Ceiling fans for normal light fittings

B0bbyEwing

Seen these on TikTok shop. The idea of them looked decent. I didn't know they were a thing (for normal light units). As I don't buy anything from TTS I headed over to Amazon to take a look.

Something like so.

I'm pretty sure our light is a B22 but I'd need to check. Most of the ones I see on Amazon though get under 4 star reviews which is offputting. Reviews can be skewed though.

I've never actually had a bedroom fan before. I read that they're supposed to help with warm rooms. Whether that's true or not I don't know but if the price was right I was willing to try it out.

What I wasn't wanting was the need to get an electrician out to start messing about - hence looking at these that plug in to existing light units.

Any of you have these & can comment on what they're like?

Do they even make a difference for when the room is quite warm?

Noisy? Quiet? We sleep with a white noise machine on as the OH needs it so we're used to some noise. Just depends how noisy.

grumpy_codger

Do they even make a difference for when the room is quite warm?

They create some air flow, but can't make the room any cooler. Quite the opposite - they blow the hottest air from the top down.

GrubbyGirl_2

I have never seen these before but they look flimsy and I would imagine move around quite a lot which would worry me that it would eventually start degrading the fittings. I had a proper ceiling fan fitted directly above the bed to replace my light fitting. It's the best thing I ever did and works a treat. You only need it on slow while you're sleeping and it's virtually silent. It's all controlled from a remote and you can set it to go off after 1/2/4 hours or continuous and also controls the light. Personally I wouldn't go for one of those from Amazon - invest in a proper one

GrubbyGirl_2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022544#Comment_82022544

I agree it doesn't make the room cooler but ceiling fans do make you cooler. It's the same principle with the weather, while the temperature may be one thing it feels much cooler when it's windy - wind chill

Bigphil1474

OP, I saw a discussion about these on Facebook (I think). They can be fine if you have a fixed ceiling light, but dangerous if it is a pendant fitting that hangs from the ceiling (wire twisting). Tbh, they look like tat. I'd agree with above, get a proper one fitted. Not sure they are much more affective than a standing fan though. We just stick ours on top of the wardrobe, pointing down towards the bed.

chrisw

We have the fixed ones and they are a godsend, as someone said they only need to be on the slowest, virtually silent setting overnight.

Im not sure how handy you are but ours were a simple DIY swap with the existing light fitting.

FreeBear

They can be fine if you have a fixed ceiling light, but dangerous if it is a pendant fitting that hangs from the ceiling (wire twisting). Tbh, they look like tat.

Agreed, with a pendant fitting, hanging anything more than a lampshade from the lamp holder is just asking for trouble. I don't see a weight given in the specifications, so went looking for similar products over on Aliexpress. Found one that quoted 635g - Way more than I'd want to hang from a short length of wire.

Another thing to be aware of - These things do not have any EU or UK testing. Whilst they may claim CE approval, that only means Chinese Export, not any EU/UK approvals. Use at your own risk.

B0bbyEwing

Thanks for the input. Helpful. I'll be giving them a miss.

I didn't expect them to make the room cooler in the way A/C does. Right now I have a tower fan on a stool in these situations but it's quite noisy and plus when I get up to pee I need to be careful I don't stub my toe on the stool, which I do (be careful) but I still stub my toe.

Our current lightbulb hangs from a wire so sounds like it's not suited.

Our ceiling is also ancient. 1930s lath & plaster whatever you call it. You can see the ceiling, certainly not flat in parts. The window recess (off topic of lights) is actually quite dodgy I noticed this week. I can pretty much push it in. I bet I could put my finger through it with little effort.

So I wonder if putting a proper one in would even be wise with this ceiling.

I'll stick to the stool and a sore toe.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022776#Comment_82022776

If the tower fan is noisy, even on low speeds, then presumably it is a cheap one?

We have one like that from Screwfix- cost about £25 I think.

However we also have one like this

Russell Hobbs, Charcoal Grey, Pedestal Circulator Fan with Remote Control, 12 Speeds, 130° Oscillation, 12 Hour Timer, for Bedroom, Home or Office, RHPCF360 : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

At the lowest 5 speeds ( of 12) you can hardly hear anything. In fact we keep leaving it on as you can not hear its is on. Other manufacturers have similar offerings

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022776#Comment_82022776

Ceiling fans are fine on old ceilings if they’re fixed correctly, into the joist rather than the ceiling itself. You’ll usually find that if there’s one central pendant fitting in the room then that’s how it will be fixed.

The advantage in this case for ceilings in old houses is that they’re often higher than newer houses and the fan is at a safer height.

B0bbyEwing

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022808#Comment_82022808

Ours is like this one. I don't remember it costing that much. Maybe I was a bit more free with money back then, or maybe prices have just shot up. It's definitely a tower fan like that & it's that brand also.