Ceiling Fan - Analysis and Buying Guide - 20223
Ceiling fans are an ideal alternative to expensive air conditioners. Not only are they more energy efficient, but they are more attractive than air conditioning units. The right kind of ceiling fan can even keep your home warm and humid, and lower heating costs in the winter, making it more versatile than an air conditioner, too. But shopping for a ceiling fan can be difficult. With so many options on the market, how do you choose the right model for you?
At Real Indian, our goal is to make shopping easy. If you're ready to buy a ceiling fan, check out our top picks. If you want to know more before you buy, what features to look for and how much you should pay, read on.
Ceiling Fan vs. AC
While a ceiling fan can't lower the temperature of a room the way an air conditioner does, by creating a draft it does make the room feel cooler. This allows you to increase the thermostat, which means reducing energy costs by 30% to 40%.
Ceiling fans come in a wide variety of styles. A model that complements your home decor is a more attractive option than an air conditioning unit.
Many ceiling fans are also equipped with lights. They can light up a room as well as circulate the air.
Unlike air conditioning, some ceiling fans work just as well in the summer as they do in the winter. During the colder months, a ceiling fan can pull warm air down from the ceiling and circulate it around the space to make it more comfortable.
What to Look for When Buying a Ceiling Fan
CFM
Cubic airflow per minute (cfm) is a measure of the cooling effect of wind helping to cool a room.
In most cases, you'll want the highest cfm possible, so you can turn up the thermostat and save money on energy costs.
Motor
A good ceiling fan has a motor with sealed bearings that don't require lubrication, so it doesn't require a lot of maintenance.
A DC motor is the most efficient and expensive. For a more affordable fan that still works well, choose one with a motor that...is larger than 200mm.
Choose a reversible motor if you want to use the fan year-round. A reversible motor allows you to adjust the direction of the fan, so it can pull warm air down from the ceiling and circulate it around the space in the winter.
Lightning
Many ceiling fans are also equipped with lighting kits, which allow them to not only circulate air but also light up a room.
You can choose from a variety of lighting styles, such as traditional globes or more contemporary fixtures.
Some fans have a single light in the center, while others have multiple glass shades surrounding the center of the fan.
Energy Efficiency
If you're worried about lowering your energy costs, look for a ceiling fan with the Energy Star seal.
An Energy Star rated ceiling fan should have an airflow of at least 1,250 cfm on the lowest speed and 5,000 cfm on the highest. It should also include at least a 30-year warranty on the engine, a one-year warranty on the components, and a two-year warranty on the light kit.
Size
If you want your ceiling fan to be effective, choosing the right size is key. The proper size depends on the size of the room.
For a room 75 square feet or smaller, choose a fan with a blade width of 36 inches or smaller.
For a room that is between 75 and 144 square feet, choose a fan with a wingspan that is between 36 and 42 inches.
For a room between 144 and 224 square feet, choose a fan with a blade width between 50 and 56 inches.
For a room that is 224 square feet or larger, choose a fan with a blade width between 52 and 62 inches.
Throwing and Finishing of the Sheet
Ceiling fans with wide blades and a higher angle, or pitch, tend to move the most air. Look for blades that are about five inches wide and have a rake angle between 12 and 14 degrees.
Blades come in a variety of finishes, including mahogany, oak, brushed nickel, and plastic.
Controls
Pull chains are the most common controls for ceiling fans. Simply pull the chain to turn on the fan and adjust the speed. For lighted fans, there is an additional chain to control the lights. Pull chains tend to work best in low-traffic areas.
Wall controls allow you to turn on the fan and adjust the speed, direction and lights with the push of a button.
Ceiling Fan Tips and Tricks
A ceiling fan with interchangeable blades makes it easy to change the look of the fan when you want to redecorate the room.
For a more stable installation, mount a fan to a ceiling joist. If there are no joists in the center of the room, use a ceiling fan mounting bracket with pointed ends to make it easier to mount the fan between the joists.
To reduce energy costs, always turn off the ceiling fan when no one is in the room.
Use your vacuum's brush attachment to remove dust from the blades of a ceiling fan. You can also use a damp microfiber cloth. Just be careful not to twist, lift, or pull the blades.
Don't use a dimmer switch with lighted ceiling fans. They can make the motor noisy and shorten the life of the fan.
A downrod is a metal tube that allows a fan to be suspended from the ceiling. You can find the rods in a variety of lengths to accommodate various ceiling heights.
To prevent a fan from wobbling, use a balancing kit. Attach the weights from the kit to the fan blades with the included clips.
FAQ
Que. What is the difference between a recessed ceiling fan and a ceiling fan with rods?
Ans. Recessed fans are mounted so they are flush with the ceiling. They work best in rooms with low ceilings or in a space where a low profile is preferred. A flush mount ceiling fan uses a down rod to lower the fan slightly from the ceiling. This type of fan works best in a room with a high ceiling, typically eight feet or higher.
Que. How do I keep a ceiling fan from wobbling?
Ans. A ceiling fan tends to wobble due to small differences in weight between the blades. However, most fans come with a balance kit, which contains weights that can be attached to the blades to adjust their weight for proper balance.
Que. What should I look for in a ceiling fan that I plan to use in an outdoor area?
Ans. To ensure the fan can be exposed to moisture or high humidity, look for a fan that is rated damp or wet to protect the motor.