How to Choose a Ceiling Fan for Your Home

Installing a ceiling fan in a room gives more flexibility when it comes to adjusting the temperature. This allows you to create a comfortable atmosphere by either driving the warmth downwards, or creating a refreshing breeze to keep the air circulating. Making a decision on a ceiling fan involves more than just going with what appears attractive. This is an essential point to keep in mind, for there is a wide array of ceiling fan dimensions, options, and varieties. Not every kind of ceiling fan is suitable for every type of room. So how do you choose?

In this tutorial, we will examine every significant element that must be taken into account before deciding on a ceiling fan. We’ll guide you through every detail from the size to how to operate the fan.

How Do Ceiling Fans Work?

The main purpose of a ceiling fan is to provide a cooling effect. The fan does not reduce the air temperature, yet we sense a drop in temperature due to the air currents it produces, a process that is known as evaporative cooling.

When the air is already cold and there is a wind, it will feel even colder due to the “wind chill factor” that is created from the breeze. If it’s a hot day and we perspire, then turning a ceiling fan on can create a breeze which works like wind chill, thus cooling us down.

Buying Considerations for Ceiling Fans

Room Size

The size of the ceiling fan you purchase will be determined by the size of your room. A bigger space has more air that can be circulated, necessitating the use of a larger fan than what would be necessary in a smaller room. Generally speaking, for spaces between 75 and 175 square feet, it is best to get an air circulation device with a blade size anywhere between 42 and 48 inches. Rooms in the medium-sized range (175 to 300 square feet) should have a ceiling fan with blades that measure between 52 and 56 inches. For a spacious area, larger than 350 square feet, you should go with a fan that has blades that measure at least 60 inches in length. For confined areas, there are fans with a diameter of 29 inches or less. It is critical to pick the proper fan size for your area to make sure it operates effectively.

Ceiling Height

Generally, a ceiling fan performs optimally when it is situated approximately 8 to 9 feet from the floor. You must think about how the fan will be attached to the ceiling in order to make sure it is set up at the exact height. For low ceilings, flush-mount fans are available. These attach firmly to the ceiling, preventing the fan from suspending too low. Standard-mount ceiling fans are ideal for medium-height ceilings. These have an apparatus that marginally reduces the fan’s distance from the ceiling. For high or arched ceilings, there are long connecting rods and attachment sets available.

Lights vs. No Lights

Fans for the ceiling can be purchased either with illumination or without illumination. It is essential to take the lighting into account when selecting a ceiling fan. If your area has a lot of natural or artificial light coming in through large windows or other lighting installations, you may prefer a ceiling fan that doesn’t have its own light. Alternatively, if your room is a little dim or in need of more brightness, having a ceiling fan installed that has a light fixture attached would increase the beauty of your space.

Tara emphasizes that ceiling fans that have lights are costlier than those that don’t, “however the additional cost is offset by the electricity savings they provide when they can be used to substitute overhead lighting.” This is especially applicable since most ceiling fans feature energy-effective, enduring LED lighting.

Control Options

When picking which method you want to use to manipulate your ceiling fan, you have plenty of alternatives. This fan has pull chains attached, which makes it a suitable choice for rooms with limited ceiling space. Wall-operated fans give you the capacity to manage all settings from your wall mounted light switch. These are great to keep everything organized and are ideal for high ceilings that cannot accommodate pull chains. From a distance, you can regulate your ceiling fan with a remote control, eliminating the necessity to get up and visit a special wall switch. Some ceiling fans offer added ease of use by having connectivity with smart home control, meaning that they can be managed from any smart device.

Style

Style should also be taken into account in addition to the technical aspects. Ceiling fans can not only alter the atmosphere of a room by controlling its temperature, but also its visual appeal. When choosing a ceiling fan, think about the design of your house. There is a large selection of looks that can be chosen from, ranging from the rural and rustic to the contemporary and utilitarian to the latest in contemporary design.

Cost

The price of ceiling fans varies depending on the type and the components included, usually ranging from $150 to $400. A simpler fan without any additional features or a remote and with a more straightforward design will be cheaper than a fancy model made of high-end materials and incorporating the newest technology.

If you’re trying to be economical, make sure to take a look at ceiling fans that are either marked down or on special offer. Occasionally, previous models of designs will have their prices reduced as newer designs become available. Another way to get discounts is to shop during the holidays or the beginning of the year when lots of seasonal sales are taking place.

What Type of Blades Are There on Ceiling Fans?

The blades of a ceiling fan are likely the aspect that requires the most consideration in the buying process. Consider the number of blades, the angle at which the blades are angled, and the engine when making your choice.

Many ceiling fans have four or five blades. Typically, the more blades a ceiling fan has, the quieter it will be since it reduces the amount of air being pushed around and requires the motor to work harder to rotate. This is due to the extra blade adding more drag. Industrial fans, including wind turbines, usually have a limited number of blades – usually two or three – so as to spin at high speeds.

The angle at which the blades are set will change the circulation of air created by the fan. With the majority of contemporary ceiling fans, the angle of the blades falls between 10 and 15 degrees. A lower number for the pitch means the blade is flatter, requiring less energy to rotate, but more speed can cause the fan to shake if the blades are more horizontal.

As the angle of the blades increases, the resistance increases, meaning the motor has to work harder to spin the fan. Blades with a shallower angle that are rotating quickly move less air than blades with a steeper angle that are spinning more slowly. If you set a ceiling fan with a 15 degree blade pitch to its highest speed, then you will witness items such as paper begin to flutter.

Blade size varies, too. With a larger blade, increased airflow will be enabled, thus necessitating a more potent motor to turn the blades.

Motors have varying rotations per minute or RPM. It would be best to go for a fan that has six distinct speed settings to provide the greatest variety, though even three settings should be enough. It is typically preferable to have a fan running continuously at a lower velocity rather than operating sporadically at a higher speed.

A motor that can be reversed permits the propellers to turn both clockwise and counterclockwise. During the summer, rotate your ceiling fan anticlockwise to help with keeping the room chilled. In wintertime, with the heater running, spin the ceiling fan in a clockwise motion to ensure the space stays warm.

What Size Ceiling Fan Do I Need?

The lengths of the blades of the majority of ceiling fans are in the range of 74-137 centimeters (29-54 inches). Energy Star recommends the following blade size based on room size:

• Up to 75 ft² (7 sq m) = 29-36 inch blades (74-91 cm)
• 76-144 ft² (7-13 sq m) = 36-42 inch blades (91-107 cm)
• 144-225 ft² (13-21 sq m) = 44 inch blades (112 cm)
• 225-400 ft² (21-37 sq m) = 50-54 inch blades (127-137 cm)

Be sure to ascertain the difference between the flooring and the ceiling of the area to determine the length of the required downrod.

Huggers, which are either low-profile ceiling fans or flush mounts, can be positioned close to the ceiling in rooms with a height that is below 9 feet (2.75 m). If you possess a tall ceiling, it is beneficial to employ a downrod; the bottom portion of the fan should be at minimum 7 feet away from the floor.

What Is the Most Effective Ceiling Fan?

It is hard to say which ceiling fan is the best because each one has been created for different uses. Ceiling fans that help conserve energy work best if they are installed in the proper room; don’t attempt to use an outdoor model in a living space, for example.

The Spruce has came up with a compilation of its 10 greatest ceiling fans, having evaluated multiple companies. Energy Star has also put together a selection of the most power-saving ceiling fans.

How Much Electricity Does a Ceiling Fan Use?

Ceiling fan labels show the watts it uses. The amount of power used can change depending on the speed setting of the ceiling fan.

The Monte Carlo Vision 84 fan requires anywhere from 6.9W to 30W of power to operate correctly, which is significantly lower than the majority of ceiling fan models requiring an energy usage of 50-80W. We can calculate the amount of energy used in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Watts × time (hours) / 1,000 = kWh.

The Monte Carlo Vision, operating at its lowest power setting of 6.9W, needs 0.0069 kilowatt-hours of electricity, while an 80W fan requires 0.08 kilowatt-hours.

Is a Ceiling Fan Cheaper to Run Than Air Conditioning?

Approximately half of the energy used in housing is allocated to heating and cooling. In the United States, around 6% of all electrical power is consumed by air conditioning systems.

The least powerful air conditioning unit, a small window one, requires 500 watts, while central air systems may require up to 3,500 watts. If we ran a 3,000 watt air conditioner machine without taking any breaks all week, similar to what we did with the ceiling fan, we will consume 504 kilowatt hours, costing us $64.52, given that the cost per kilowatt hour is 12.80 cents.

A ceiling fan is much more cost efficient than air conditioning as it consumes much less energy. You could potentially increase your savings by looking at different electricity prices.

Four Fun Facts About Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans:

1. Rotate slower than desk fans.
2. Do not lower room temperatures — the motor adds a little heat to rooms. We feel cooler because of the breeze they produce.
3. Were invented in 1882 by German Philip Diehl, who adapted the Singer sewing machine motor to create a ceiling-mounted fan.
4. Are present in 80 million U.S. homes.

How to Choose a Ceiling Fan

What Kind of Room Needs a Fan?

Prior to opting for fan dimensions, elements, or even layout, you need to take into account the sort of atmosphere the admirer will be in. Do you require an electric fan for your lounge or sleeping quarters? A dry-rated fan will do just fine. If you are seeking to have an air-circulating fan on your porch that is protected by a roof, you must buy a fan that is water-resistant or waterproof. Think about how much moisture and temperature the fan will be exposed to before selecting the first one that appeals to you.

How Large is the Room?

The dimensions of the room are a major factor in deciding the size of fan you should get. That compact fan may be attractive with its fancy blades, but it won’t be able to circulate air well in a large space. Before purchasing, it is essential to figure out what size ceiling fan is necessary.

Does Your Space Need More Light?

Take into account if you want your ceiling fan to have a light or not. Note the level of illumination in your area throughout the day and determine if the environment appears dim or brightly lit. If your area has insufficient natural lighting or not many lamps, getting a fan with a light attached to the ceiling can totally alter the atmosphere of the room and make it more helpful.

Where to Buy a Ceiling Fan

Some stores that offer ceiling fan products for purchase include Home Depot, Lowe’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, Walmart, and Target. One can buy ceiling fans from various sources, which include brick-and-mortar stores, as well as various digital merchants such as Overstock, Wayfair, Amazon and other web-based vendors. When deciding which store to purchase a ceiling fan from, make sure to take a look at your local company or small retail store that could offer fan units.

Our Guide To the Best Ceiling Fan

Making the right decision when it comes to selecting a ceiling fan for your house is an important and well thought out selection. It’s not only about looks or buying the fan that has the biggest blades or strongest engine. Correct installation and utilization of the fan is essential to ensure you maximize the benefits of your purchase. This can also be a great opportunity to go over your electricity bill and possibly think about signing up for a different energy plan.

Now that you have a full understanding of ceiling fans, you can shop without worry. Conserve energy while maintaining a comfortable temperature by utilizing your new ceiling fan.