How to Buy the Right-Sized Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are an economical and easy way to make your home more comfortable. While they won't significantly alter a room's temperature, they can help to circulate cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. Before you buy a ceiling fan, you'll first need to take some steps to determine the right-sized fan for your room.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Money

1. Measure the square footage of the room to get an idea of the right-sized ceiling fan for the space. To get the square footage of a room, use a tape measure to determine the length and width of the room. Then, multiply those two figures together.

2. Measure the specific space in which the fan will be hung. You'll need to know whether the space will accommodate standard-length fan blades, or whether you should look for a fan with shorter blades. Most ceiling fans come with blades between 29 and 52 inches in length.

3. Buy a ceiling fan system with a standard mounting system for rooms with normal dimensions. Ideally, a fan should be hung between 8 and 9 inches from the floor. A standard mounting system will come with a 3- to 5-inch "downrod," from which the fan can be suspended.

4. Buy a flush mount system to install a ceiling fan in a room with low ceilings. Flush mounts, or "hugger mounts," can be used to install a fan so that it's held firmly against the ceiling.

5. Ask a sales professional for advice on extra downrods in the event that your ceilings are higher than the average home's are. Downrods can be purchased to hang a fan from a ceiling as high as 20 feet.

6. Consult the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Star website for more detailed information on how to select the right-sized ceiling fan (see Resources below). In addition to charts and tips, you can find suggestions on ways to make your ceiling fan energy efficient.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're planning to install a ceiling fan in a room that's exposed to moisture, you'll need to buy a fan with a "damp" rating. These fans have features such as sealed mechanics, stainless steel construction and rustproof hardware to protect against water damage. Use a fan with a high damp rating to circulate air in a bathroom or screened-in patio.
• For maximum safety, a fan should be installed at a ceiling joist. If a joist isn't convenient, you may have to buy a specially designed mounting bracket.

[jull14]

on 6/22/2009 A very interesting article and very helpful, I hope that you write more like this one, thanks for helping us.