Get the height right. In general, experts say ceiling fans are at an optimal height for air movement when they are 8 to 9 feet above the ground (and at least 12 to 18 inches from the nearest wall). They can be higher, but the blades shouldn’t be less than 7 feet above the ground, for safety. Personal preference, in addition to ceiling height and slope, can affect the mounting type you choose for your ceiling fan. Ceiling fans for low ceilings. For ceilings less than 8 feet tall, choose a hugger or flush-mount ceiling fan. These fans mount next to the ceiling and help maintain the recommended minimum 7-foot clearance between ceiling and floor. Ceiling fans for standard-height ceilings. If the ceiling in your room is about 8 to 9 feet tall, you can most likely use the standard 3- to 5-inch long downrod, the pipe that connects the ceiling fan to the ceiling mounting and that comes with the fan. Ceiling fans for high ceilings. In high-ceiling rooms, longer downrods can bring the fan closer to the optimum hanging height. These extended rods sometimes come with the fan itself or are sold in kits. Lengths range from several inches to several feet. As the downrod gets toward the longer end...
Consider the number and angle of the blades. With today’s models, there isn’t necessarily a right number of blades for a ceiling fan. It’s more of an aesthetic preference than a practical one. When it comes to airflow, the motor and the blade pitch are most important. The American Lighting Association recommends a 12- to 15-degree blade pitch for optimum air movement, although plenty of companies offer ceiling fans with steeper blade angles. “The steeper the pitch, the more air the fan can churn, like a mixer or blender,” Halcovich says.
Room size is the main factor for determining what size ceiling fan you need, although ceiling height can affect it as well. (With taller ceilings, you may want to size up or use multiple fans, as the fan will need to circulate more air.) The following ceiling fan size guide from the American Lighting Association can help you determine which size is right for you. Rooms up to 75 square feet: 36 inches wide or smaller Rooms up to 144 square feet: 36 to 42 inches wide Rooms about 225 square feet: 50 to 54 inches wide Rooms larger than 225 square feet: an oversize fan or multiple ceiling fans How to measure a ceiling fan: Ceiling fan measurements come from their blade span, which is the diameter of the circle their spinning blades create, also called their “sweep.” For a ceiling fan with an even number of blades, measure the fan’s diameter to determine its span. For a ceiling fan with an odd number of blades, measure from the center of the fan to the end of a blade, and multiply by two.
Buy a high-quality motor. A ceiling fan is a hardworking household appliance, and choosing one that will last starts with what’s inside. This is especially important for ceiling fans that will be used often and for hours at a time, such as in bedrooms or living rooms. “Buyers need a high-quality motor with a reverse feature for year-round air circulation,” Mokhtarei says, as well as a limited lifetime warranty. She adds that the answers to her clients’ most common questions — will the ceiling fan wobble, make noise, actually move air? — lie in the fan’s motor. “A good fan will be well-balanced and will not wobble or make noise, even after decades of use,” she says. Mokhtarei and Halcovich both recommend buying a ceiling fan with a DC motor. “These motors use 70 percent less electricity than standard AC motors,” Mokhtarei says. They are quiet, often feature more speed options, have a reverse function on the remote and are generally faster to start, stop and change speed. “These small motors allow for a small fan body but tremendous power,” Halcovich says. A motor with a reverse function enables your ceiling fan to be used year-round. In summer, blades should spin in a counte...
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