F.A.Q (Frequently Asked Questions)
This is where you'll find the answers to the most "Frequently Asked Questions" about ceiling fans. If you have a question that's not answered here, e-mail us and you may see your question added to the list.
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What are the primary differences between Regency ceiling fans and ceiling fans that cost less?
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Motor
The motor is the heart of a fan, and they come in all sizes. Motor sizes are identified by the diameter and height of the motor. Quality motors like the ones Regency uses will usually have electrical ratings of 1 amp or less and can deliver all the power needed, because quality materials like high grade copper wire, precision bearings, and dynamically balanced aluminum rotors are used. Lesser motors may have electrical ratings of up to 3 amps or more, but they are only using more electricity to do the same job.
Air Movement
The pitch of the fan blades (in degrees from horizontal) determines how much air is blown as the blades move through the air. Optimum pitch is between 13 and 16 degrees and strikes the best balance for air movement and efficient motor design. The motor and blade pitch for each Regency fan is specifically designed to achieve the greatest air movement with the highest efficiency. Lesser fans may get by using inferior motors and often only 10 or less degrees of pitch. The result is a lot of spinning blades, but not much air movement and a lot of wasted electricity.
Quietness
Regency’s fans are designed to be as quiet as possible. There are three primary components that affect the quietness of a fan – bearings, speed control and vibration isolators. Regency uses only double-sealed and lubricated-for-life high grade steel bearings. Capacitors control the speed of the fan and Regency uses a separate one for each speed – three in every three-speed fan. All ceiling fan motors vibrate, but a quality fan’s small motor vibrations will be damped out by the generous use of gaskets and washers throughout. Regency only uses rubber hang bracket isolators, motor gaskets, and blade screw washers to ensure quiet operation.
Alignment
Ceiling fans can wobble for a variety of reasons. The lack of precision of the blade arms (sometimes called blade irons or brackets) and the misalignment of the blades as they move through the air are the main causes of wobble. Regency uses only matched sets of die cast zinc or steel blade arms on every fan. They are measured to the exact same pitch and balance and have large mounting screws with lock washer to ensure proper alignment with the motor.
Blades
Quality blades are laminated wood construction (like plywood) and are covered with sealing stains of poly coatings to keep out moisture and resist warping that, over time, would change their alignment and cause the fan to wobble. The best wood blades feature real wood veneers and low or high gloss protective coatings. Regency wood blades are computer balanced to within 1 gram of each other and packaged into matched sets for all fans.
Installation
Proper installation is essential to ensure a quiet, smooth running ceiling fan. Regency has built features into the design of our fans that will make the installation easy and ensure that everything fits tightly together, stays in alignment and operates silently and wobble-free. |
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Where can I buy a Regency Fan?
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Excellent question! Just click
here and we'll see that you get the latest Regency catalog along with
the name of your nearest Regency Ceiling Fan specialist. |
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Can I use a ceiling fan outside?
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You can use a ceiling fan anywhere you have a ceiling.
Covered decks, porches and gazebos make great spots for a fan. The gentle
breeze from a ceiling fan makes outdoor areas more comfortable when it's hot.
And, insects can't fly in a down draft, making fans perfect for a mosquito
free evening of outdoor entertaining.
Two things to keep in mind: one is that Underwriter's
Laboratory lists fans for outdoor use. They have two types of listings: "damp
location" and "wet location". Damp location is suitable for
most outdoor uses while wet location is intended for more severe situations.
Regency offers both 30", 42", and 52" wet location fans.
The other thing to consider is that either of the UL
designations applies to the electrical function of the fan. A UL listing doesn't
mean that the fan won't show the effects of being outside over an extended
period of time, especially if you live near the ocean. Sun, pollution and
salt air will cause even the best finishes to change color over time. |
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I've looked at fans and it seems
like they're all polished brass with oak blades. What gives?
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Many manufacturers pack their fans with the motor and
blades in one box. That means dealers have limited choices of what they can
stock in their stores. Because it costs so much to carry inventory, many dealers
will offer only the most popular colors and styles. That means you don't get
much of a selection.
At Regency, we package our most popular models with
the motor in one box and the blades in another. That means that your dealer
can offer you a variety of motor and blade finishes without a huge investment
in inventory. If you like polished brass but don't care for the oak blades
that most manufactures pack with that motor finish, that's fine. You can choose
from twenty-five different blade finishes in the 52" size alone. And,
each Regency motor can accommodate at least three different blade lengths. |
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My ceiling isn't flat. Can I still
use a fan?
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Regency's standard multi-mount system can be used on
ceilings with a slope of up to 30 degrees. For steeper pitches, we offer an
optional "sloped ceiling" adapter that will allow you to hang your
fan at any angle up to 48 degrees. |
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I have a very high ceiling. How do I install a fan?
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As a rule of thumb, fans should be hung from eight to ten feet above the floor. Extended downrods are available in lengths from one foot to six feet. So, if your ceiling is sixteen feet, by using a five foot down rod (plus the depth of the fan, which is usually about ten inches), your blades will be almost six feet from the ceiling or ten feet above the floor.
For higher ceilings, a larger fan, such as the Regency
Marquis MX with 60" blades can be hung more than ten feet above the floor and still do an excellent job. You can also make a downrod longer than six feet by using a standard 1/2" water pipe painted to match the fan.
By the way, if you have an open staircase or balcony
adjoining the room with the fan, Regency's exclusive collar cover hides the mounting hardware on top of the fan making it look just as nice from above as it does from below. |
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