Ceiling fans are available in a wide range of blade counts, sizes, and styles, so deciding on the best one for your home depends on the dimensions, cooling efficiency, and design elements. Below, we've put together some tips from experts that will assist you in selecting the right free-standing ceiling fan for your requirements.
Get Free Standing Ceiling Fan
This guide will cover the various aspects to consider when buying modern free-standing ceiling fans s such as ceiling height and the mounting options for ceilings with slopes, the dimensions of the fan required for the dimensions of the space, the airflow and CFM requirements, the variation in the length and number of blades, the finishes of ceiling fans and the materials used, and so on.
What Size free-standing ceiling fan Do I Need?
The first thing to think about when choosing the size of a ceiling fan is the dimensions of the space where it will be placed. The size of the room determines how large the ceiling fan should be since the fan that is not big enough or too big for the space is not able to circulate air adequately.
Fans for ceilings are measured using the entire dimension of the blade's span (also known as blade sweep) which is the measurement of the circle that is visible when the blades of the fan are moving. Blade spans of fans extend from the top of one blade to the point of the blade that runs directly across.
After you've measured the space's dimensions Here's a step-by-step overview of what size ceiling fan you should put in the room.
Ceiling Fan Size Guide:
Fan Size Room Size Room Type
29" or under 50 square. feet. Hallway, Laundry Room Walk-In Closet
36'' in size to 75 sq. feet. Breakfast Nook Large Bathroom
42'' and up in size to 100 sq. ft. Bedroom, Office, Kitchen
52'' to 215 sq. ft. Master Bedroom, Dining Room, Patio Area
56'' and up to 400 square. feet. Great Room, Living Room, Great Room
In larger rooms, based on the form and size of your room an alternative option is to install two fans that are smaller.
When determining the dimensions of ceiling fans it is recommended to have a minimum of 18 to 24 inches of space for all sides of the ceiling fan would be recommended.
How do I set my ceiling fan's height? be able to hang?
In order to meet building regulations, the fan's bottom should be at a minimum of seven feet from the floor. Eight to nine feet is sufficient for the best circulation. If you have higher ceilings it is possible to use downrods on the fan to get the ideal height. The more space you have between the ceiling's ceiling blades the more airflow and circulation. Ideally, try to get a minimum of 12 inches.
Rooms with low ceilings that have ceilings of eight feet or less flush mount "hugger" fans are a perfect choice. They are, as their name suggests "hug" on the ceiling in order to create a low profile. To achieve their slim height, flush mount fans don't include downrods in their designs.
High and Average Ceilings If you want to hang a fan at the proper level in a room that has an average ceiling of nine feet or more, an electric free-standing ceiling fan using a downrod is ideal for the job. A downrod can range from 3-to 72 inches and serves as the mechanism that suspends fans from the ceiling. This is the best option since there is more space between fan blades and the ceiling can result in more air circulation.
Fans typically come with two or one downrod that is available in various lengths. However, if a longer length is required to attain the perfect hanging height, extra downrods of different sizes can be bought. For rooms that have a ceiling of 9 feet opt for a ceiling fan with a six" downrod. If ceilings are higher than 9 feet and taller than nine feet, include 6" on the downrod to each foot of the height. For example, 10'' ceiling and 12-foot downrod 11-foot ceiling or the downrod are 18' and so on.
Can I put in a ceiling fan when I have a ceiling that slopes?
Apart from hugger fans, the majority of fan canopies (the part that is attached to the ceiling, and protects the junction box) are able to accommodate a certain amount of slope, usually up to 30 degrees. A longer downrod might be required to allow enough blade clearance. For steeper slopes-or in cases where sloped ceiling installation is explicitly not allowed-manufacturers offer sloped-ceiling adaptors, often called angle mounts.
Do I need a particular roof or junction box to install my fan?
Ceiling fans have to be mounted on junction boxes that say "For Use with Ceiling Fans" as they could weigh up to 50 pounds and move they provide adequate support. The boxes must be fixed onto a ceiling beam and the installation of an electrician who is licensed is recommended.
Do I need to buy an electric ceiling fan that has an illuminated kit?
Begin by determining the amount of light present in the space. Are you in a spacious space that has lots of windows? Or, do the sliding glass doors let sunlight flood in? How many lamps are installed? Are they providing enough light? These are the most important things to take into consideration when deciding whether your fan requires a lighting kit.
If you want to control how much light you can get into an area without the lighting of five different lights and a free-standing ceiling fan equipped with either a light or light kit is the ideal choice. The light kit for ceiling fans offers an ample amount of even light that is suitable for all kinds of rooms. A majority of lighting kits can be used with remotes or wall-mounted dimmers which means that changing the intensity of light is simple as pressing the button.
You might want to consider the possibility of pairing ENERGY STAR Fans with ENERGY STAR light kits as well. They've been shown to be 50percent more efficient than traditional lighting and fan systems, saving the user more than $170 during the lifetime of the fan. The light is energy-efficient and long-lasting, too which means you don't need to replace bulbs often.
Can I utilize a ceiling fan the outdoors?
Yes, so long as the ceiling fan for outdoor use has been damp-or wet-location certified. Ceiling fans with damp ratings are able to handle the humidity that is a part of outdoor air but does not directly contact with rain, water snow, or any other liquids that life outdoors can bring. The damp-rated fans are also equipped with materials that protect against corrosion and rusting from elements outside. They are suitable for areas that are more vulnerable to contact with water. They come with the weather- and water-resistant motor blades and housings, and some come with waterproof lighting kits to give additional illumination outdoors.
Do I need to choose an ENERGY-qualified free-standing ceiling fan that is Star-qualified?
With the rising cost of utilities and the ever-growing challenge to reduce waste, we have to be more technologically innovative. Installing a free-standing ceiling fan that has the ENERGY STAR certification is a sensible alternative that will allow you to reduce waste while reaping an economic benefit.
The EPA has come up with the Energy STAR label to serve two purposes: (1) to recognize appliances that have passed an extensive testing procedure to demonstrate they're efficient as well (2) to help customers to find and buy efficient, energy-efficient products which don't sacrifice quality or comfort.
Furthermore, the ENERGY STAR ceiling fans should come with at least a 30-year motor warranty as well as a 1-year component(s) warranty, and an additional two-year guarantee on lighting kits. On Lumens look out at an ENERGY STAR mark on the fan's page of product information to determine whether it's ENERGY STAR certified.
How does a ceiling air conditioner function?
In the most fundamental sense Ceiling fans work through the rotation of pitched blades. The blades are pitched to create airflows, which result in greater air circulation, aiding in helping "cool" your body. The cooling sensation is obviously, because of the motion from the airflow. While it could increase the efficiency of your HVAC or heating system by moving that heated or cooled air, however, a free-standing ceiling fan itself isn't able to change the temperature of the room.
There are many different elements that affect the performance of a fan. Now you know how to adjust the size of your ceiling fan for the room you live in. The following questions will help you understand how to adjust the pitch of your blade, various methods of controlling the airflow of a fan, and also how much is the airflow, what CFM is, and the reason why DC Motors are becoming more popular.
What is the blade pitch?
A blade's pitch can make an impact on the amount of air the fan circulates throughout the space. The best blade pitch for ceiling fans can be 12-15 degrees.
The pitch of the blade will permit your free-standing ceiling fan blade to carry a "just just" quantity of air...not too excessively (you do not require an air tunnel) and not too much (you must feel a pleasant breeze).
What can I do to manage the fan?
There are three ways to control fans that includes a pull chain, a handheld remote, or even the wall control.
Pull Chain Pull Chain is situated right next to the fan, and offers an easy method of adjusting the speed as well as switching a fan on or off (and the light, if there is one).
Remotes: These are the most practical of all control options for fans. handheld remotes permit the fans to be controlled from any place in the room.
Wall Switch Wall Controls can be as efficient a method to control ceiling fans just as the light switch can be used for the control of a lamp. If they are installed near an entranceway, the possibility of not turning off the fan after leaving the room is significantly diminished.
In certain situations, you could get the combination of the remote control and wall switch combo or a remote that is wall-mounted.
Certain smart ceiling fans are fitted with technology that can work together with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and mobile devices that allow you to get rid of remotes or other controls.
However, installing a remote on an already mounted fan is not as easy as simply installing batteries in the control unit. The receiver used for handheld remotes, as well as the wall-mounted ones, too, need to be mounted within the fan. This may mean that parts of the fan are dismantled and then rebuilt once the receiver has been installed. Most receivers are connected to the electrical wiring that is already present and then placed inside your ceiling's fan's canopy. Once you have it, you will be able to connect the remote to the receiver.
For the wall controls that are available, browse our collection of parts for ceiling fans. If not, look up the information of the model that you're looking to purchase to determine whether it comes with remote control.
What exactly are CFM and the airflow of a ceiling fan?
Airflow measures the quantity of air that a ceiling fan produces which is expressed in CFM which means cubic feet for every minute. CFM measurements are measured when a fan is running at high speed. Then, that amount is divided by Watts utilized. That means the greater the CFM the higher the efficiency of the fan is, as well as the more air it circulates. 75 CFM/W is the minimum that is considered to be efficient, as per Energy Star requirements.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires that every manufacturer of ceiling fans put the following image on their packaging, brochures catalogs, etc. so that you can have a full understanding of the force behind the fan you are using:
Energy Information
at High Speed
Airflow Electricity Use Airflow Efficiency
7.785 Cubic Feet per Minute, 27 Watts (excludes lights) 285 Cubic Feet Per Minute per Watt
At a glance, this data can help you determine the airflow of a free-standing ceiling fan
and its performance. This allows you to evaluate two or more fans with similar dimensions. But which CFM is the best?
At high speed:
Good CFM is between 4,000 and 5 liters
Better options range between 5,000 and 6,000
The best is more than 6,000.
What exactly is what is a DC motor ceiling fan, and what are its advantages?
DC motors are an exciting feature of ceiling fans in the home which generate more torque while taking less than 70 percent of the power of the typical ceiling fan. They accomplish this by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy when they spin.
DC motors have an initial cost that is slightly higher than standard ceiling fans as they require higher-priced electronic speed control. But their advantages far outweigh the cost. They include:
Virtually silent operation
Motors with smaller dimensions result in lighter, smaller fans.
Efficiency in energy usage that extends the lifespan of the fan.
Increased torque results in quicker startup speeds
The possibility of up to six different speeds
In the event that lighting is used, DC fans typically use LEDs that only enhance the efficiency of the fan's energy consumption.
What should I think about when selecting the free-standing ceiling fan blades?
The number of blades for ceilings is usually a major factor when deciding on the type of ceiling fan to buy However, this is now less of a concern of function and more a matter of personal preference due to advances in technology.
It was once the norm that the use of a six or five-blade free-standing ceiling fan could provide greater efficiency than an individual three-blade or four-blade. However, this is no longer the case. Because the CFM is the measurement of the airflow efficiency of a fan that means it is the number of blades that is more akin to the aesthetics of your home. For instance, the four or five-blade free-standing ceiling fan gives an older-fashioned, balanced appearance, while one with three or two blades has a contemporary and contemporary design.