With the cost of living going up across the board, it’s the right time to install a ceiling fan in your home. A ceiling fan can create a nice, cooling breeze, so you can feel comfortable in your home without cranking up the air conditioning. In the winter, you can reverse the direction of your fan blades to blow warm air down from the ceiling, and save money on heating costs, too.
But how do you choose the right fan for your space? These days, you’re not limited to the old-fashioned wicker-blade ceiling fans your grandparents used to have. Choose the right size fan for your space, with the features you need, in a style that will match the rest of your decor.
Measure Your Space to Determine Your Ideal Fan Size
Before you go fan shopping, you need to figure out what size fan you need. Measure your room’s width and length, then multiple those numbers together to arrive at the square footage of your room. If your room is smaller than 75 square feet, choose a fan no bigger than 36 inches in diameter.
If your room is 75 to 144 square feet, choose a fan with a diameter of 36 to 42 inches. If your room is 145 square feet to 224 square feet, choose a fan with a diameter of 42 to 50 inches. For rooms larger than 225 square feet, choose a fan larger than 50 inches. The larger the room, the larger your fan should be.
Choose a Mount Type
When it comes to fan mounts, there are two choices: flush mounts and downrod mounts. Flush mount fans hug the ceiling, while downrod mount fans hang down from the ceiling 12 inches or more.
Choose your preferred mount type based on how high your ceilings are. Ideally, a fan should hang seven to eight feet off the floor. If you have low ceilings, choose a flush mount fan. If you have high ceilings, choose a downrod mount fan. If your ceilings are very high, you may need to buy a downrod extension kit to lower your fan to the appropriate height.
Lights or No Lights?
If you’re replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan, you probably want a fan that has a light fixture built in. There are plenty of options for fans with light fixtures, and you can usually control the fan blades and the lights separately.
Select a Fan Style
Choosing a style of fan is often the most difficult part of picking out a new ceiling fan. Modern ceiling fans come in a range of different styles, so you can definitely find something that suits your taste and decor. For example, if you’re buying a ceiling fan for your beach house, you might want to consider a tropical or palm leaf design.
If you need a fan that will tie together contemporary decor, look at sleek, modern styles with clean, sleek lines or even industrial styles with cages around the blades. You can buy ceiling fans with two to nine (or more) blades, ornate fans, or simple fans. Choose the style of fan you like best to fit in with your decorating aesthetic.
Consider Control Types
Traditionally, ceiling fans have been controlled by pull chains that hang down from the fan motor housing. However, that’s not your only choice, and it might not be the best choice if you’re hanging a fan in a room with a high ceiling. You can buy fans with remote controls or wireless wall-mount controls that allow you to operate the fan from a wall switch without doing any extra wiring work. You can even buy smart fans that you can control via smartphone app.
Choose Airflow and Efficiency Features
The more of a breeze your fan produces, the cooler you’ll feel while you’re using it. Ceiling fan air flow is measured in the amount of air a fan moves per minute, or cubic feet per minute (CFM). A fan’s CFM rating should be printed on the outside of the box.
You want a fan that can move at least 4,000 to 5,000 CFM, but 5,000 to 6,000 CFM is a better choice. The most powerful fans move 6,000 CFM or more. Remember that the more powerful the fan, the more air flow you’ll feel, and if you put a very powerful fan in a small space, the effect could be overpowering.
A ceiling fan is a cheap way to keep your home more comfortable year-round without spending more money on heating and cooling. Choose the right fan for your space, and enjoy years of comfort.