What You Need to Know When Buying a Ceiling Fan

Choosing a ceiling fan may seem simple, but there are many things you should know to ensure it’s really a breeze. Every bit of breeze is important within the heat of summer. A ceiling fan will not only increase your personal comfort but in addition reduce your monthly utility costs by supplementing (as well as substituting for) your hardworking air conditioning unit.

What You Need to Know When Buying a Ceiling Fan

To reap the complete benefits associated with your room’s soon-to-be new addition, you should know the way to select and place a winner. Getting answers to these questions prior to deciding to select a ceiling fan will assist match you to a model that will meet all of your current needs.
What size fan do I need?

The number and length of blades with a ceiling fan determine how much air the fan can move. For an average size bedroom of approximately 12 feet by 12 feet, an average four-blade fan with a blade length of 42 inches is adequate.

For bigger rooms, opt for a wider and longer blade, for instance a 52-inch span, to provide better air movement.

Standard ceiling fans include four blades, but some models feature five or even six – more blades means greater air movement. If you would like increased circulation while not having to buy a larger (and likely pricier) fan, look for a fan with five or more blades that’s still within your budget.

How low should the fan hang from the ceiling?

You want at least 7 feet of clearance from the floor to the fan blades.

Needless to say, ceilings vary in heights and styles, therefore the same ceiling fan that works in a vaulted room will hang way too low in a room having an 8-foot-high ceiling.

Fortunately, fan manufacturers accommodate the wide variety of room heights by creating two basic configurations: standard and ceiling-hugger models.

The standard model includes a 6- or 8-inch-long downrod that extends from the fan’s ceiling bracket to the top of the motor housing – ideal for ceilings that are 8 feet high or so. Higher ceilings might need additional extension rods to lower the fan to a more useful height.
For lower ceiling heights, a ceiling-hugger or flush-mount model has the fan closer to the ceiling so as to provide adequate head clearance.

Check the box for the listed “installed distance,” or the amount of space between the ceiling and the blades. This should help you determine the remaining clearance beneath the fan.

How much do I want to save on utility bills?

If lowering utility costs is a leading basis for installing a ceiling fan, purchase a model that bears an Energy Star label. These items feature motors that operate 60 percent more efficiently than conventional units, which may help you save over $15 a year on electric bills.

These models likewise incorporate the functionality to switch blade directions once the seasons change (i.e., counterclockwise in summer for a comfortable breeze, and clockwise in the winter to force heat from along the ceiling downward into the living space).

Care for an overhead light?

Just because the box for the ceiling fan depicts a product complete with lights doesn’t mean that a light kit comes included.

Unless the packaging specifies that the unit is a combination fan-and-light, you’ll probably have to purchase a light kit separately. Along the same lines, if the box shows simply a fan, that particular model might not accept a light kit. Look at the fine print before purchasing.

How do you install a ceiling fan?

A DIY installation may or may not be simple or possible, dependant upon where you live. In many communities, a handy homeowner can legally hang a ceiling fan in their home.

However, some cities require an electrical permit or perhaps that a licensed electrician do the work. Make sure to check with your local building authority prior to starting.

Got the go-ahead? You’ll discover a wiring diagram, wiring instructions, and fan assembly instructions in the box to assist you. Replacing a light fixture or older ceiling fan with a new model make use of existing wiring.

If you’re introducing a whole new ceiling fan where there wasn’t one before, be aware that you’ll have to cut through walls and/or ceilings to add the necessary wiring – an extra complication which might persuade you to hire a professional.

Large, heavy fans may require additional support blocking in the ceiling joists in order to hold their weight.
Will the fan rattle?

When installed correctly, it’s rare for the modern ceiling fan to wobble. But that’s not to say it never happens.

In the event your fan begins to shake as it spins, a balancing kit complete with clips and weights can be a quick fix. Your model could possibly have even included one for future use. Otherwise, you are able to purchase one wherever you purchased the fan for about $5.

Looking for your new home here in the Tampa Bay and Surrounding areas? Nick & Cindy Davis have assisted hundreds of families find their new home. When you are ready to get started, you can always call us at 813-300-7116 or simply click here and we will be in touch.

Take a look at a few of the most recent homes that came on the market here in the Tampa Area.

List View
Map View
Grid View

5221 Bayshore Boulevard #18, Tampa, FL

5221 Bayshore Boulevard #18
Tampa, FL

$175,000
- Lot Size
  
  2.00 ac
- Home Size
  
  644 sqft
- Beds
  
  1 Bed
- Baths
  
  1 Bath
- Year Built
  
  1976
- Days on Market
  
  1
View Virtual Tour