<p>I’m looking for a mid-range (~$60ish?) dorm room fan for a room with no AC in NC. Are there things I should be looking for (osicillating, floor fan, ionizer?) or fans y’all have personal experience with? Thanks!</p>
<p>We bought the Bionaire ultra-slim tower fan from Costco for about $50. It is 40 inches tall, and takes up hardly any room on the floor. It has 3 speeds and whole room oscillation. It also came with a 12" mini fan which could be used on a desk. My son loves it.</p>
<p>I’d go for either a box fan that can be put securely into a window or a small one that can be stashed easily when the hot months are over.</p>
<p>I have a Vornado and I adore it. It’s definitely on the louder side on the higher settings, but that’s part of its appeal for me. Everyone I know with a tall and thin fan has broken it the first time they accidentally kicked it over, so my vote is definitely for a bottom-heavy or round one that won’t break.</p>
<p>I would definitely go for a window fan. Probably the best bet is the kind with panels that can be pulled out at either side (as on a window a/c unit) and can be installed either horizontally (double-hung window) or vertically (casement window). They realy cool the room down. Don’t forget an extension cord. We installed a fan like this for S every year at CTY. One year, in a strange window, we had to resort to duct tape to keep it in. But he said that he and his roomie were envied because their room was cool at night. :)</p>
<p>My kids like fans going all year round. If they are gong to use the fan beyond just the hottest months go with the and up fan.</p>
<p>If the college will allow you to use your own window air-conditioner, get one. A small a/c unit can be purchased for $100 and if the school pays for the electric too–why not?</p>
<p>If the college is fussy, they may allow only use of more expensive portable a/c unit that uses the flexible duct hoses that you stick out corner of window…about $300.</p>
<p>If you can only use fan, get the biggest one that will fit in open window. Pull air through room and blow fan out window. If you have a transom window above dorm room entry door, you should get pretty good air flow. Stay cool!</p>
<p>I know I cannot have/use a portable A/C unit (they’re not allowed), so I think I’m looking between a tall/skinny fan or a box/floor fan. I’ll probably use my fan all-year round, because I’m a huge fan of air movement and apparently heaters are evil. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>I second the Vornado. Lots of power, doesn’t take up lots of space.</p>
<p>Depending on how your room is configured it really helps to have one pulling air in from an open window as the temps drop in the evening and it is cooler outside than inside. An inexpensive box fan on the windowsill works great for that. I talked to a mom of a Duke sophomore and her daughter and roommate had 4 fans going the first month!</p>