Haiku Home first rolled out its residential line of fans in 2016 as a subsidiary of Big Ass Solutions, the brand behind those huge air-movers you’ve probably seen at a local gym. Designed with maximum efficiency in mind, these fans aim to marry high-end looks with lessons learned from the industrial space.
There are four different models in the Haiku residential line with prices starting at $550 and going up to $1,550. Sure, these are pricier than your standard ceiling mount from Lowe’s, but these aren’t your average fans. A slick blend of design and technology are what make Haiku standout from the competition…
For our review, we took a look at the entry-level L Series ($550) and the higher-end H Series ($995).Right off the bat you’ll notice the streamlined look of Haiku’s fans.
Sleek blades and attractive styling are worth the price of admission alone in my eyes. Nearly every visitor to our home since I installed these fans has commented on the unique look.
Install
Thankfully for this homeowner, installation is very straight forward. In fact, Haiku’s line of fans do not deviate from the standard install process in any way. Each unit ships with a ceiling mount system that does provide an extra level of safety and security, but overall there was little issue with securing the fan. Same goes for the wall switch. Although it has a somewhat bulbous shape, there is very little difference from the standard dimensions you’d expect from a switch.
After getting things situated on the ceiling and wall, it was time to move on to the network side of things. Both fans operate fine without an internet connection, but the smartphone app does add an extra level of functionality. The L Series needs the add-on Wi-Fi module for this functionality while the costlier H Series has network connectivity built-in.
L Series
The L Series is the entry-point into Haiku’s line of residential fans at $550. This model is available in black or white and ships with a built-in LED light. Haiku only ships this fan in the 52-inch variety and each blade is coated with a UV-resistant resin that is designed to assist in maintaining its color over a long period of time.
This is the simplest design that Haiku offers. As you can see in the photo, our sample was white which blended in nicely with the ceiling. In two months, I’ve not noticed any issue with discoloring or dust but I’m sure the latter can become an issue over time.
The L Series’ LED light has 16 brightness levels, and I have to say that this lamp puts out some serious illumination. Settings 8-16 provide a bright enough light for reading without issue. The ability to dim to a variety of different levels is a nice touch. If you’re on a budget but looking for something more than the standard fan, I’d recommend shelling out a little extra cash for the L Series.
H Series
Haiku’s H Series sits as the top-of-the-line fan outside of the custom Luxe models. It comes in four different finishes and three sizes, offering plenty of flexibility for your needs. At $995, the H Series is certainly a luxury item. But for the price you get a brilliant center-piece for any space. As I said above, you can choose from Caramel or Cocoa Bamboo, and White or Black Aluminum. The LED kit is an extra $95 add-on, which brings the same dimmable lighting as the L Series.
The main difference between the two models besides color and size is Haiku’s SenseME technology. There is a small sensor in the middle of the blades and “senses” your presence in a room and automatically starts the fan up based on your preferences. If the room needs to be cooler, the fan will spin in the appropriate direction at the right speed to bring down the room temperature. Likewise, if the room needs to warm up. Generally speaking, I found this feature to work well and it can be turned off if needed.
It wouldn’t be a fan review if we didn’t talk about air movement. I have the 60-inch model in my living room, and I have to say the H Series moves an impressive amount of air. There is a lot of science behind Haiku’s physical dimensions on these fans, which I can’t do justice here. I’ll just say that as far as fans go, the H Series is certainly the cream of the crop.
Smart Home Integration
Haiku Home fans are designed to work in conjunction with Nest and ecobee3 thermostats. Setup is quite simple, you’ll need to give your thermostat access through the Haiku app and answer a few questions. You can set the ideal temperature for your room and minimum/maximum fan speeds to your preference. I found that this bit of integration generally worked well. The ecobee had little trouble activating the fan when needed but I can’t speak to any potential energy savings at this time.
Amazon Echo enthusiasts will be pleased to know that Haiku offers Alexa-integration. I actually found this to be particularly helpful during my trial. Simply saying, “Alexa, turn on the living room fan” would activate the fan and set it to the right speed based on your preferences. Same goes for the LED light. It worked without issue, which is something to not take for granted in your smart home these days.
Conclusion
From the time we installed the Haiku fans in our home, it has been the center of conversation for almost every visitor in our home. The luxury look and design stands out in our space but still fits in with the decor. I can’t say that making a fan a center piece of our home was my intention, but I’m certainly pleased with the outcome.
For many, pricing will admittedly be an issue. We’re taking a significant bump in price over your standard fan at Lowe’s, Home Depot or Menard’s. That said, if it’s something you can swing, I’d go for it. Aside the from the attractive design, smart home integration and potential energy savings are a big draw for me personally.
Both models are currently available for purchase today from Haiku Home. Visit their website for an in-depth look at the different styles available for each model.
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