What is a bladeless ceiling fan called?

A bladeless ceiling fan, also known as an air multiplier fan or dyson fan, is a revolutionary new type of fan that provides powerful airflow without external blades. Unlike traditional ceiling fans that use visible spinning blades to circulate air, bladeless fans use an advanced air multiplication technology that draws in and amplifies the surrounding air to create a smooth, high-velocity cooling breeze.

How Does a Bladeless Ceiling Fan Work?

The technology behind bladeless fans was originally developed by Dyson, who first introduced their Air Multiplier fans in 2009. While the airflow mechanics are complex, the basic principle is that bladeless fans use a combination of physics phenomena to induce air circulation:

• Air is drawn into the base of the fan and accelerated through a hollow opening using an electric motor that spins at very high speeds.
• As the air exits the aperture, its passes over a shaped ramp (called an inducement cone). This forces the exiting air to move much faster, multiplying its initial volume by 15-18 times.
• The cone also helps direct the airflow into a smooth, cylindrical jet stream rather than turbulent vortices.
• The high-velocity airflow exiting the ramp entrains surrounding stationary air, pulling it into the airflow through viscosity and momentum exchange. This further amplifies the volume of air moved.
• The result is a constant, high-velocity stream of air without requiring external blades.

This induced air principle allows bladeless fans to generate smooth, powerful airflow equivalent to traditional bladed fans using only a fraction of the energy. The lack of visible blades also provides a more sleek, modern look.

What Are the Benefits of Bladeless Fans?

There are several advantages that bladeless ceiling fans offer compared to their traditional counterparts:

• Safety – With no external blades, bladeless fans eliminate the safety hazards posed by spinning blades. This makes them ideal for homes with children or pets.
• Easy Cleaning – Without fan blades, there are no nooks and crannies to attract dust. Bladeless fans can simply be wiped down.
• Sleek Appearance – The streamlined, bladeless design provides a modern, minimalist look well-suited to contemporary homes.
• Energy Efficiency – Bladeless fans consume less energy than traditional bladed fans while still providing equal airflow.
• Quiet Operation – The lack of chop from spinning blades significantly reduces noise.
• Airflow Flexibility – Bladeless fans offer more directions and patterns for airflow than bladed fans.

What Are the Drawbacks of Bladeless Fans?

Despite their many benefits, bladeless ceiling fans also come with a few potential downsides:

• Higher Upfront Cost – Bladeless fans are more expensive than comparable bladed fans, sometimes 2-3 times higher.
• Limited Size Options – Bladeless fans only come in smaller sizes meant for personal or desk use. Larger sizes equivalent to traditional ceiling fans are not yet available.
• Noisy Airflow – While mechanically quieter, some users find the powerful whooshing airflow noisy.
• Limited Brand Availability – Currently only Dyson and a handful of other brands offer bladeless fan models.

Popular Brands of Bladeless Fans

While several companies now offer bladeless fan models, the most popular and well-known brand is Dyson:

• Dyson – The original inventor and manufacturer of bladeless fan technology. Dyson offers a wide range of bladeless fans for home and office use including tower fans, desk fans, and fans mounted on wheeled bases.
• BlueStar – A China-based company offering bladeless fans at lower price points than Dyson.
• GreenTech Environmental – Another Chinese electronics manufacturer with several bladeless fan models.
• Coolerguys – An American retailer selling smaller bladeless USB and battery-powered fans.

While other companies offer bladeless fans, Dyson remains the most recognizable and trusted brand for this technology currently. Their fans deliver the best balance of power, features, design, and safety.

Types of Bladeless Ceiling Fans

Bladeless ceiling fans come in two main configurations:

1. Mounted Fans

These function similar to traditional ceiling fans, providing whole-room circulation. However, instead of blade motors, they use a hollow base fitted over an electromagnetically spun axis to generate airflow:

• Provide cooling for medium to large rooms up to 30 feet.
• Mount flush against ceiling like ordinary ceiling fans.
• Cost more than bladed ceiling fans, ranging $200 to $700.
• Come with remote controls allowing adjustment of fan speed and oscillation.
• Examples include the Dyson Cool AM07 and AM08, BlueStar BSF40-11WT, and GreenTech GTF40.

2. Bladeless Pendant Fans

Pendant bladeless fans hang down from the ceiling on a pole, providing personal cooling:

• Designed for only small, localized airflow of 100-150 sq. ft.
• Suspend on cables or poles 8-18 feet long from the ceiling.
• Usually smaller in size and lower cost from $100 to $300.
• Allow directional control of the airflow.
• Examples include the Dyson TP01 13″ Pendant Fan and the BlueStar BSF16-11W.

How Much Do Bladeless Fans Cost?

Bladeless ceiling fans have a wider range of prices depending on size, design, features, and brand:

• Small desktop bladeless fans under 12 inches cost $50 to $150.
• Full-size tower bladeless fans from top brands like Dyson range from $300 to $600.
• Mounted bladeless ceiling fans typically cost $200 to $700 depending on size and features.
• Pendant bladeless ceiling fans cost $100 to $300 depending on length and airflow power.

In comparison, traditional ceiling fans with blades can be found for $50 to $300 depending on size, style, blade design, and features. So bladeless fans come at a premium, but provide benefits like improved safety, less maintenance, and more modern visual appeal.

How to Choose the Best Bladeless Ceiling Fan

When selecting a bladeless ceiling fan, consider these key factors:

• Room Size – Pick a fan with higher airflow power rated in CFM for larger rooms.
• Mounting – Choose between mounted or pendant configurations based on room layout.
• Noise Level – Ensure the decibel level meets your needs.
• Control Features – Many include remotes and voice control for convenient use.
• Special Features – Some models offer lights, air purifiers, heaters, and other options.
• Brand Reputation – Stick with established brands like Dyson or BlueStar for best quality.

Evaluating these criteria will help identify the ideal bladeless ceiling fan for your space and needs.

Conclusion

Bladeless ceiling fans utilize revolutionary airfoil technology to provide powerful, comfortable cooling airflow without dangerous external blades. While more expensive than traditional bladed fans, they offer notable benefits like improved safety, easier cleaning, flexible airflow options, and contemporary design. Top brands like Dyson and BlueStar offer both mounted and pendant bladeless fans to suit different rooms and interior styles. Considering factors like size, features, noise, and brand will help find the perfect bladeless ceiling fan model to keep your home breezy and stylish.