Ceiling fans are a great way to cool your living or workspace. They provide a gentle ambient noise and effective, directed cooling. This article will go over the various considerations to keep in mind so that you don’t have to sweat – literally or otherwise!

Controls

Ceiling fans can be controlled in different ways. The vast majority of fans come with a wall-mounted box. It is similar to the function of a light switch. This box allows you to change the speed of the fan, and more sophisticated ones allow you to do even more.

If you are faced with the option of choosing this kind of control, you should ensure that the box has a functional and durable capacitor. That way, it will not cause bad issues during use. You should also ensure that it is noiseless.

If you do not want a box controlled ceiling, you have other options available to you. Some fans have a pull-down switch attached to the ceiling fan. You can use this switch to turn on the fan or adjust the speed settings.

Of all the control options, the most sophisticated and sometimes the most expensive option is the remote control option. The remote controls let you control so much more. From fan speed to fan direction and even timers, these ceiling fans are technologically impressive.

Mounting Option

This is another important factor you need to consider. Although ceiling fans are hung from the ceiling (obviously), there are different ways of hanging them. Here are the types of ceiling fans based on the mounting method.

Ceiling Fans on Angled Ceilings

Some ceilings are unlike conventional parallel ceilings. They are constructed at an angle. Therefore, not just any ceiling fan can be installed on them. If you have this type of ceiling, you need a ceiling fan that has an angled ceiling adapter. This will allow you to install the fan safely. Aside from angled adapters, some fans come with down rods that are angled. With these down rods, you do not need any special adapters to hang your ceiling fan.

Down Rod Ceiling Fans

These ceiling fans come with down rods. Down rods are the lengths of metal or other durable material that is attached to the ceiling and attached to the fan. They come in different lengths, and you will be wise to check the distance of your ceiling to the ground before using a down rod ceiling fan.

Hugger/ Flush Mount Ceiling Fans

These ceiling fans are, as the name implies, flush with the ceiling. They are especially useful for low ceilings (<8 ft.).  They do not have down rods but are just a few inches from the ceiling.

Close Ceiling Fans

These fans are a blend between flush mount ceiling fans and ceiling fans with down rods. They have down rods, but these down rods are shorter than your average down rod (2-5 inches). If your ceiling is around 9 ft. then these are ideal.

Size

A very important factor in choosing a ceiling fan is the size, both of the fan and space it will fit. 

It does not make any sense mounting a 78” ceiling fan in a room with low ceiling height. It also does not make sense buying a small fan with low air flow efficiency in a spacious room.

Thus, measure out your space and take note of the size of the fan.

Price

In most cases, the more expensive a fan is, the better the performance. However, you should not base your entire decision on price. For example, some fans might be worth a lot of money, not because of better performance, but because the fan has some feature that ultimately is of zero use to you.

Noise

The noise a fan produces should be an important factor to consider. For instance, if you are planning to place the ceiling fan in your bedroom, it would be counterproductive to buy a fan that makes so much noise you can’t sleep.

Thus, give attention to the level of noise a fan produces during operation.

Aesthetics

Although this does not impact the actual performance of the fan, this factor determines how good it looks in your room. 

This factor affects not just the design of the fan, but also external factors like the color of your wall, the type of furniture you have and a load of other décor factors.

Durability

There is no use buying a cheap fan only for it to stop working or have parts breaking down in a few weeks. Aside from costing you more, it is also very frustrating. 

Therefore, with regards to this factor, you have to seriously analyze the quality of the build of the ceiling fan. You need to check out how strong it appears and the level of care put into manufacturing the fan.

It is also smart to consider the warranties that the fan might have. If a ceiling fan does not have any warranty, this is a red flag. It likely means that the manufacturer is not convinced of the quality of the product.

Some ceiling fans come with a lifetime warranty for the motor of the ceiling fan and varying warranties for the other parts of the fan.

Specifications

The specifications of a ceiling are an indicator of what it can do. Although specifications can sometimes be deceiving, it is still an important factor to consider.

Brand

Reputable brands are more likely to create products that deliver excellent and durable performance. They also offer warranties better than lesser-known manufacturers.

Furthermore, in cases where you need to replace parts, it is easier to find the parts of ceiling fans from popular brands.

Benefits of a Ceiling Fan

Although it is true that there are other options to ceiling fans for keeping you cold in hot weather, these appliances still have distinct advantages. In this section, we will consider some of these benefits.

They Save Energy

You cannot compare the amount of energy a fan uses with that consumed by an air conditioning unit. Although they do not exactly cool a room as an air conditioning unit does, they can make the room feel cooler.

By using these appliances, you can chop off a large chunk of your utility bill every month.

Stylish

Air conditioning units might come in different colors and designs, but they are limited when compared with ceiling fans. These fans add a whole new dimension to the way your room looks. These come in different styles, shapes, themes, and so on.

A great interior decorator can make the ceiling fan the focal point of decorations and make it vastly improve the appearance of the space.

Versatility

The ceiling fan can be used all year round. There are ceiling fans with reversible blades that rotate anti-clockwise. These kinds of ceiling fans can blow warm air even in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Benefits of Ceiling Fans?

Yes, they do! They help you reduce your utility bills, can be used all year long, and they can add beauty to your space.

What Is a Reversible Ceiling Fan?

These fans are fans that reverse the direction of airflow. They act by sucking air instead of pushing it. This is especially useful in cold weather. Using a reversible airflow action, the ceiling fan can make the room feel warmer than it actually is. And they work! However, to fully enjoy these fans, they are best used with a heater in the room. You can rest assured it will make you feel cozy even in the dead of winter.

Where Can I Install the Ceiling Fan?

You can place these fans wherever you want, as long as there is a ceiling to hang it from. From your kitchen to your bedroom to the living room, there is almost no place you can’t install them.

Final Thoughts

Ceiling fans are very useful, cheap and ambient appliances that can cut down on you’re A/C costs while also adding a pleasant decorative feature to a space. By keeping the above in mind you’ll be able to choose a ceiling fan that fits your needs.