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Ceiling fans can make your home more sustainable and comfortable, and also enhance your home’s decor. They’re even great for hanging in covered outdoor spaces. But choosing the right fan for your needs can be a challenge if you don’t know what to look for.
The first thing you need to consider is size. A fan should be sized properly for the space it’s in, or else it won’t be able to provide the air flow that you need. It’ll either be too powerful, or not powerful enough.
You also need to make sure you use the appropriate downrod kit to hang your fan at the right height. If you’re buying a fan that will go outdoors or in a room with a lot of moisture, you should pay attention to wet and damp ratings. And, of course, it makes sense to choose a ceiling fan that has the features you need for maximum convenience and comfort.
Size matters
Ceiling fans are measured in inches across the width of the blade sweep. For example, if a ceiling fan is labelled as 46 inches, that means its blades are 46 inches wide. It’s important to choose the right size ceiling fan for your space:
- If the space is under 75 square feet, get a 36-inch or smaller ceiling fan.
- If the space is 75-150 square feet, get a 36-inch to 42-inch fan.
- If the space is 150-225 square feet, get a 44-inch to 50-inch fan.
- If the space is 225-400 square feet, get a 50-inch to 54-inch fan.
If the space is bigger than 400 square feet, you will need an even bigger fan. You can buy fans that are 80 inches wide or even wider. If you want to install a fan in a very large room, it might be a good idea to buy two or three large Hunter Fan ceiling fans instead of trying to cool the whole room with one large fan. Multiple large fans in a large room can provide a more even circulation of air.
How high to hang your ceiling fan
A ceiling fan needs to be a certain distance from the floor in order to create effective airflow, while also being far enough away from anyone’s head. That distance is usually about eight feet. If you have nine-foot ceilings, you can buy a fan with a standard, one-foot downrod, but if you have higher ceilings, you’re going to need a downrod extension. You can buy kits to extend the downrod of any ceiling fan.
If your ceilings are lower than nine feet, you might still be able to hang a ceiling fan. Flush or hugger mount fans don’t have downrods and will use the minimum clearance necessary between the blades and the ceiling.
If you’re hanging your fan on a pitched ceiling, consider an angle mount ceiling fan.
Make sure the fan and downrod extension kit you choose can provide enough clearance between the wall and the blades. There should be 18 inches between the wall and the blades and at least 8 inches between the ceiling and the blades.
Outdoor fans need to withstand the elements
Fans are typically rated for use in dry, damp, or wet environments. You can also buy fans rated for coastal or marine use, these fans are especially resistant to corrosion from the elements.
If you’re hanging a fan outdoors, make sure you buy a wet-rated or marine-rated fan, depending on your location.
If you’re hanging your fan in a room with humidity – like the kitchen or bathroom – go for a damp-rated fan.
You can choose a dry-rated fan for rooms that don’t experience lots of moisture, like the bedroom or living room.
The right fan features can make all the difference
When you’re shopping for a ceiling fan, take some time to think about the features you’d find useful. For example, do you need lots of speed settings, a built-in light fixture (these are great for rooms with little natural light), a remote control, wireless wall control, or smart connectivity?
The right fan can take the comfort level of your home up several notches, and save you money on heating and cooling costs too. By working out the ideal size and the features you need before making a purchase, you’re well on the way to choosing the perfect ceiling fan for your indoor or outdoor space.
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