated import motors, particle-board blades with computer-printed plastic design finish and stylized decorative motor encasement and adornments. Surprisingly, ceiling fans are manufactured by very few companies around the world. The only ceiling fan, as of 2007, manufactured in the United States is the "Gillespie" model, by Marley Engineered Products of Bennettsville, SC.