Whether you’re looking to upgrade a room with a new ceiling fan, replace an existing fan, or doing a bit of remodeling it’s essential to understand a few crucial points. Ceiling fans are an amazing accessory for the home. They look good, offer tremendous value, and they help to improve the airflow of a home regardless of the weather. People love them for their looks, functionality, and energy/cost savings. Here are a few key features to consider prior to buying your new ceiling fan and installing it in your home.
Room Size
Ceiling fans come in many different sizes, intended for unique-sized rooms. A 36” fan, for instance, is intended to fit into a 100 square foot room. It goes up from there. 42” for 200 square feet and 52” fans for 400 square feet are typically the norm. Anything larger than that may require up to a 60” fan to be ideal for the room. Be sure to measure you r room appropriately and choose the corresponding fan size. Also consider how you’re going to install and mount the fan. For angled ceilings or ceilings higher than eight feet, you can use a variety of different down rods to mount it. For lower ceilings, a low-profile/hugger fan is likely the best bet. You can always install a fan yourself, but it may be better to consult an electrician in some cases, depending on your skill level.
Energy Efficiency
Ceiling fans are great for circulating and distributing air around your home. Warm or cool air can easily be circulated depending on the direction in which the span is moving (clockwise or counterclockwise). On warmer days, it creates an artificial breeze that helps evaporate the sweat on your body to create a cooling effect. On cold days, any heat that’s hanging around the ceiling can be distributed via the fan blades to heat the home more evenly. They’re also quiet and very energy efficient. Ceiling fan motors are rated for high efficiency, and they use significantly less energy than an AC unit or heater. Add some lights and a bit of smart technology, and there’s no reason why a ceiling fan can’t serve you well regardless of the weather outside. Saving the environment while remaining comfortable? That’s definitely a win, and ceiling fans help us get there.
Motor
Along with the blades, the fan’s motor is one of the more vital parts of the ceiling fan. Fans might use alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) motors. Some of the most efficient fans use permanent split capacitor motors. These motors offer optimal efficiency and operation that lasts for a very long time. They are part of the reason why ceiling fans are such a long lasting device that holds up to the test of time. Many different fan styles use these types of motors, including modern and rustic designs. Installing rustic ceiling fans is a great way to have a powerful PSC motor while taking advantage of a nice-looking fan that fits into a classic look. Rustic fans offer a natural, wooden look that fits in well with hardwood floors or a country as style aesthetic.
Mount
Fans can mount to the ceiling in several different ways. Most fans Mount to a ceiling with a down rod. A downrod is a sturdy piece of metal that connects to the ceiling and brings the fan down to a certain height. Down rods are used in ceilings that are 8 ft or higher. They also come in different heights and sizes, meaning they can adapt to various ceiling heights depending on your needs. If a sealing is angled, then a down rod is very much needed. If a ceiling is higher than 8 to 10 ft, you’ll likely be using a sturdy down rod to Mount Your fan. For lower ceilings between 7 and 8 ft, a downrod is not needed. For these size ceilings, a low profile or flush mount fan which mounts directly to the ceiling is needed.
Accessories
Like many other appliances, ceiling fans have their own fair share of accessories too. The types of accessories you’d find with ceiling fans, however, are more functional than aesthetic. The most common accessory you’ll find is lightning. Lighting can be recessed or exposed, globe or chandelier, and more. Lighting can also be dimmable, ambient, or just steady. There are also other accessories such as pull chains for operations, wall switches to provide more functionality, remote controls, and more recently smart controls that allow you to use a Wi-Fi enabled fan with an app to control things. Choosing your accessories as part of the fan selection process is half the fun, so be sure to get exactly what you want when you pick out your new ceiling fan.
