‘Cooool your jets” could be the hot saying this summer with the introduction of innovative bladeless fans.
Called "air multipliers," the new technology provides maximum air flow without any of the maintenance and safety concerns of conventional portable fans.
You may have already seen the futuristic gadgets on display in stores such as Sears, The Bay and Future Shop and thought, "What in the world is that?" They were invented by James Dyson, the British engineer-turned-inventor known for his popular bagless vacuum cleaners, who based his unique fans on jet-engine technology.
Unlike traditional fans that chop the air, his bladeless fans draw air in at the base and push it -- amplified up to 18 times -- through an opening in the loop to create a constant flow.
"It has the ability to draw in surrounding air around the fan and then can push it out using really high technology, similar to what you see in, say, a jet engine," says Elliott Chun, communications manager at Future Shop, where the new fans have been available since March.
The Dyson desk fan can keep the temperature comfortable in the office, or set on the kitchen counter, it provides a cool breeze to prevent the cook from overheating while preparing dinner.
The pedestal and tower versions sit higher and cover a broader area, making them ideal cooling solutions for condo or apartment living, especially when the budget won't allow for central air or ceiling fans.
Elliott says the new technology is less noisy than conventional fans and is safer for young children and pets.
"Safety is also a big component to this fan," he says. "If the fan is running and you put your hand toward it, or you've got a pet who comes up to it or a toddler comes up to it, there's no blade there" to hurt them.
They also don't collect dust bunnies like their traditional counterparts and can be cleaned with a quick wipe of a damp cloth, he says.
However, if you prefer the classic sound of whirring blades pushing out cool air on hot summer nights, not to mention the lower price (the air multipliers average between $380 and $550), most department and home-improvement stores still carry a variety of old-fashioned fans.
They range from stationary tabletop models and large, oscillating wind blowers on adjustable stands to slim, space-saving towers that blast air out from all four sides. Available in plastic or metal finishes, prices start as low as $15.
-- Postmedia News Service
