New fan technology makes it hip to stay cool

James Dyson has done it again.

The Englishman who reinvented the vacuum cleaner—and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his efforts—has turned his design sensibility to household fans. The result is the Dyson Air Multiplier (DAM), a sleek appliance that not only outperforms any other fan you could buy, but looks like modern sculpture in the corner of your condo.

The most striking feature of the DAM is its lack of blades. The spinning propeller is ancient history when it comes to moving air. Dyson’s approach uses the same kind of technologies as jet engines—including an airfoil—to create a brisk breeze.

No blades means that the fan is safe for those in tight spaces or with small children. No blades means the fan is easier to clean.

And no blades means that there is no percussive “whoosh, whoosh” sound from the fan, just a nice gentle, consistent hum. Finally, an end to my waking up in the middle of the night from dreams of helicopters flying through my house.

Designed with the heavy motors in the base of the unit, the DAM has a low centre of gravity, too, so it’s nice and stable. And the fans can be tilted with only a touch. They all oscillate, and the two floor models come with remote controls that are magnetized so they can be stored right on the unit.

The DAM is available in four configurations. The tabletop model is available with 10-inch ($379.99) and 12-inch ($399.99) hoops. The two floor models are both priced at $549.99; one has a circled hoop, the other resembles a needle’s eyelet. All come with a two-year warranty and are available directly from Dyson.

The prices might seem high, but as an owner of a Dyson Ball vacuum cleaner and having had a chance to test drive a Dyson Air Multiplier, I think these appliances are worth it.

The weather in Vancouver hasn’t required much additional cooling this spring, but the heat of the summer is coming. With a DAM in my house, though, I don’t care how hot it gets.