Ceiling fans are beneficial to any home as they help keep the home cool and can assist in circulating the air around. The use of fans can help lower your overall energy bill too while you do not have to sacrifice comfort for budget. While they have a very functional purpose, they also have an aesthetic purpose as well. The right ceiling fan can help create a modern and updated look in your home.
Whether you are looking to update an existing room or a new home with ceiling fans, replace an old one, or simply update your over look, this guide below will assist you in choosing the right ceiling fan for any room in your house.
Let’s have a look.
Location of the Fan
If you have an existing ceiling fan, placement of a new fan is pretty straightforward, as you will be placing it in the same spot. There is not too much to think about unless the current placement is not a good fit for the room or you want to have it moved.
When it comes to a new ceiling fan in a room that has never had a ceiling fan in it, then you will want to take some time to look around the room to determine where you will put the ceiling fan, where it will work best, and what you want to achieve with it. For example, will your ceiling fan go outside, in a bedroom, a living room, or somewhere else?
When searching for a ceiling fan, you want to take a look at the wet/damp rating of it. This will tell you whether the fan is designed to be used indoors or outdoors. If you are going to hang a ceiling fan somewhere that is exposed to a damp area such as on a pool patio, you want to make sure that the UL wet/damp rating states that it is designed for that use.
What is the difference between the wet and damp ratings. A wet rating means that the fan is able to withstand direct snow, rain, or moisture and can be placed in an open area such as a gazebo. A damp rating means that the fan can be exposed to moisture but must be on a covered porch or another area that is covered.
Outdoor fans CAN be hung inside of a home, but indoor fans should NEVER be hung outside.
Size of the Ceiling Fan
Now that you have an idea of the location of your ceiling fan, the next thing you need to think about is the size. Since your ceiling fan’s main goal is to cool the area, it is important that the size of the fan is accurate to achieve this. A fan that is too small will not cool the area.
Before shopping for a fan, take time to measure the room that it will be located in. You want to measure from the ceiling to the floor as this will allow you to decide which type of mount is best to use for the fan as well.
If you have a room that is very large, you may need to use a combination of ceiling fans to cool the space. For example, an oversized living room area may need two ceiling fans installed.
To know what size fan to purchase, you want to take that measurement from the ceiling to the floor that you did earlier and subtract a total of 12 inches from it if you plan to use a ceiling fan with a light kit on it.
How long should the fan be?
- A 10-foot high ceiling will need a down rod length of 12 inches
- A 11-foot high ceiling will need a down rod length of 18 inches
- A 12-foot high ceiling will need a down rod length of 24 inches
- A 13-foot high ceiling will need a down rod length of 36 inches
- A 14-foot high ceiling will need a down rod length of 48 inches
- A 15-foot high ceiling will need a down rod length of 60 inches
- A 16-foot high ceiling will need a down rod length of 72 inches
How many square feet are covered according to the size of the fan?
- A 100 square foot room needs up to a 36-inch fan
- A 200 square foot room needs a 42-inch fan
- A 400 square foot room needs a 52-inch fan
- A 400+ square foot room needs a 60-inch fan or two 52 or 56-inch fans
What about the mount is important?
We mentioned briefly above that the mount for the fan matters too. You need to choose a mount that will work best in your home. You need to remember your ceiling height to be able to choose the right mount.
The ceiling fan height from the floor of your home to the blade of the fan should be 8 feet total. A fan that is mounted too close to the ceiling inside will not cool the space as effectively as air becomes trapped.
Here are some of the different ceiling fan mounts to consider:
- Down rod mount – This type of mount is best for living rooms or areas with a ceiling height that is larger than 8 feet. Vaulted ceilings and very high ceilings are the best candidates for this type of mount.
- Flush mount – This type of mount is mounted onto the ceiling and is perfect for a home that has low ceiling heights.
Pro Tip: For vaulted or very tall ceilings, you should utilize a down rod to help bring the fan closer to the room. A fan that is too high will not serve its purpose. You want to have at least 18 inches between the fan blades and the walls while bringing the fan to about 8 or 9 feet from the ground.
Style of the Fan
You know where the fan will go and the size you need, so the next step is to determine what style fan you want. There are many different types of fans available in all different colors. For example, some of the finishes you can choose from include:
- Oak
- White
- Black
- Natural
- Cherry
- And many more
Sometimes, blades are even reversible, so you have 2 color options to choose from whenever you want.
If you decide to choose a fan with a light kit, you will have the ability to choose from different styles of light kits as well. Some will be frosted while others are not, some will be a single decoration and others may be multiple, and you may even find some made of glass or other finishes.
Ideally, you should match the finish of your ceiling fan to the other décor in your home to keep everything succinct.
What are the different styles of ceiling fans available?
- Cottage – This style is white and helps to capture the cottage look very well. If you have this style home, you want to choose a fan that is all white in color with white hardware or a nickel color hardware to compliment it.
- Coastal – These types of fans have natural wood fan blades, and the hardware is often black, white, or bronze in color. If you are looking for a more tropical vibe, you can find fans with rattan and bamboo blades. These types of fans look well in cottage and beach-style homes.
- Traditional – This style sports dark wood blades such as walnut or oak and often have a brushed nickel or bronze hardware. These have a timeless look and are popular in many homes.
- Modern – Contemporary fans are modern and feature metallic finishes and clean lines. You should look for fans that have satin nickel, brushed nickel, or a chrome finish on them.
- Farmhouse – This style of fan has natural wood tones and are designed with inspiration from the great outdoors in mind. You will find these types of fans come with a matte black or a bronze or mixed hardware.
Features and Lighting for Your Fan
As there are many styles of ceiling fans out there, there are several additional options for both the features and lighting on your fan as well.
Controlling your fan’s light and speed is essential to getting the most use out of the fan itself. Some of the most common options for fans include:
- Wall control – The fan is controlled by pressing a button that is located on the wall. The button is like a remote, but it stays in place on the wall.
- Pull chain – A pull chain is a standard option that is present on most fans. They are easy to reach and operate, which is why they are so popular.
- Remote control – Ceiling fans that are up high on vaulted or very high ceilings usually come with a remote control, as a pull chain would be very difficult to reach. This feature is portable and handheld, which makes it very convenient.
- Smart option – There are smart fans available that can be programmed and then controlled via an app on a device or phone.
Most ceiling fans come with a light kit, but there are options that do not. Should you choose one that has a light kit, you want to consider the options available to you. In general, you have 2 main options, which include the following:
- Integrated LED light kit – These LED bulbs are built into the fan itself. They last a long time and offer a modern look to the fan itself. These lights can be repaired or replaced at any time, which makes them convenient as well.
- LED bulb – This type of bulb has an average lifespan of around 50,000 hours, so it is going to last you quite some time. These bulbs are readily accessible and can be switched out when needed. They are not built into the fan but are attached to the fan via connection.
Efficiency and Airflow of the Fan
The motor within the fan is what determines the airflow and the efficiency of the fan. Airflow and efficiency are measured in CFM or cubic feet per minute. Fans are equipped with either an AC or DC motor. DC motors usually produce less overall heat and do not consume as much energy as their counterpart, the AC motor. Fans that have a high CFM rating are best for outdoors as they move more air.
If you are looking for a fan that is energy efficient, you want to look for one that has been energy star rated. These fans have been certified to produce up to 20 percent less energy. Your heating and cooling costs can be lowered when you have an energy star rated fan.
Pro Tip: In the summer, you should set your fan to run the blades counterclockwise to enjoy a cool breeze in your home. Come winter, reverse them to run clockwise to help move heat throughout the room.
Get the Right Ceiling Fan for Your Home
Choosing the right ceiling fan makes a HUGE difference and can actually be the difference between the cost you pay monthly for your energy bill and the comfort of the room you are in. There are many things to consider as you shop for a ceiling fan, so take your time to determine what you want. Rushing a decision may only lead to you being unhappy with the fan you choose.
Once you have your ceiling fan installed, sit back, and enjoy it as it works efficiently in your home.