At first glance there may appear to be no difference between a $50 fan & one that costs $500. Inexpensive fans may look good when new, and they may even run well at first however, after continued use, they'll become noisy; or they'll warp, wobble or quickly wear out.
Selecting the right ceiling fan can often be difficult so below are a few suggestions to help you pick the perfect one for your home:
General:
Look for: a brand name that carries with it an established reputation and made of high-quality materials; A heavy duty motor & bearings, and correctly matched motor size and blade pitch (look for a blade pitch of 12-16 degrees in order to achieve maxium air movement = energy efficiency = saves you money).
Size:
The most popluar size fan blade is 52". The size *you'll* need, however, will depend upon the size of the room to which you're wanting to add a ceiling fan.
˜If your room is up to 75sq. ft, select 29-36" blades.
˜If your room is up to 76-144sq. ft, select 36-42" blades.
˜If your room is up to 145-225sq. ft, select 42" blades.
˜If your room is up to 226-400sq. ft, select 50-54" blades.
Mounting:
Ceiling fans should be installed (mounted) in the middle of the room and at least 7 feet above the floor and 18 in. from the walls. If ceiling height allows, install the fan 8 - 9 feet above the floor for optimal airflow.
˜Standard mounts come with a 3– 5" downrod, which is the metal pipe that extends from the ceiling bracket to the top of the fan. Downrods are usually either 1/2 or 3/4-inch in diameter.
˜Extended mounts can be used to hang the ceiling fan at the desired 8–9 feet from the floor for tall ceiling heights. Downrods can be purchased from 6 inches (9 ft ceiling) to 120 inches (20 ft ceiling). You can contact us here to help you determine the right downrod length for your needs.
˜Flushmounts anchor the fan directly against the ceiling. Most standard fans can be installed as a flushmount however, many manufacturers sell “hugger” or “low profile” ceiling fans that are specifically designed for this purpose. Hugger fans are ideal for rooms that have ceilings under 8 feet in height or in situations where a fan with optional light would hang down too low. Hugger fans will not move as much air as a regular fan because the blades are closer to the ceiling.
˜Sloped mounts are used for angled or vaulted ceilings.
Wet/Damp Rating
- Placing a ceiling fan in a bathroom or other humid locations? Purchase a fan that has been UL listed with a “damp” rating. For fans that may come in direct contact with water, like on a patio or front porch, look for a UL “wet” rating. These fans include features such as sealed/moisture resistant motors, rust resistant housing, stainless steel hardware, and all weather blades.