Whether you want to add a ceiling fan to your home for cooling purposes or to circulate warm air during the winter, a well-installed fan can make a difference. The best place to shop for a fan is at a local home improvement or lighting store.
Many stores allow you to see fans in person and have knowledgeable salespeople available.
Style
A wide variety of ceiling fans can fit several decor styles. In addition to their practical function of circulating air, they change the visual appearance of a room and can be a focal point in your design.
Choose a style that coordinates with your living space. Look for a color of wood that matches your flooring or other furniture in the room, and consider hardware finish colors that coordinate with your doorknobs or other metal fixtures.
Many stores sell ceiling fans in various styles, and you can often see them in person to test the noise level and motor performance before making your purchase. Some fans need to be hard-wired and installed by a licensed electrician, so you’ll want to check that the unit meets local building codes and can be wired to your junction box correctly. Other fans can be powered by a wall switch, remote control, or other compatible device and are often easier to install than a light fixture.
Energy Efficiency
When used correctly, Monte Carlo fans for sale Tampa FL offer significant energy-saving benefits and are one of the most cost-effective green upgrades homeowners can make.
Energy-efficient ceiling fans typically use DC motors, which consume up to 70% less electricity than conventional AC motors. They also have smaller fan bodies, are quieter, and are more responsive to remote controls.
When choosing a ceiling fan, pay special attention to the room size and consider whether or not you want to include a light fixture. If you have a low ceiling, choose a model with a “hugger” design that lowers the blades. In rooms with high ceilings, look for a downrod mount to keep the fan at the recommended 7 to 9 feet from the floor.
Design
A ceiling fan isn’t just a way to save energy – it can also be an element of décor, complementing your furniture and accents. Some fans look like light fixtures, and others have custom blade shapes and designs. You can find them at hardware stores, home improvement centers, and online retailers.
The size of your room dictates what kind of ceiling fan you need. Typically, a recommended area is listed, or you can measure the length of one of the fan’s blades to get the diameter (also known as the “blade sweep”). If your room is large, a fan with more than four blades will move air faster and more efficiently. If your ceiling is shallow, choose a hugger or flush-mount fan that mounts next to the ceiling and keeps the blades at an optimal height. Invest in a fan with a remote control that can change direction, speed, and dimming features.
Noise
Fans that make rattling, clicking, or other noises can distract from the peaceful ambiance of a home. Luckily, most high-quality fan manufacturers produce quiet ceiling fans that do not need to make false claims about their quietness since they follow rigorous quality control and engineering standards throughout the manufacturing process.
The motor and blade size are critical factors in selecting a quiet fan. Fans that use DC motors, which have a more compact body and operate at 70% less energy than standard AC motors, are reticent. Also, the lower the blades, the better — fans with more than two blades create turbulence and don’t move as much air.
The size of the room is another essential factor, and it’s recommended that homeowners always use a sizing guide when purchasing a new ceiling fan. The general guidelines are that the fan should be approximately the same size as the room’s square footage, but some people prefer to go one size bigger to ensure a proper fit.