Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans circulate the air within a room to aid in the ventilation and conditioning of a room. They can be used in the summer to cool a room as well as during the winter to help better distribute the hot air in the room by forcing it back down to area of the room that is inhabited.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans circulate the air within a room to aid in the ventilation and conditioning of a room. They can be used in the summer to cool a room as well as during the winter to help better distribute the hot air in the room by forcing it back down to area of the room that is inhabited.

Quick Links:
How to buy?
What are my options?
Energy Saving Tips
How much can I save?

How To Buy?

Ceiling fan blade spans range from 29 – 54 inches - the most popular being the 52-inch model. To determine which size you need, measure the room where the ceiling fan will be installed and follow these guidelines:

Choosing the Appropriate Mounting System

Ceiling fans should be installed, or mounted, in the middle of the room and at least 7 feet above the floor and 18 inches from the walls. If ceiling height allows, install the fan 8 - 9 feet above the floor for optimal airflow.

• Standard mounts come with a 3 – 5 inch downrod, which is the metal pipe that extends from the ceiling bracket to the top of the fan. Downrods are usually either 1/2 or 3/4-inch in diameter.
• Extended mounts can be used to hang the ceiling fan at the desired 8– 9 feet from the floor for tall ceiling heights. Downrods can be purchased from 6 inches (9 ft ceiling) to 120 inches (20 ft ceiling). Check with the manufacturer or sales associate to determine the right downrod length for you.
• Flush mounts anchor the fan directly against the ceiling. Most standard fans can be installed as a flush mount however, many manufacturers sell “hugger” or “low profile” ceiling fans that are specifically designed for this purpose. Hugger fans are ideal for rooms that have ceilings under 8 feet in height or in situations where a fan with optional light would hang down too low. Hugger fans will not move as much air as a regular fan because the blades are closer to the ceiling.
• Sloped mounts are used for angled or vaulted ceilings.

See Ceiling Fan Installation and Usage Tips for more information about mounting the ceiling fan.

Wet/Damp Rating. Placing a ceiling fan in a bathroom or other humid locations? Purchase a fan that has been UL listed with a “damp” rating. For fans that may come in direct contact with water, like on a patio or front porch, look for a UL “wet” rating. These fans include features such as sealed/moisture resistant motors, rust resistant housing, stainless steel hardware, and all weather blades.

Back to top

What Are My Options?

1. Light Kits.There are many choices of ceiling fan light kits.

• Branched, or stemmed, light kits usually come with 3 or 4 “arms” and can either point up toward the ceiling fan or down toward the floor.
• Bowl light kits can either be directly attached to the ceiling fan housing (i.e., integral), or attached below the fan. Bowl and shade designs range from clear to alabaster, crystal, or tiffany - the fancier the glass design, the more expensive. Nearly all ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fan light fixtures use bowl lighting.
• Uplight designs are also becoming more popular. where the light kit sits on top of the housing and point up toward the ceiling, casting a softer light throughout the room

Ceiling fan light kits can be purchased three different ways: (1) integrated into the fan, (2) included with the fan at the time of purchase, or (3) sold separately. Many of the light kits that are sold separately are “universal,” meaning that they can be used on a number of different fan models. Similarly, most ceiling fans are light kit adaptable. However, there are many cases where compatibility is only between light kits and ceiling fans under the same brand. Information regarding light kit/ceiling fan compatibility should be found on the product packaging.

2. Remote and Wall Controls. Standard controls for the ceiling fan motor include a pull chain attached to the housing (two if lighting is included), and a motor reversing switch on the lower, or switch, housing. However, many manufacturers offer remote or wall controls either sold with the model or as an accessory. Most ceiling fans have a 3-speed switch in the housing and as such, most ceiling fan wall controls complement this set-up. When choosing a wall control for a fan/light combination, make sure to choose one that operates each function separately and can operate the fan at 3 or 4 distinct speeds. Using a conventional dimmer switch to run the fan could cause the ceiling fan motor to hum. When you choose an ENERGY STAR qualified fan with lighting or an ENERGY STAR qualified light kit, and you wish to use it with a dimmer, make sure the packaging indicates that the lighting is dimmable.

Be sure to look for controls that match up with your ceiling fan: maximum amps, number of speeds, total lamp wattage, and brand. Some of the remote and wall controls work with a number of different ceiling fan brands; however, there are some remotes that should only be used with specific brands. Check with the sales associate and/or the product packaging if purchasing the controls separately.

3. Purchasing Choices. Ceiling fans are sold in many different distribution channels: lighting and builder showrooms, national retail chains, hardware stores, and electrical distributors. Showrooms offer consumers many different brands, finishes, blade types, and light kit options. Here, each consumer may essentially design his or her own fan. Retail chains and hardware stores usually offer a number of different choices in completed fans, with or without lighting, and light kits.

Back to top

Energy Saving Tips

While ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fans use improved motors and blade designs, you can dramatically increase your savings with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting. If your fan doesn't include lighting, be sure to purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified light kit. This lighting is efficient and long lasting, so you won't have to make frequent bulb changes.

Back to top

How much can I save?

Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. This can save you more than $15 per year on utility bills.

Back to top