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Ceiling Fans & Choosing and Purchasing

When shopping a ceiling fan, equate features as its size and the size of the blades, the noise it produces, the type of motors, fans for bathrooms or patios, the controls, the grades, the motor house, the lighting, the price or the Energy Star ratings…

The size of the fan

Ceiling fans come in different sizes, and larger ceiling fans can obviously move more air than smaller fans.

For very small rooms (with dimensions up to 75m2) you may buy a 29-36” fan size.

For small rooms up to 144 ft2 you may get a 36 or a 44-inch diameter fan. These fans will cool rooms up to around 200-220 square feet (small and medium-sized fans provide efficient cooling in a 4 to 6 foot diameter area).

If the room where you want to put the ceiling fan is larger, get a 50-54” fan size.

Ps:
References given by American Lighting Association

Large or small blade fans

In rooms where there are objects that shouldn't be disturbed by a fan strong breeze, choose a large blade fan with a lower velocity option: a large blade fan provides the same cooling of a smaller blade fan with a lower velocity.

Noise

Check the noise ratings (through Energy Star or other official label). Before buying the fan, check its noise in operation, if possible.

Ceiling Fan Motor types

Most ceiling fans have 1) a direct-drive motor or 2) a friction-drive motor.

Direct-drive models have fewer separated parts, tend to last longer and... are usually more expensive (they often worth the price, since they tend to run more quietly and to be more efficient).

Ceiling Fans for bathrooms, patios or front porches

Take into account where the fan is going to be placed. Fans can include features such as all weather blades, moisture resistant motors or stainless steel and rust resistant components.

If you want to place a ceiling fan in a humid location as a bathroom, you should purchase a fan with a ‘damp’ rating. If you want to place a fan on a patio, a front porch or other place where fans may come into direct contact with water, search a ‘wet’ rating fan.

Speed control and airflow direction

When buying ceiling fans, choose one with a speed control. Most modern models allow you to set the fan speed with pull-chains or wall control switches.

Most ceiling fans also feature the ability to reverse the motor and airflow direction. Reversing airflow direction is important, since it allows homeowners to use fans all year round: see Year round use of ceiling fans.

If purchasing controls separately of fans, be sure to buy controls that match up with the ceiling fans, taking into account the number of speeds, lamp wattage or maximum amps… Some remote controls should only be used with specific brands.

Ceiling Fans grades

There are usually three grades in ceiling fans: the high, the medium and the low grade. They correspond to different powers and also prices and performances.

High-performance grade: these fans have larger and more performing motors, designed for continuous use. The high-performance grade models tend to run more quietly but are also the most expensive models.

Low-moderate grade: these fans are designed to work for small rooms with low ceilings running up to 8 hours a day maximum. They are the most inexpensive ceiling fans.

Medium grade: these ceiling fans are an intermediate level of fans, suitable for operating up to 12 hours per day.

Blades, motor house and other features

There are details and features that count deeply and may ensure longevity and quiet operation to ceiling fans: the quality of blades, the fans housing, chock-absorbent internal components...

The quality of blades is very important: their weight and balance is crucial, and they should be sealed from moisture, through special coatings or other finishing (to avoid warping, bubbling, peeling…).

Ceiling fans housing (for the fan motor) is another feature you should consider: those made of heavier materials tend to vibrate less and to work quietly…

Fans with lighting

You may buy a ceiling fan with a light kit, which may be integrated into the package or bought separately.

Modern light kit models present diverse designs: armed stemmed designs (pointing toward the ceiling fan or toward the floor), bowl and shade lighting designs and up-light designs (with the light kit sitting on top of the housing and pointing up toward the ceiling).

Most ceiling fans are light kit adaptable, but the compatibility may only apply between the same brand. It may me preferable to choose an universal model: a light kit that can be used on a number of different fan models.

Price

Ceiling fans are rather inexpensive: $200 - $300 qualified ceiling fans are very common, though it all depends of the extras and quality.

Anyway, do not choose the cheapest. A good ceiling fan should operate quietly and reliably, and a more expensive fan will probably offer more trouble-free operation.

More expensive ceiling fans may include crucial features as direct-drive and variable-speed motor, higher grade, remote controls...

Energy Star labels

Look for the Energy Star label in fans (there isn’t yet an equivalent in Europe). Fans with the Energy Star label are qualified and allow higher savings. They have improved motors and improved blades and move air more efficiently.