To my surprise, the fan that arrived per my order, while having on the box a correct model number and image as on this web page, has propeller identical to less expensive Lasko brand box fans.
Lasko 20" Premium Box Fan 3-SPEED
In fact, Air King is subsidiary of Lasko, as I discovered while contacting the Air King.
In short, this fan went through a typical to current times "cost reduction reengineering" by someone who has no clue about air dynamics of propellers. As a result, the fan is noisier than before because it has to rotate faster, due to the new shape of its propeller blades, to produce a similar airflow, and is no different from all other box fans on the market, but is a twice as much expensive.
Do not waste your money. Note that I was told by customer service of the company that, from now on, this fan model will have the same propeller as supplied with Lasko brand fans. The company "didn't have a time" to replace this fan's marketing images. In addition, I found that warranty period on the fan has been reduced from 3 years to just 1 year.I ordered this fan because the blades looked a little more like the old box fans that you used to be able to get 20 years ago. Back then the blades were wider and had a steeper pitch. When they said 20" they meant the diameter of the blade, not the size of the box.
Well I was partially right. Compared to the Lasko 3733 that I own and some unknown model of a Lakewood box fan with nearly identical blades as the Lasko, it moves a little more air and is a little quieter. Noise is hard to characterize. To me the Air King is quieter because the noise it makes is at lower frequencies and is easier to ignore -It's more of a "rumble" than the "buzz" you get from the Lasko and Lakewood.
Much of Air King's slight performance advantage is because it is a bigger fan. The Box is 21" and the blades are 20". The Lasko and Lakewood have 20" boxes and the blades are 19" Is it worth twice the price as the Lasko and Lakewood? Probably not, but there isn't much choice anymore. It looks like all these fans come from the same factory.
Buy Air King 20-Inch 2,140 CFM 3-Speed Box Fan #9723 Now
This fan had only worked for one season then it sparked and I can smell smoke the next summer. I was very disappointed that it broke and almost started a fire. I bought it because it looked like the old fans. I have the Haier box fan that also looks like the old ones. This fan used to work really well but it wasn't worth it.Read Best Reviews of Air King 20-Inch 2,140 CFM 3-Speed Box Fan #9723 Here
This item is a real disappointment, at least for my application. I expected much better from the name. It simply does not move any large volume of air with its wimpy plastic blades, although it makes a lot of noise at medium and high speeds. Mine is mounted tightly in a window and is used as a whole-house exhaust fan (a standard window fan will not fit my tall, narrow, crank-open windows). This replaced a 47 year old 20" Toastmaster box fan (which finally died) which would pull the curtains well away from any open windows and created a very definite strong draft throughout my home, and was relatively quiet while doing it. Of course, it had a large-bladed metal fan. This Air King can barely rustle the curtains, creates a minor breeze, and sounds like a turboprop aircraft on a takeoff roll. I live where summers are very brief and uncomfortable heat only lasts two or three weeks so a more elaborate ventilation or cooling system is not justified. I had hoped this fan would be a good replacement for my old one but it has fallen far short and before next summer I will definitely have replaced it with something with metal blades instead of plastic. Perhaps this would be fine for just blowing air around a room but it is a real flop at being a true air mover. I contacted Air King about replacing the plastic fan with a metal one but they stated it definitely was not at all possible. Incidentally, free shipping from Amazon was very timely and I had the item via USPS in a matter of only a few days after ordering. Excellent service from Amazon.Want Air King 20-Inch 2,140 CFM 3-Speed Box Fan #9723 Discount?
Even though I purchased two of these fans a while ago, they are still working great! Much better than the Lasko's. They are more money, but sometimes itmes that cost more for one reason or another are the better bargain. The motor on this fan I find to be better because it is stronger than the Lasko's I had before. So of course I recommend this fan to others.
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