Table Fan
“A table fan is a basic need of every home, especially in summer! Cheap, portable, and instant cooling solution… but is it perfect?
It is not that table fans have no drawbacks. They are ideal for cooling small spaces, but there are some limitations to be aware of. There can be issues such as high noise, high electricity bills, or safety concerns.
In this article, we will discuss the potential drawbacks of table fans so that you can make smart decisions. Keep reading and find out – is a table fan best for you, or is there a better option available?”
If you want to know more about table fan features, types, and more, then read our [Everything You Need To Know About Perfect Table Fan]
Table of Contents
Noise Levels Can Be Disturbing
The noise of a table fan… sometimes makes it so troublesome that it becomes difficult to sleep and concentrate!
Cheap Fans = Too much noise
The quality of the motor and blades in budget fans is low, due to which at high speed, a ‘brrrr’ or ‘rattling’ sound comes. If you run it at night, you will lose sleep!
Problem for Office/Study
If you are working from home (WFH) or are busy studying, then constant fan noise can become a distraction. Some people like ‘white noise’, but too loud noise can also give a headache.
Solution?
A little expensive, but silent BLDC motor fans take it (like Orbis or Atomberg). Or else keep the speed low… but it will be less cold! 😅”
Bonus Point
“If you are a light sleeper, then try a ceiling fan instead of a table fan – it’s quieter and has better airflow!
Energy Consumption Concerns
Install a table fan, don’t get shocked by the electricity bill! 💸
Old Fans = More Current Expenses
The 10-15-year-old table fan lying in the house consumes 2- 3 times more electricity than today’s energy-efficient fans! The motor is outdated, and it lacks speed control, running at 100% power directly.
If you run it 24/7, you will incur the bill.
Whether it’s the monsoon or summer, if the fan runs non-stop (especially with old models), an extra bill for the month can also arise. Not AC, but the fan also adds a significant cost to the bill!
Solution?
Buy BLDC Motor Fans (Orbis, Atomberg) – they use 50% less electricity.
Buy a fan with a timer, at night, it should auto-off after 2-3 hours.
Do regular servicing – a dusty motor takes too much current!
Safety Hazards
Table fan looks harmless, but it can be dangerous for small children and households!
Blades Hazard
If the grill of the fan is weak or the gaps are too large, children can try to get their fingers stuck in it! Pets or birds can also get injured.
Risk of falling
Lightweight fans tilt easily, especially at high speeds. If placed on an unstable surface, it can fall and break.
Motor Overheating
The motor of cheap fans can get too hot, especially during all-night use. Sometimes, smoke or a burning smell can also come – a fire hazard!
Electric Shock
Frayed wires. If old fans with poor insulation are lost, an electric current can occur.
Safety Tips
✔️ Always buy fans with a strong metal grill
✔️ Keep them away from the reach of children
✔️ Replace overused old fans
✔️ Avoid fans with a wobbly base
Remember – do not compromise on safety in the cold! 🔌💨
Maintenance and Durability Issues
“Buying a table fan is easy, but maintaining it can be a big headache!
Enemy of dust
Every 2-3 weeks, a significant amount of dust accumulates on the blades. If you don’t clean it, there will be a squeaking sound, and less air will come out!
Plastic Body – Breaks Quickly
Cheap fans’ plastic becomes brittle in summer. One day, the whole fan will crack while moving! (And the warranty will not cover it either)
Motor Problems – Service Cycle
The motor of old fans starts working intermittently after 1-2 years. You will have to call the local mechanic!
Lubrication
The uncle at home will ask you to oil it every 6 months; otherwise, a creepy screeching sound starts!
Easy Solutions
✔️ Buy a fan with a metal body (a little expensive but long-lasting)
✔️ Clean the blades with a microfiber cloth weekly
✔️ Keep the fan covered during monsoon
✔️ Make sure to get it serviced once a year
Lack of Advanced Features
Even in 2024, there are many table fans that are stuck in the technology of the 1990s!
Remote? What is it?
I have to get up to increase the speed at night while sleeping. I feel like being jealous of people with AC!
Timer? We have manual fans.
The fan keeps running even when it overheats, because there is no auto-off option.
Smart Control? Hey brother...
About fans that connect to Google/Alexa, it seems that we are still using ‘very old fans’
Air Purification? Fan is right
New tower fans have HEPA filters, but our table fan just blows dust.
Why will you have to pay?
✔️ BLDC fans in the budget now come with a remote/timer
✔️ Next time, when buying a fan, ask about its “features” too
Just think:
“When the phone becomes smart, should the fan also be updated a little?
Not Ideal for Extreme Heat
If you use a table fan in 45°C heat, it feels like someone is making fun of the air!
It will become a 'heater of hot air'
Table fan only circulates hot air – it does not give cold air like AC. As soon as the temperature crosses 40°C, it will increase the feeling of heat along with sweating!
Double trouble with humidity
In extreme heat? By using a fan, you will get only sticky, hot air – a feeling exactly like a pressure cooker!
Direct air = skin problems
Will you use a fan on your face throughout the day? Skin will become dry, irritation in the eyes, and cold can also occur.
What to do?
✔️ Get a pedestal/tower fan (covers more area)
✔️ AC + fan combo is best (cold air will spread in the whole room)
✔️ Drinking water and cotton clothes are more important
Real Solution for Heat:
“Consider a table fan an emergency cooler, not a permanent solution. If you have the budget, then you will have to think of a desert cooler or an inverter AC!
Portability vs. Stability Trade-off
This is a big problem with table fans – the lighter it is, the easier it is to move, but it shakes a lot!”
Lightweight = Home Race Car
As soon as it gets a little loose, the fan starts rotating 360°. What cooling, what decoration – both fail!
High Speed = Earthquake Mode
If you drive it at Speed 3, it seems as if some DJ has made the fan a speaker – the whole table will be seen vibrating.
Stable Fans = Weight Lifting
The fan that doesn’t move is so heavy that you would sweat profusely while taking it from the balcony to the hall every day.
What to do?
✔️ Find a fan with rubber feet (gives a natural grip)
✔️ Keep a heavy book/mat under the fan
✔️ Also, look for wall-mounted options if you want stability
Final Tip:
“Anti-vibration fans are now available in the market – a bit expensive, but they do stop the movement!
Aesthetic and Space Constraints
You want to make a room Instagram-worthy, but that old table fan ruins the whole vibe!”
1980s Design in a House of 2024
The bright white plastic + steel grill fan does not go well with today’s minimalist decor. It seems as if you have brought it from an office!
Small Room? So the problem is big.
If you keep a table fan in an already cramped room:
Half the space of the study table is gone.
If you keep it near the bed, it will hit your feet.
If there is no space near the wall socket, the wire will spread all over the room.
Color Options? Just White or Steel
It will take 10 days to find a fan in Millennial pink or matte black, and that too at 3x the price!
Solution Time!
✔️Try sleek bladeless fans (a little expensive but space-saving)
✔️Try wall-mounted fans (saves space)
✔️Hide the fan behind a plant
Designer Tip:
“Next time, while buying a fan, think – ‘Will it show up in my #RoomTour photos?’ 😉
Conclusion & Alternatives
Seeing so many drawbacks of the table fan, it seems as if it is the most disloyal member of the house! But don’t worry – there is a solution to every problem!”
Shortcut Solution
🔹 Problem: High Electricity Bill → Solution: BLDC fan (Atomberg/Orbis)
🔹 Problem: Poor Cooling → Solution: Tower fan (better airflow)
🔹 Problem: Noise → Solution: BLDC + Silent Mode
🔹 Problem: Space Issues → Solution: Wall-mounted/Wall fan
If the Budget is Low?
Get the old table fan serviced (motor oiling, blade cleaning)
Keep a spray bottle with the fan – make it an “air cooler”!
Final Thought
“Table fan is a budget option, but if you are thinking long-term, then invest a little and find better options. We have to save ourselves from the heat, but we also have to stay smart!”
Last Line
“Now decide – do we have to tolerate the old fan or take out our wallet for a new upgrade? 😉
