Of course, that’s not even considering questions of style. The right fan will not only offer you the features and functionality you need to stay cool, it will also serve as a crucial element of your home design.
Here’s what you need to know to get the right fan for your space.
Get the Proportions Right
The most important thing you need to know about buying a new ceiling fan is that fans need to be sized properly for the space they’re in. Fans are sized according to the sweep of their blades. They can be as small as 29 inches (or smaller), and as big as 80 inches (or bigger).
If a fan is too small for the space it’s in, it won’t be able to circulate air effectively. If it’s too big, it will circulate too much air, and that’s uncomfortable, too.
- If you’re hanging your new fan in a small room, say a bathroom or other small space less than 100 square feet, you need a 29- to 36-inch fan.
- If you’re hanging the new fan in a bedroom, kitchen, or dining room of 100 to 150 square feet, you need a 40- to 50-inch fan.
- For family rooms and great rooms of 150 to 350 square feet, you need a 52- to 60-inch fan.
- For rooms larger than 350 feet, you need a fan larger than 60 inches.
Measure Your Ceiling Height
Ceiling height is also important when it comes to choosing a ceiling fan, because some fans are designed to hang down from the ceiling while others are designed to hug the ceiling. Choose a flush-mount fan if you have low ceilings under nine feet tall.
If your ceilings are nine feet or taller, choose a fan with a downrod and buy a downrod extension if you need it to lower your fan to the desired height, seven to nine feet off the floor.
Choose a Damp- or Wet-Rated Fan as Needed
If you’re hanging a fan where it might be exposed to moisture and humidity, such as in a kitchen or bathroom, you need a damp-rated fan. A dry-rated fan will not stand up to the moisture it will encounter in a kitchen or bathroom, especially if you take steamy showers and cook a lot.
If you’re hanging a ceiling fan outdoors, above a porch or patio, for example, you need to buy a wet-rated fan. Even if the fan is sheltered, water can still get into it and a dry- or damp-rated fan will not stand up to the conditions ceiling fans face outside.
If you live in a coastal area, consider a marine-rated fan, as they are more resistant to salty sea winds.
Compare Fan Motor Types
There are two basic motor types that ceiling fans come with: AC or DC. Fans with AC motors are more affordable, and while they might make a little more noise than fans with DC motors, they can run faithfully for years.
Fans with DC motors are more energy-efficient, quieter, and more powerful. They may also offer more speed settings than fans with AC motors.
Get Your Fan Features
These days you can buy a smart ceiling fan with a laundry list of features – smart connectivity, automated scheduling, temperature sensing, and more.
If you want to schedule when your fan runs or control your fan from your smart home device or smartphone, you should look at smart fans.
You can turn your smart fan on and off from wherever you are, or control it with your voice using your smart home device. You can set it to run on a schedule. It can even turn itself on automatically when the room reaches a certain temperature.
Of course, you might be happy with a more basic fan for a bathroom or bedroom. Standard fan features should include at least three speed settings, a light fixture, and a motor reversal switch.
Go for Style
You’ll definitely want to choose a fan that matches your home decor. Whether you have a more traditional design aesthetic or you’re looking for something unique, you’ll have plenty of options from today’s online retailers and big box stores.
other related articles of interest:
7 Home Renovations to Make your House Energy Efficient this Fall
Grab a palm-leaf fan for a laid-back, coastal look, a dual ceiling fan for a fun steampunk aesthetic, or a chandelier fan to offset your Parisian decor.
Choosing a ceiling fan for your home can definitely feel overwhelming. Consider what features and functionality you need in a fan, and then narrow down your choices based on style and price.
You might be surprised at how easy it is to find the ceiling fan of your dreams!
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