For those in warmer climates, a fan is essential to staying comfortable during the summer. Ceiling fans are a great option for saving floor space and getting airflow to a whole room. You can even hit a switch on most ceiling fans that change the direction they spin. This means that a ceiling fan can push down hot air trapped on your ceiling during the winter and make your whole room feel warmer. If you're in the market to add a ceiling fan to your home, there are things to consider. You need to think about your room size as well as what look you'd like to match your interior decorations. Ceiling fans come in many sizes and styles that can fit any room or aesthetic.
The right size of ceiling fan will depend on your room. The first thing to decide on depends on the height of your room. You want your ceiling fan to be about 8 or 9 feet from the floor. If your ceiling is this height or lower, you need a flush-mount fan. If your ceiling is higher, you need an appropriate size of downrod. As for the size of the fan, that depends on the size of a room. Calculate your square footage by multiplying the wall lengths by each other. Energy Star recommends the following fan sizes.
For longer rectangular rooms, you may want 2 fans to help with the airflow.
Airflow is how much air your ceiling fan can move on high. It's measured in cubic feet per minute abbreviated as CFM. This is divided by the watts your motor uses to determine how efficient your fan is. The higher the CFM, the more energy-efficient your fan is and the more air it moves. A graphic that lists the airflow efficiency and electricity use is required on all boxes, brochures, and other advertising material. This lets you easily compare fans in the store directly to one another. You may be wondering what is considered a good rating. For a fan running on high:
A higher rated fan will help you feel cooler, save energy by taking pressure off your air conditioner, and give you greater air circulation.
You can either choose to have your fan installed by a professional or do it yourself if you feel you can handle carrying up to 40 pounds and can easily work above your head. Make sure you know how to do electrical work as well. If you aren't replacing an existing fan or ceiling light, it might be best to have a professional do the work to ensure your ceiling fan is up to code.
You need to pick the right spot for your ceiling fan. You need a minimum of 18 inches of clearance between the fan blades and any obstructions. You also want your fan to be a minimum of 7 feet off the floor, but 8 feet is better for airflow. If your ceiling is higher than this, use a downrod. The general rule is 6 additional inches of downrod for everything over 9 feet.
You should make sure your existing ceiling electrical box is rated to take ceiling fans. This will be printed on the inside. If it isn't, or you aren't sure, buy and install a new one. Also, make sure you turn off the electricity at the breaker box and wall switch, and be sure to test it with a circuit tester.
After this, you just need to follow the instructions included with your fan. Most fans include easy instructions, and you can buy fans designed for quick and easy installation. Otherwise, many home improvement stores and fan manufacturers have easy to follow tutorial videos so you can see exactly what you need to do.
