How does the Minka Aire Cristafano in Belcaro Walnut Compare to the Average Ceiling Fan?

Note The Editor's Review is based on the latest product specifications and performance data we have in our database directly from the manufacturer. We take this information and convert it into laymans terms to give you an idea of what you can expect from the fan. Actual performance may vary depending on the circumstances of your application such as room size, ceiling height, blade selection and climate.

Quality Rating = 4.000000 (average is 3)
A Quality Rating of 4 is above average, the Minka Aire Cristafano in Belcaro Walnut ceiling fan will run smooth and quiet and will give you many years of operation with no worries of the motor burning out.

Wind Speed Factor: 2.84 MPH (average is about 3)
A Wind Speed Factor of 2.84 MPH gives this fan a Breeze Rating of 3 out of 5. This is rather average when it comes to ceiling fans, so you will feel some cooling breeze, but don't expect the Cristafano to blow your socks off. Keep in mind that fans with a large blade span like this one may move lots of air when it comes to CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), but the airflow is spread over a larger area, so the actual concentration of the airflow (wind speed) is usually less than that of normal size fans. For the best wind-chill effect in larger rooms you may want to consider two or more smaller fans (50" to 56") that have a significantly higher wind speed factor. However, if you can only install a single fan, a larger fan like this may be a reasonable compromise. Just don't expect to feel as much breeze as the abnormally high CFM rating leads you to believe. Aside from Quality, which accounts for smooth quiet operation and durability, the amount of wind-chill a fan can provide to cool you off is the most important consideration.

Airflow = 7885 CFM (average is about 5,000)
7885 CFM is a lot of airflow and is far above average, which is very good news if you want a ceiling fan that can really cool you off. The 2.84 MPH wind speed is a little lower than you might expect with such a high airflow. The wind speed tells you how much breeze you can expect to feel when you are beneath the fan. Due to the blade span of this fan, the actual concentration of airflow is spread over a larger area, so the ultimate cooling effect is a little less than some fans with smaller blade spans. This is a compromise that you may be willing to accept if the actual area where you spend your time is further away from the center of the fan, which is why you may consider a larger fan such as this one. In this case the Minka Aire Cristafano in Belcaro Walnut will allow you to raise your thermostat by 1 or 2 degrees, which will still help you save additional money on your cooling bills (if you have AC).

Efficiency Rating = 84 CFM/Watt (average is about 86)
An Efficiency Rating of 84 is fairly average. Efficiency is defined by the EPA as the amount of airflow a fan produces (CFM) divided by the amount of electricity (Watts) it uses on high speed without any lights on. Efficiency is less important than Airflow because more CFMs allow you to raise your thermostat higher...which is where you will save the most energy. Efficiency becomes more important if you expect to operate several ceiling fans at the same time. (see calculator below)

Electrical Usage = 94 Watts (average is about 76)
94 Watts per hour is higher than average, so the Minka Aire Cristafano in Belcaro Walnut costs a little more to operate than other fans. Use the calculator below to estimate just how much it will cost to operate this fan in "Your home".

Wind Speed Factor -vs- Efficiency: Wind Speed is KING! Ceiling fans can save you a lot on your energy bills if you use them properly to reduce your use of central air. Ceiling fans cool you off by creating a wind-chill effect, so the more wind speed a fan generates, the cooler it will make you feel. The cooler your ceiling fan can make you feel, the higher you can raise your AC thermostat to conserve energy without sacrificing your level of comfort. Raising your thermostat by 10 degrees can save you up to 40% on your cooling bills, but you cannot raise your thermostat by 10 degrees if you focus only on ceiling fans that use less energy rather than ones that generate higher wind speed. To put this in perspective: A typical central air system uses about 3500 Watts when it is running, so if a ceiling fan that uses 100 watts allows you to raise your thermostat a couple degrees higher than a more "efficient" fan that uses only 50 watts, the savings you will get by raising your AC thermostat a couple degrees higher is far more than the difference of 50 watts between the two fans. With that said, a ceiling fan that uses less watts yet produces higher wind speed is a win-win.