Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Feb 13, 2009 08:44pm | #1

   I have six Hampton Bay fans from Home Depot in our bedrooms, living room, and family room. I had a Hunter in the family room for ~15 years and replaced it last year because it's "style" didn't work with the update we did in there. I also have an el cheapo ($15) fan in my garage shop. Except for the garage fan, they all have light kits and remote controls.

   I run most of my fans 24/7/365. They're reversed (blowing up) and run on slow speed all winter. Every spring, they get cleaned and reversed to blow downward for the summer.

   For a couple of years before I replaced it, the Hunter made a slight humming noise when on high speed. None of the fans make any noticeable noise except for some minor blade noise when running on high.

   I can recommend Hampton Bay or Hunter.

1. 
   BillA | Feb 14, 2009 01:14am | #2

   thanks. what was price range you bought?

1. 
   Dave45 | Feb 14, 2009 02:07am | #4

   IIRC, they were all ~$100 - 125. Some of them were bought several years ago.

2. 
   seeyou | Feb 14, 2009 01:14am | #3

   Often, a lot of the noise is created by the light fixture. Also, balancing the blades will reduce wobble, which will reduce noise. Weigh the blades with a postal scale and add duct tape or similar to the top sides of light blades to get them all the same weight.

   http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

3. 
   Southbay | Feb 14, 2009 03:18am | #5

   Hunter Original. Cast iron 50 pound unit runs in an oil bath bearing. You add oil. Has a large rubber mounting grommet that allows the fan to swivel a bit.

   Lag bolted it thru a metal j-box into a 4x4 screwed between the ceiling joists. Did not have to balance the blades with the supplied weights. Quiet as a mouse.

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Feb 14, 2009 03:24am | #6

   do you have a source? - they seem hard to find - I have two, would like another - "there's enough for everyone"

1. 
   Southbay | Feb 14, 2009 07:28pm | #9

   I think I got it 10 years ago at Home Depot. Check the Hunter website. I do believe the Home Depot Expo stores carried them more recently.
   And the Expos are closing, with everything On Sale

1. 
   BillA | Feb 15, 2009 05:32am | #10

   thanks for all the advice. am going shopping tomorrow....

2. 
   ponytl | Feb 19, 2009 07:24am | #13

   they use to be made in memphis...  on any given day i could get 8-10 of em out of their dumpster...  everyone i knew got fans... cast iron... with solid brass face plates if they wanted..... big huge wound motors....

   I don't know if they still make them like that or not...   if so i'm sure it's in mexico...

   p

4. 
   JeffBuck | Feb 14, 2009 09:06am | #7

   hunter.

   hunter original are the best.

    

   tried hampton when we redid the bedroom. Old house, uneven plaster, old K and T wiring ... of course ... short leads ... and no blocking.

   took about 3 hrs to get it mounted ... turned it on ...

   called for the wife to come up and confirm ...

   Yup. Going back.

   too noisy on high ... too noisy on medium too.

   couldn't sleep under it.

    

   tore it all apart ... took it back ... came home with another hunter.

   was really glad I tried to save $50.

    

   customers can pick what ever they want ... I only recommend hunter.

   hampton does have alot more styles to choose from.

   but at night ... pitch dark ... I don't wanna hear the stylish fan.

    

   btw ... 4 blades move more air than 5.

   Jeff

       Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

5. 
   Jer | Feb 14, 2009 03:18pm | #8

   Jeff Beat me to it. When I saw the title of the post I thought of only one fan, The Hunter Original. I have one in my new addition which is the master bedroom suite and cannot say enough about it. The written testimonials will tell you that there are Originals that have been operating for 80+ years and they are still going strong.

   They are very heavy (cast iron housing), and super quiet.

6. 
   rasconc | Feb 15, 2009 07:23am | #11

   I used to swear by Hunter fans, more recently I have sworn at them.  I am sure their high end ones are probably fine but they have cheapened down a bunch.  I have seen many designs that require you to remove a light fixture to tighten blade iron screws.  Way too many screws  to assemble, and other issues. 

   I have grown to like the Hampton Bay line at HD with their quick install feature.  Light fixture already installed, blade irons already installed, blades clip on with a keyhole slot and locking clip.  Globes have spring fingers to hold them to fixture, no screws.  Probably not the best if you are charging by the hour though (;-)

   All that said the Hunter Original is still King IMHO. 

   Bob

   For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
1. 
   barmil | Feb 19, 2009 06:40am | #12

   DO NOT buy a Hunter remote control for your fan. Seems they get confused by other wireless signals in the area (garage door openers, etc,), and when you ask Hunter about it they just shrug their shoulders. Otherwise, I like their fans. My favorites, though, were Casablancas I bought in Hawaii (nostalgia over not still living there?), but I can't afford them now, and they're very heavy for my particular ceilings.

7. 
   Tim | Feb 19, 2009 09:31pm | #14

   I've had a lot of the presently readily available CFs (Hunter, Hampton Bay and the like), but not the old classic hunter. With that exception, the best residential ceiling fan I have ever seen or owned is Casablanca. Expensive, but comes with a lifetime guarantee.

8. 
   Clewless1 | Feb 19, 2009 09:45pm | #15

   I have a Hunter I bought at Lowe's I think and it is quiet as a mouse.

1. 
   barmil | Feb 22, 2009 12:07am | #16

   I think I read once somewhere that there are two approaches to ceiling fan motors. In one, the motor is static (the stator) and a shaft (rotor) in the motor turns the blades. What we would consider to be a conventional electric motor. In the other, the motor itself turns with the blade around a shaft. The latter is the cheaper to produce approach, particularly in a smaller size. Most fans in big box stores are of the latter design, and I would guess that the weight of spinning the motor must eventually wear on its bearings, leading to noise. This could also be a factor in blade wobble, I'd think. My Hawaiian Casablancas, mentioned earlier, were of the former type, as is the Hunter Original. They weigh more, cost more initially, but probably prove the true bargain in the long run. Once I get my promised mortgage bailout, I may buy one or two of them to replace my cheap Hunters with the spinning motors.

9. 
   JTC1 | Feb 22, 2009 01:57am | #17

   I like and use Hunter fans - have always been quiet for me.  Hunter Original Cast Iron model with the oiled bearing is quieter still - as long as you keep it oiled. I think the sound difference is caused by the sheer mass of the cast iron housing.

   Some of my "uppity" customers insist on Casablanca - I just say -"OK" - it's their nickel.

   I bought a Casablanca for my own house - could not tell the difference between my Hunters and the Casablanca, except I could buy about 3 Hunter fans for the price of one Casablanca.

   My experience says #1 cause of a noisy older fan = loose blade(s). If the fan has been quiet for years then gets progressively noisier - check blade screws before tearing it out.

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
10. 
    Pelipeth | Feb 22, 2009 03:45am | #18

    When you do choose a fan, pls. don't get one with multiple lights, it'll keep the world a prettier place. IMO.