Stay cool in style
You probably already know all the perks of adding a ceiling fan. It can help cool your home down without running your AC unit and also help you light up a room—literally.
If you’re in the market for a ceiling fan, you can take advantage of the many options available to fit any need and design style. However, all of those options can also be a little overwhelming. Never fear: From sizing to costs, here are the main things to consider when choosing a ceiling fan.
The best place to start is by figuring out if you need a specific type of ceiling fan. You should think about your home’s current decor and color palette, and if there are any special features you’d like in your new fan.
Of the seven most common types of ceiling fans, the most basic type is the standard, as you can probably tell from its name. It has a downrod that connects the fan brackets to the motor. The blades are under, on the side, or on the top of the motor.
Be sure to install wet-rated or damp-rated ceiling fans for your outdoor areas like porches and gazebos. Unlike fans for indoor use, these withstand moisture, humidity, and other harsh conditions.
Both options tend to have a sleek, simple design. Unlike indoor ceiling fans, there are more options for outdoor use that don’t have light kits, so be sure to keep some lanterns handy on your back porch.
Wet-rated fans are waterproof and ideal for any rainy area. Damp-rated fans can handle humidity rather than downpours and are best for well-covered outdoor spots.
Energy Star-rated ceiling fans are known to be 40% more energy efficient than regular fans. These are specially designed with advanced motors and blades, so they can cost more.
If you’re up on the latest tech, you’ll probably want to opt for a smart ceiling fan. You can choose one that syncs up to your virtual assistant to use voice control to turn it on and off, set timers, and change the setting and lighting. Your fan may also have temperature and humidity sensors to adjust its speed automatically. Some wall controllers can integrate with your smart thermostat, which is a huge bonus.
Many units also have LED lighting and a modern, sleek look. As you might imagine, with all these perks usually comes a higher price tag. Smart ceiling fans tend to cost more than standard fans.
If you have a barndominium or an extra-large metal building, you might do well to install a commercial-grade ceiling fan. These are best for tall ceilings from 10 to 25 feet. Commercial fans have enough power to cool down areas with large square footage. These are more costly than typical household ceiling fans, but keeping cool is worth it.
It’s important to choose the right ceiling fan size to make sure that it can properly cool your room. Fortunately, you can quickly figure out what you need by understanding the importance of the ceiling fan blade size, the square footage of your room, and the meaning of “CFM.”
If you’re wondering what size ceiling fan you need for your room, you’ll need to start by figuring out the square footage of the space. That measurement will help you choose a blade length that’s able to keep the air flowing.
| Room Size by Square Feet | Ceiling Fan Blade Size (inches) |
|---|---|
| Less than 50 | 29 or less |
| 50 – 75 | 29 – 36 |
| 75 – 100 | 36 – 42 |
| 100 – 225 | 42 – 52 |
| 225 – 400 | 56 – 62 |
You can also choose fans by its Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM). CFM is the amount of air that the fan can move in one minute. Generally speaking, the CFM is higher for fans with longer blades at steeper pitches.
| Room Size | Recommended Ceiling Fan CFM |
|---|---|
| Less than 200 sq. ft. | 2000 – 3000 |
| 200 – 300 sq. ft. | 3000 – 4000 |
| 300 – 450 sq. ft. | 4000 – 6000 |
| More than 450 sq. ft. | 5000 – 9000 |
Ceiling fans are incredibly versatile, and you can install them pretty much anywhere in your home. We’ve rounded up a few pros, tips, and tricks for installing a ceiling fan in different rooms.
If you need to add a ceiling light to your bedroom, consider opting for a ceiling fan with a lighting kit. The extra cooling power from the fan is sure to keep you more comfortable in the hot summer months, especially if you don’t have a central AC system.
Just like in the bedroom, adding a ceiling fan with a light kit in your living room can be great for brightening up the room. Your living room ceiling fan will be a focal point of the room, so you should choose a fan that fits in with the rest of your decor.
Installing a ceiling fan in your kitchen will help you with the air ventilation while also helping keep away pesky bugs. It’s useful for keeping your kitchen from getting overly smoky or stinky if you just so happen to burn dinner (we won’t tell).
Depending on the weather in your area and what type of outdoor structure you have, you’ll need to look for wet-rated or damp-rated fans to use outdoors. Ceiling fans can help keep your outdoor seating area free of flying bugs and provide a bit of comfort on those sweltering days.
Now that you’ve figured out the type of fan you want, the ideal size, and the rooms where you’ll want them, here’s the fun part: choosing a design. There are tons of different options available, so if you can imagine it, there’s probably something that’ll fit your needs.
There are many types of finishes for your ceiling fan’s mount. It’s a big part of your fan’s aesthetic, so you’ll want to choose wisely. Some of the most common types are:
Bronze
Nickel (brushed nickel, stained nickel)
Chrome
White
Black
Brown
Steel (brushed, galvanized)
In addition, some of these options, like the metal finishes, mimic other materials like weathered barn tin or wood.
Although most fans have three to eight blades, some fans have a whopping 15 blades on them. Fans with more than nine blades are typically a “windmill” style. As you probably guessed, these fans mimic windmills in appearance. These fans are ideal for larger rooms with high ceilings because the high number of blades helps to circulate the air very well, not just right below the fan but in the whole room.
Fans with a higher number of blades typically have steeper pitches (30 degrees), while fans with a smaller number of blades can have 14-degree pitches. Generally speaking, the steeper the blade pitches, the more it circulates the air.
Common blade materials include:
Plywood
Brushed Aluminum
Dark Walnut
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Some blades are also retractable, perfect if you don’t need the fan all year long. Ceiling fans with dome-style or chandelier-style lights are available with retractable blades.
And if you’re looking for something truly unconventional, you can look for ceiling fans with unique blade shapes. For example, there are blades shaped like palm leaves to give your home a beachy feel. Some fans come with reversible blades with two different tones of colors on either side, letting you switch up the look.
Although older ceiling fans all came with pull chains, modern versions may or may not come with chains. If your ceiling fan comes sans chains, you likely operate it via remote or sometimes wall controls. In addition to physical remotes, you may be able to download an app to turn your devices into a remote.
There are three main ceiling fan mount types available. Some fans will come with adapters for a couple of these options, or you may have to purchase them separately.
Flush-mounted: These are also known as low-profile or hugger fans. Instead of being attached to a downrod, flush-mounted fans attach directly to a mounting bracket. You might choose a flush-mounted fan if your ceiling is low. The one downside is that because there’s less space between the fan and the ceiling, it doesn’t cool the room as well as fans with a downrod.
Downrod: Fans can come with different lengths of downrods, so you can choose which one suits your room best. For lower ceiling fans, use the longer downrod.
Angled: If you have an angled ceiling (which is common with vaulted or lofted ceilings), look for fans with angled mounts.
If you’re looking for more power, look for dual-motor fans. These have two motors, and you can set each motor at different speeds. You can also maximize the airflow by adjusting the blades.
There are also AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) motors. DC motors are more efficient than AC motors, so keep that in mind when buying as well.
Although the main purpose of a ceiling fan is to cool your room, the light can be just as important. After all, who likes a badly lit room? Here are some common light options available for ceiling fans.
You’ll find that many ceiling fans offer LED lighting. Depending on the maker, the light can have more than 15 dimmable levels with multi-color options.
Chandelier ceiling fans have a small chandelier-style light in the center that adds glitz and glamor to any room. Choose from a multi-tiered chandelier or a single-tiered chandelier. If you’re looking for something truly eye-catching, opt for a “fandelier,” which houses the fan blades inside a crystal-studded housing.
Dome-style lights offer a sleek and simple light in the center. These can come with frosted glass covers or plastic covers that mimic frosted glass. The latter is a safer option if you want to install a fan in your child’s bedroom or nursery.
Caged lights lend an industrial vibe. You can find single-light fans or fans with multiple caged lights. The cage portion is typically black, while the blades can come in a variety of colors.
Drum-style ceiling fans can come with or without a light. The fan is enclosed in a metal cage design, and the light is attached to the top.
Edison-style lights add a vintage, industrial look to your room. The lights can be exposed with complementary clear mason glass-inspired covers or enclosed in black cage covers.
If your room already has plenty of lighting or if you want a fan outdoors, there’s a good chance you might not want any lights on your fan. You can buy a fan-only option or simply install the fan without the light kit. If you choose the latter option, you’ll have the option of adding the light if you change your mind.
Once you pick a ceiling fan, you’ll need to work to get it, well, on your ceiling. The cost of installing a ceiling fan will vary depending on the fan style and whether you hire someone to do the work. The unit costs $50 to $1,400, and labor costs $50 to $600 based on the complexity of the job.
If you’re a DIYer with electrical experience, you might be able to install a ceiling fan yourself.
On the other hand, there are some instances when it’s best to call a local ceiling fan installer or a handyperson near you to do the work for you, especially if you don’t have any prior electrical experience, or the installation requires complex wiring. In that case, hiring a pro will help give you peace of mind and free up your Saturday. A win-win.
