Do I have to take the fan down in the winter (living in North West Ohio) - or just take the blades off or do nothing at all?
1955858
I don't touch mine and they work fine. They've been up for several years now. This is the reason I purchased these higher priced fans. The blades are plastic but don't look like it and the fan is made to stand up to the weather. Mine go through rain, snow, and extreme heat.
2271181
My fan is installed in a covered area of my deck. It is open on two sides and overlooks Lake Martin. We had a previous Hunter out door fan there for fourteen years with no problems. It was not a cast iron Origional and it had become rusty but was still running.
733969
we take ours down during the winter. Never see any around. I honestly forget!!
304419
My original fan is still working even though it is beat up looking. The second ones battery died right away and the blade did not slide up or down easy. I still keep one in my purse because I get faint if I get too hot in the Florida sun. I think it just depends on if you get a good one or a lemon. Sorry I could not be more help.
1017109
I don't know... but a thin layer of dust has proven to slow or stop the fan from working. We need to keep it very clean for efficient use. Also, the higher the temperature differential between the base and blades the better so painted black might reduce efficiency... just my thoughts tho...
684529
Oh yes, and easily. You just pull of the front screen and wipe down the blades. I double love this fan. (If you have any trouble removing the screen face the fan toward yourself securely and squeeze on opposite edges. It'll pull right off.)
431940
I also live in the NE (MA). Although the louvers close by themselves, they are not a good seal against warm air (air that you just paid to heat) escaping. If you have the fan at a high spot in the house, the pressure will be for the air to force its way out throught this loosely sealed, and un-insulated opening. It is unlikely that cold air will come down, but you will lose significant heat through this opening. The cold air will be drawn in elsewhere in your house to replace the air that you are losing here. So, with that said, here is what I did: I built a plywood box lined with foam insulation. The open bottom rim is lined with weatherstripping. It is sized to be bigger (L X W) and a bit taller than the fan assembly. It simply sits over the fan assembly in the attic during the heating season. Also, I made a "cap" of plywood, thin insulation, and weatherstripping that is held against the louvers on the living side of the fan assembly by straps that go around the fan support struts (they pass through, and partially hold open the louvers). Thus, the fan is sealed from both sides, and this prevents any warm air escape through the whole house fan. The bottom line here is that the real issue is to eliminate, as much as possible, any air that you have just paid to heat from passing through this loosely sealed opening in the most heat-loss-vulnerable part of your house. I don't know how this help forum works, but if there is a way, I can send you pics of what I have done if what I have given you is not clear.
950032
If the insulation is falling in on you while you are installing the fan, block it with whatever you have handy. Cardboard pieces, duct tape, whatever. Leave it once you are done. Generally there is no reason to remove it.
1585947
just use the side tension sleaves and close the window on top of the fan it's secure real tight
1806407
As long as you have a standard fan housing, it would be possible to use this fan outdoors. However, I would not recommend it since the blade material is wood and the housing is not designed for outdoor usage. This means that the blades will eventually droop and the internal components will corrode; this process will be accelerated if you live in a place with relatively high humidity.
1652528
You could do that, if you are going to go that route. ?, I would buy a quality extension cord and wire it in to the thermostat box on the fan. I put mine on a light switch so I could turn it off in the winter months.
554905
When the fan is off you simply use a damp rag. If the area you are cooling is dusty it will blow dust, but any fan would do that.
2227353
Interesting question! Although I never thought about it, the fan should definitely be safe to use around birds. There are no moving blades and the surface never gets too warm. You can stick your hand through the opening with no problems at all so I don't see an issue with birds getting close to it or flying through it.
1292420
Hi there- I just use it for the winter. I'm afraid to leave it on while I use the air conditioner.
1038688
I'm not sure, there is no way to by pass the fan blade. I think what ever gets vacuumed comes in contact the the blade. Hope this helps.
17875
I really don't know...however, I did note that having used it for the entire summer, I found the blades to be remarkably clean...if the grill does not come out, my plan is to take the fan out of the window, bring it into the yard and spray the fan blades with a water hose, let dry for a day or two before plugging it back it...good fan, worked well this past year...24/7 for a couple of months, relatively quiet . I used it on a lower speed setting...
1676562
The fan turns off with the thermostat. The last one I had lasted years mounted in the enclosed bed of my truck,running on and off through the night, keeping things from freezing during ohio's winters.