Factors to Consider Before Buying a Ceiling Fan

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A fan is a functional and decorative focal point for any room.  Before buying a fan, there are many factors to consider.

Décor: Ceiling fans are available in a wide variety of styles.  Manufacturers have recognized the popularity of fans and have responded with sleek and versatile designs.  Styles run the gamut from rustic, to juvenile, to ultra modern.

Ceiling Height:  A room with an 8 foot ceiling should have a fan that hangs down no more than seven feet from the ground.  Consider a hugger fan for this application. For higher ceilings, the fan should be placed eight or nine feet from the floor.  The higher the fan, the less air will circulate throughout the room.  Extra downrods are available for most fans up to 72 inches in length.

Room Size: A 52 inch fan is standard and will move enough air to cover 400 feet.   For small bedrooms, nooks or hallways a small fan would be sufficient.  For larger rooms, use either a fan with a larger sweep consider two fans.

Function:  If you plan to use your ceiling fan all year, make sure the fan has a reverse function.   In the summer, to circulate cool air, the blades should rotate counter clockwise.  In the winter months a clockwise rotation will push warm air downward. Blade pitch, the angle of the blades relative to the fan, is also a consideration when shopping for your fan.  For instance, a fan with a pitch of 15 degrees will move more air than a fan with a pitch of 10 degrees.

Light:  Many fans are light kit adaptable, but will only accept components within the same brand.  Be sure that you light kit is compatible with the fan that you select.  As of 2007, the government has placed wattage restrictions on light kits.  The maximum wattage for a light kit is 190 watts.  Medium base sockets have been replaced by intermediate and candelabra based sockets.  Because of these new restrictions, compact fluorescent light kits are becoming increasingly common.  If you are unsure about using a light kit, one can always be added at a later date if your fan is light kit adaptable.

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