You might think that every ceiling fan is the same and pretty much a straightforward concept. After all, you just hang one and it cools your room, right? Not exactly. There’s more to ceiling fans than you might realize! This is especially true if you’ve never bought one before and simply coped with the existing ceiling fans in your house. However, if you are looking for an upgrade or recently moved into a house with no ceiling fans (what’s up with that?) – then you might need some help. Thankfully, we have done all the research so that you don’t have to! So here’s everything you need to know about your ceiling fan:
Size
The first thing that you need to know about ceiling fans is that they come in a variety of different sizes ranging from small, to medium, large, and even huge! Obviously, if you have a small room you are going to want a smaller fan – and if you have a large room, you are going to want a large fan. However, you should still try and calculate the exact size range that determines your ceiling fan size based on your actual room. After you calculate the square footage of your room, follow these tips:
- For rooms that are 75 square feet or less, you need a fan that is 44 inches or smaller
- For rooms that are 74 to 350 square feet, you need a fan that is 48 to 58 inches wide
- For rooms that are over 350 square feet, you need a fan that is at least 60 inches wide
Mounts
While you might think that size is the only thing that you need to calculate – don’t forget about the mounts! For your ceiling fan to really look right in your room, you need to consider your ceiling height and the mount of your ideal ceiling fan. After you measure the height of your ceiling, follow these tips:
- For ceilings that are 7.5 to 9 feet tall, use a hugger mount
- For ceilings that are 8 to 9 feet tall, use a standard mount
- For ceilings that are over 9 feet tall, use an extended downrod mounting
No matter your ceiling height or mount type, you need to make sure that your ceiling fan hangs at least 7 feet from the floor to provide plenty of clearance for even the tallest people!
Motor
Motors are a little less complicated than ceiling fan size and mountings, but they are still important. After all, this is actually why you’re buying the fan! When it comes to ceiling fan motors, there are two different types: AC and DC. Obviously, these letters don’t mean much to you right now, but here’s what you need to know about each type:
- AC ceiling fans: less expensive, reliable, energy-efficient, usually come with three or four speeds
- DC ceiling fans: more efficient than AC motors, quieter than AC motors, more expensive than AC motors, more powerful than AC motors, usually come with six speeds
Clearly, if you are looking for a basic fan then an AC motor will work for you. However, if you are looking for a great fan that’s quiet, efficient, and powerful – then you will want a DC motor.
Lights
Some ceiling fans have lights while others do not. This is something that you need to keep in mind as you are shopping. A ceiling fan is a great way to provide light and airflow to any room. You will still want to make sure that the light feature will pair well with your room and other lighting features based on the design, brightness, and temperature.
Technology
In the year 2020, ceiling fans actually feature some pretty cool technology. You no longer have to operate your fan using an annoying pull chain that was probably invented sometime last century. Some types of ceiling fans come with wall controls that operate your fan similar to light switches. Some other ceiling fans come with handy remote controls that allow you to operate the fan from anywhere in the room. Finally, we have new 21st-century technology that allows you to operate smart fans with a remote control application on your phone! This is great since everyone is constantly on their phones these days, and there’s no need to get up to change the fan speed or even look for the remote control!
Now that you’re a total expert in ceiling fans, you are able to go out there and find the perfect one for any room! Even though you might have to do some work and research beforehand, it’ll definitely be worth it when you find the perfect fan for your room. At the end of the day, always consider your room, your style, and your needs when it comes to buying the perfect ceiling fan.