Here’s What You Need to Know About Choosing a New Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans can really make a difference in how comfortable your house feels -- they’re a must in hot regions like the South and Southwest. But whether you’re installing fans for the first time, or you’re ready to replace your old, dated ones, choosing new fans can feel overwhelming.

There are so many sizes and styles of fan available -- and these days, functionality has improved, too. You can get smart ceiling fans and remote-controlled fans -- no longer are you stuck with just the pull cord that turns your fan on and off and adjusts the speed. Of course, you can also get fans with and without light fixtures built-in, for rooms that need the extra illumination.

Get the Right Size

Perhaps the most important part of getting a new fan is getting the right size unit. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the room’s square footage, the larger your new fan should be. Small rooms of 75 square feet or less, like bathrooms and mudrooms, only need a fan size of 29 to 32 inches. Rooms between 75 and 144 feet need a fan size of 36 to 42 inches. Larger rooms need the largest fan sizes -- think 50 inches or more.

Fan sizes are measured across the width of the blades, from the tip of one blade to the corresponding tip of the blade directly across, on fans with an even number of blades. For fans with an uneven number of blades, the measurement is taken from the tip of one blade to the center of the fan and then doubled.

Ideally, you should leave seven feet of clearance between the bottom of your fan and the floor, and eight inches of clearance between the blades and the ceiling. Many ceiling fans come with an extension rod that you can use to position the fan blades lower to the floor. If you have low ceilings, however, you can get a low-profile or flush-mount fan that still allows for the clearance you need.

Consider Functionality

You can buy ceiling fans with or without a light fixture attached, so consider whether you need additional light in the room when shopping for ceiling fans on popular websites like https://www.hunterfan.com/. Traditional ceiling fans with pull cords to control the fan speed are still available, but you can also buy fans with wall controls and remote controls. Many new fan wall controls word on radio frequencies, so you don’t even need to wire them up. You can also get smart fans that can be controlled via bluetooth and an app on your phone.

If you’re installing a new ceiling fan in a bathroom, mudroom, or somewhere else where it may get damp, such as even a kitchen, you need to get a damp-rated fan. If you’re installing the fan outdoors, like on a porch or patio, you need an indoor/outdoor rated fan. A damp-rated fan is fine for humid rooms indoors, but it isn’t water resistant enough to withstand the weather inside, even on a covered porch.

When it comes to optimum air movement, motor quality and blade pitch are most important. Buy a fan with a quality motor that is quiet and powerful. Whisper-quiet fans are available for bedrooms. Blade pitch should be 12 to 15 degrees to optimize air movement. The number of blades doesn’t really matter that much -- you can rely on your personal taste to help you select the right number of blades.

Buy a Fan that Ties the Room Together

Today’s ceiling fans have come a long way, artistically speaking, from your grandma’s old five-blade, wooden monstrosity with the three light bulbs. Today, you can choose from sleek, modern looks that accentuate your home decor. Bring that post-industrial look together with a sleek ceiling fan in burnished bronze, copper, or stainless steel. Stick with your nature theme and pick up a fan with smooth, contoured wooden blades reminiscent of driftwood. Or put the finishing touches on your mid-century modern home with clear acrylic fan blades that almost make the fan seem to melt away into the ceiling.

Choosing a new ceiling fan can be a big decision -- at least, it feels that way. The new fan you choose is something you’ll have to live with for a long time, so make sure you choose the best one for your needs, budget, and taste.