Phone: 1-888-830-1326
Monday – Friday 7am – 7pm CST
Saturday 8am – 5pm CST

Toll-Free Canada Number: 1-866-268-1936
Address:
Hunter Fan Company
7130 Goodlett Farms Parkway, Suite 400
Memphis, TN 38016

Ceiling Fans | Air Purifiers | Humidifiers | Thermostats

Ceiling Fans FAQ

How much air do ceiling fans move? Can you compare Hunter versus non-Hunter?
Ceiling fan air movement is measured in CFM, or cubic feet per minute. The greater the CFM, the more air that is being moved. The air moved by the fan creates a wind chill effect that makes you feel more comfortable in a warm room. There is a direct relationship between air movement and comfort - the more air moved, the greater the wind chill effect. Hunter fans generally move more air than competitive models because of custom-engineered motors and blades pitched at the maximum possible angle.

What is the difference between a four and five blade ceiling fan?
The main difference between a 4-blade and 5-blade fan is aesthetics, with some additional wind noise associated with 5-blade fans. For a given motor, a 4-blade fan will move more air than a 5-blade fan. The 5th blade puts additional drag on the motor, slowing down the RPM of the blades, which decreases the CFM. All Hunter fans, whether 4 or 5 blades, are designed for optimal air delivery

How do I know what size fan to purchase - there are so many sizes available? You need to choose the right size fan for a room to get optimum comfort and energy savings. If the fan is too small for the room, it will not move enough air to make you feel comfortable. If the fan is too big, it could move too much air. Hunter recommends the following:
For Rooms Up To: Fan Blade Span:
100 sq. ft. 36"
144 sq. ft. 42"
225 sq. ft. 44" or 48"
400 sq. ft. 52" or 54"
485 sq. ft. 56"
625 sq. ft. 60"

Why do some fans require oil and others do not?
The Hunter Original® has a very unique motor that uses an oil-bath lubrication system. This system keeps the main bearings lubricated at all times, for quiet operation and long-life. It is part of the reason why this fan has a limited lifetime motor warranty. Most other fans use motors that do not require oil.

What makes the Hunter Original® so unique in the market compared to all other fans?
 The Hunter Original® is the most unique ceiling fan on the market, with a design that dates back to the turn of the 20th century. Cast iron is used in the motor housing construction to more effectively draw heat away from the electrical windings; heat is a major enemy of electrical motors. The extra weight of the cast-iron construction also reduces the potential for fan wobble. The motor is also larger than any other ceiling fan, making it the most powerful motor available. This allows the blades to be pitched at a 15 degree angle, which produces greater air movement with less noise. The oil-bath lubrication system protects the major moving components of the motor, and prolongs the life of the motor. Added up, these unique design elements produce a powerful, quiet fan that is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

How do fans cool the room - do they actually lower the temperature?
A ceiling fan cools by creating a wind chill effect; it does not lower the room temperature. Wind chill effect makes you feel cooler by accelerating the evaporation of perspiration on your skin. It is the feeling you get when you open the window in a moving car. If you have a ceiling fan in a room whose temperature is 80 degrees, running the fan can create a wind chill effect that makes you feel as if the temperature is 72 degrees. When used in conjunction with an air conditioner, a ceiling fan can lower energy costs, because you can set the thermostat of your air conditioner at a higher temperature.

Can the fan be used in the winter for any beneficial purpose?
A ceiling fan can help lower energy consumption in the winter by up to 15%. The temperature of the air in a heated room varies in layers; the air near the ceiling is warmer than the air near the floor, because warm air rises. A ceiling fan can help push the warmer air that is trapped near the ceiling back down into the room, thus de-stratifying the layers of warm air. As a result, the warm air is circulated where it is needed, and the heating system does not overwork to warm the room. To properly de-stratify a warmed room, the ceiling fan should be run in a clockwise direction. This pushes the air up against the ceilings and down the walls, to gently re-circulate the warm air without creating a cooling wind chill effect.

How much electricity will a fan draw?
On average, a ceiling fan run on high speed will consume less power than a 100-watt light bulb.

How much can I expect to save in heating/cooling costs?
A ceiling fan can save up to 47% on cooling costs, and up to 15% on heating costs. Savings will vary depending on local climate conditions and energy rates.

How easy is a ceiling fan to install - is it a project I can do myself or does it require a certified technician?
Installing a ceiling fan is a Do-It-Yourself project. You will need to be able to:

What is covered by the fan warranty - how does the Hunter warranty compare to other fan company warranties? Most fan warranties are limited warranties that cover the motor parts for the stated life of the warranty; that is, a 20-year warranty will cover the motor parts for 20 years. Labor for the motor is generally covered for 1-year, as are parts and labor for all other components of the fan. All Hunter fans are backed by a “limited lifetime motor warranty.” Most importantly, Hunter is the only fan company with over 115 years of experience behind its warranties.

Can my fan be adjusted by remote control?
Most ceiling fans can be adjusted with an accessory remote control sold separately from the fan. In fact, remote controls can really enhance the performance and operating flexibility of ceiling fans since many include one-touch multiple speed settings, instant fan "off" operation, and full range light dimming -- all possible from the comfort of your favorite chair or bedside table. Ceiling fan and light remote controls can easily be installed either with the fan during new installations or on fans which have been previously installed and in use for some time. The installation is an easy, do-it-yourself project and does not require any professional wiring. Remote control kits include a handheld transmitter for sending commands to the fan and a receiver which either conceals inside the fan canopy or mounts just beneath the ceiling. Remote controls can operate the fan or light reliably up to 40 feet away from the fan.

Can ceiling fans be mounted on angled or vaulted ceilings? Yes, ceiling fans can be installed on angled or vaulted ceilings by using a fan canopy (the "cap" visible closest to the ceiling which covers the electrical box) which has been designed to accommodate sloped ceilings. Many quality fans will include this type of adjustable canopy, like Hunter's Installer's Choice® and HandsFree™ Canopy systems, but if not included with the fan at original purchase, accessory canopy adapters are sold separately at retail outlets.

What length downrod should I use with my fan?Will the fan be more prone to wobble if I use a downrod?
A general formula for calculating downrod length is: ceiling height in feet minus 9' = downrod length. This formula is based on the fan-to-floor distance of 8 feet plus 1 foot for the dimension of the fan. So if your ceiling height is 12 feet, you need a 3 foot downrod in order to properly position the fan 8 feet from the floor. Using long-length downrods for fan installations actually help stabilize fans and reduce the potential for wobble. Think of a grandfather clock pendulum and its slow, heavy swing versus a smaller clock pendulum with a fast, unsteady swing. Weight and length combine to create stability, reducing wobble, whether it is in a ceiling fan or a clock pendulum.

Why does my fan “hum” when I installed a variable speed (solid state) control?
Most quality ceiling fans are operated by a certain type of electrical control system called capacitors. Capacitor electronics in ceiling fans create distinct speed "steps" like high, medium, and low. Capacitors control the fan speed in a way that does not produce a hum. Variable fan speed controls, which create a speed control "range" from low to high, are operated by solid state electronics. Variable controls can create a hum because they control the fan's speed in a different manner. For quiet fan operation, capacitor type fan controls are recommended for most ceiling fan installations.

Can a ceiling fan and a light kit be controlled from the same wall switch?
The answer here depends on how your wall switch is currently wired. If you have a single wall switch with two wires (one black, one white), the answer is "no" unless you purchase a control specifically designed for this type of switch (Hunter offers three models). The answer is "yes" if you have a three wire set-up in the single wall switch and purchase a more common, dual control that will operate a fan and light separately from a single switch. Having an electrician install a third wire can be expensive.

What is the difference in having a ceiling fan installed close to the ceiling versus on a downrod - I have seen both ways.
For maximum performance and greatest energy savings, ceiling fans should be installed approximately 8 to 9 feet above the floor. Extension downrods are used to properly position fans from ceiling heights greater than 8 feet. For example, a 12 foot ceiling would need a 3 foot downrod to position the fan at 8 feet (one foot must be allowed for the distance from the top of the fan motor to the switch housing bottom).

Air Purifiers FAQ

How do I select the right size air purifier for my needs?
CADR ratings should be used when selecting your air purifier. These are scores from independent laboratory testing which simulates real world conditions. The higher the score, the better the unit cleans a room. Hunter model CADR scores and room size guidelines are featured in the air purifier feature comparison page.

How is performance or effectiveness rated on air purifiers?
The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) score gives the consumer the best indication of performance. The real world testing which leads to these scores is approved by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute). The testing has also been recognized by the FTC as the only valid comparison of performance for room air purifiers. The testing involves filling a room with particles and testing how quickly an air purifier will clean the air in the room. There are three tests, using smoke, dust and pollen because each has different properties. Smoke is considered the hardest to clean, and is, therefore, used to establish how large a room a tested unit will clean.

How will I know that the air purifier is actually cleaning effectively? Will the air smell different?
Often you do not realize how well your air purifier is working until you change the filter and find how filthy it is. Even then, you cannot see the microscopic particles that the filter catches. Some signs that it is working include:

Will air purifiers remove carbon monoxide or radon if present in a room or house?
The typical room air purifier can remove only particles, not gases. Only extremely expensive, industrial type systems can capture these gases effectively.

Is a filter included with the air purifier when I initially purchase the unit and how long will a filter last?
All models are shipped with filters. The first filter will typically last from three to six months under continuous use, but it depends upon how "dirty" the environment is and how often the air purifier is used. For example, if your new Hunter unit is a replacement for another unit, then the room is probably cleaner than most. However, if you are putting it in a room that has never had an air purifier, then the first filter will need changing sooner.

Can the filters be manually washed or recycled in any way or do I have to purchase entirely new filters?
Most air purifiers use disposable filters. Hunter units use a combination filter, which is designed to be easily replaced. The top-of-the-line Hunter models have pre-filters to catch the larger particles. This pre-filter can be washed with a hose and used again once it has had time to dry.

How do I know when to replace my filter?
Hunter models come with either a "check filter light" or a "filter chart" to help you understand when to change the filter. The light comes on after 1,000 hours of use, which is the average time for needing to change the filter. The chart is color-coded to give you an indication of how "dirty" the filter is.

Can I program my air purifier to come on/shut off at certain times?
Hunter has several models with an auto shutoff feature. This allows you to set the unit to run for 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours before shutting itself off.

What is an ionizer and what is its function on the air purifier?
An ionizer attaches an electrical charge to the air that passes through the air purifier. This charge (typically a negative charge) then attracts positively charged particles that are floating in the air. This "weighs down" the particles so that they sink out of the air. These work best when used with other filtration methods that collect the majority of particles on a disposable filter.

Do all air purifiers have ionizers included?
No. Many air purifiers rely only on a mechanical filter and miss the particles that are not drawn into the unit.

Humidifiers FAQ

What is a humidistat and what is its function on the humidifier?
A humidistat is a device that monitors the humidity in the room and automatically turns on or off the humidifier to achieve the desired humidity level. This function on the humidifier keeps it from putting too much water into the air.

Do all humidifiers have humidistats?
No. Many humidifiers simply run until you turn them off. This can create an environment where the air has too much humidity, which can lead to various problems.

Why are Hunter humidifiers called "Care-FreeTM Humidifiers"?
Hunter has designed a number of patented features into their humidifiers which prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi on the plastic parts and wicks.*

Why are Hunter humidifiers low maintenance?
The use of bacteriostat liquids and demineralizers, often needed to keep other humidifiers clean and operating efficiently, to protect key internal parts are not required*. In addition, the Care-Free™ Humidifier Plus permanent wick never needs replacement, saving both time and money.

What is the Regulated Release™ System?
Hunter has designed the humidifiers to only allow the optimal amount of water out of the tank and into the reservoir. This design eliminates stagnant water while preventing the build up of mineral residue that can clog the filter and impede performance.

Thermostats FAQ

How do I know which thermostat is right for my heating/cooling system?
There are a wide variety of heating and cooling systems and no single thermostat will work with all of them. In order to choose the right thermostat, you must know the following:

What are the average energy savings I can expect in summer and winter?
Energy savings depend upon how a programmable thermostat is set. The savings can run as high as 33% of overall energy costs. The savings depend on the temperature that the unit is set back to and the length of time for the "setback" periods. Obviously, a setback of 10° saves more energy than one of 5°. Similarly, a ten-hour setback period saves more than a five-hour setback. Since a programmable thermostat can be used with only a single setting like a manual thermostat, the savings can be very small, coming only from the enhanced accuracy.

Is installation difficult? Can I do it myself or does it require a professional electrician?
Installation takes the average person less than thirty minutes and does not require professional assistance. There are five simple steps:

Is any potential danger created to my unit if installation is performed incorrectly?
Normally, there is no danger for 24V or millivolt systems. However, if you are installing 24V heat pump thermostat, make sure the instructions regarding the common wire (usually blue or black) are followed carefully. Incorrectly connecting this wire may lead to damaging your 24V control transformer. The Hunter 44428 thermostat does not require a common wire, and therefore, is much easier to install than other models. Also, line voltage thermostats require greater care due to their 120V or 220V current.

What is the average life of mechanical thermostats; how does this compare with Hunter programmable thermostats?
Both Hunter mechanical and programmable thermostats are designed to give years of service. Most thermostats are replaced due to either abuse (such as knocking it off the wall by accident) or to step up to an energy-saving programmable thermostat; therefore, there is no "average life".

What does computerized compatibility mean?
Computerized compatibility means that the thermostat has been designed with a special switching circuit that makes the thermostat compatible with both new, high efficiency systems and older systems, including those systems which have millivolt controlled valves. All Hunter Just Right®, Set & $ave®, Auto Temp®, and Auto$aver™ models have this feature.

What temperature span or range is available on each programmable thermostat? Can the range be adjusted?
The Hunter line of thermostats is programmed to detect temperature from 32° to 99° Fahrenheit. Settings can be adjusted from 40° to 95°. Accuracy of the units is +/- 1°. The temperature span (on/off cycle) is factory adjusted to +/- 1°. Since it is a digital thermostat, no adjustment for anticipator is required.