How to Choose a Ceiling Fan: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Many homeowners find themselves asking the same question: how do I choose a ceiling fan that fits my home? At Right Electrical Services, we know that choosing a ceiling fan can be enough to cause any homeowner a headache. After all, there are so many different factors to consider and countless options to choose from.
Today, we’ll be giving you a few suggestions of the most important things to consider when choosing a ceiling fan for your home. Think of this as the ultimate buyer’s guide to inform your decisions as you shop for your next ceiling fan. As always, once you pick out the perfect ceiling fan for your home, call our Raleigh electricians for ceiling fan installation. We’ll be happy to help!
Make Sure You Get the Ceiling Height Right
One of the first and most important things that you should be considering when shopping for a new ceiling fan is your ceiling height. This is important because the height of your ceiling will inform the best ceiling fan model for the room. Let’s say, for example, that you are installing a ceiling fan in a room with a low ceiling. In this case, it is a good idea to get a flush-mount model, also known as a “ceiling hugger” to ensure that there is plenty of headspace.
If you are shopping for a ceiling fan for an average-height ceiling, it is likely that you can simply use the manufacturer-supplied hanging rod for installation. When it comes to higher ceilings, however, you’ll want to use an extension rod to lower your ceiling fan to the best position in the room. This is typically somewhere between eight and nine feet from the floor.
Don’t have an extension rod? Never fear! You can find extension rods ranging from 12 to 72 inches either at a home center or online. Just be sure that the finishes match that of the ceiling fan that you have selected and source the rod from the same company that you purchase the ceiling fan itself from.
Size Your Ceiling Fan According to the Room
Another valuable tip that you should keep in mind when shopping for a new ceiling fan for your home is to size your ceiling fan according to the room. This is important because there is a pretty large range in blade spans when it comes to ceiling fans- usually between 24 and 80 inches.
In order to properly size your ceiling fan according to the room where it will be hanging, it’s best to follow the recommendations given by the American Lighting Association:
Room Size Fan Size
Up to 75 sq. ft. 36 inches or smaller
75 to 144 sq. ft. 36 to 42 inches
144 to 225 sq. ft. 44 to 50 inches
225 to 400 sq. ft. 50 to 54 inches
If you’re looking for a ceiling fan for a very large room, you may want to go with a fan with a blade span between 60 to 80 inches. This is because a ceiling fan will need to have a blade span suited to fit the requirements of such a large space in terms of function.
It is important to note that when sizing a ceiling fan to the size of the room where it will be hanging, you should always follow an important rule of thumb that states that you should always keep a minimum of 18 to 24 inches of clearance on all sides of the fan after installation.
Make Sure Your Fan is Placed Properly
Contrary to popular belief, ceiling fans don’t actually lower room temperature. Rather, they cool the room by creating a nice breeze. For this reason, it is very important to consider where you’ll be placing your fan when buying a new one. If you want to be happy with your purchase, you’ll want to make sure your ceiling fan is placed in exactly the right room of your home.
For example, you’ll get the most out of a new ceiling fan when it is installed in a high-traffic area where you and your family tend to spend a lot of time. Particularly good places for installing a ceiling fan include in bedrooms, family rooms, and kitchens. Consider the spot where you will be installing your new ceiling fan carefully as you shop for the perfect fan.
Be Sure to Choose the Right Ceiling Fan Blade
Although this may not be something you immediately think about when thinking about buying a new ceiling fan, the number of ceiling fan blades is an important consideration to make. This, however, has less to do with function and more to do with personal preference.
At one time, five or six-blade ceiling fans used to mean more efficiency as opposed to those with three or four blades. In recent times, however, this is no longer the case. Since the CFM is the measure of a fan’s airflow efficiency, the number of blades that your ceiling fan has is now more related to the style you want the space it hangs in to embody.
A four or five-blade ceiling fan, for example, offers a more conventional look while a ceiling fan with only two or three blades is considered more sleek and modern in terms of style. Ask yourself what type of look you are going for and be sure to keep this in mind when shopping for your new ceiling fan. You can buy ceiling fans with any number of blades, ranging from two blades to a total of 9 blades.
Think About Different Control Options
When choosing a new ceiling fan, you’ll want to think about how you’d prefer to control it. There are various different control options for ceiling fans today, including a wall switch, remote, or good ol’ fashioned pull chain. It should be noted that once you pick out a ceiling fan, you may no longer have much of a choice in terms of how you want to control it. This is because the mode of operation typically depends on the type of fan that you choose. That being said, while personal tastes can vary from one person to the next, there is much to be said for the convenience of controlling a ceiling fan via a remote.
**As an important note, it’s a good idea to keep a ceiling fan on a separate circuit from the lighting. When both the ceiling fan and the lighting are on the same circuit, you won’t be able to run your fan when the lights are off. This is especially important if you will be installing your new ceiling fan in the bedroom, for example.
Don’t Be Afraid to Shop Online
Finally, when shopping for the perfect ceiling fan for your home, it’s important to remember that you have various places to choose from! While many people assume that the only way to choose the right ceiling fan is by shopping in a home store, there are endless options of ceiling fans if you look online.
If you settle for the limited selection of ceiling fans to be found in a brick-and-mortar store, you may miss out on your dream ceiling fan! This is especially true if you need a ceiling fan with particularly small blades or a model suited for a specific type of ceiling, such as a cathedral or vaulted ceiling. Don’t limit yourself by being afraid to shop online!
Ceiling Fan Installation From Raleigh Electricians
Now that you know our tips and suggestions on how to choose a ceiling fan, it’s time to find the perfect fan for your home! Once you’ve found the right ceiling fan, you’ll need the help of our expert electricians to get it installed. We offer Raleigh ceiling fan installation, serving customers in the Triangle and surrounding regions.
Looking for an electrician that’ll get the job done right the first time? Look no further than Right Electrical Services, LLC. Contact us today by calling us at (919) 359-1017 or submitting a Request Service form on our website. We’ll be happy to help!
Renee Rose
Renee is a freelance copywriter and blogger known for her expertise surrounding topics like marketing, freelancing, mental health, and more. She has written for hundreds of small business websites and is the Marketing Director here at Right Electrical Services, LLC. Renee believes that when a business prioritizes entertaining, engaging, and informational content for their readers, they can expect a loyal following that trusts their company.
Thank you for explaining that the ceiling fan needs to be sized appropriately for the room. My husband and I are looking to get a fan for the master bedroom. We’ll be sure to keep these measurements in mind while we go to pick something out. //www.mauifancenter.com/