A ceiling fan is a must-have fixture that will instantly beautify your space, but they also have surprising practical use. They add light and are often the centerpiece in a room, but also make a room feel more comfortable with cooler air in the summer and warmer air in the winter.
Ceiling fans help promote health with better air circulation and improve air quality and can lower a rooms temperature by 8 degrees! Imagine the energy savings over an air conditioner even with its great benefits, heading to a big box store and grabbing the first one you see is sure to leave you disappointed. To find the right one for you, five things must be carefully considered.
No need to worry, this ultimate guide you will discover everything you need to know to make the perfect purchase including:
- Why the blade pitch makes all the difference
- How to shave the most from your energy bill
- What is that switch on my fan and how should I use it
- How to choose the style that fits your space best
- Getting the right size fan for your room
Here’s what you should look for when buying a ceiling fan:
1. Blade Pitch
Blade pitch refers to how steep the blades are when attached to the fan motor. Since every degree in alignment affects how much air is moved, it’s important to find the “ample pitch”. For example, a fan with a 14 degree blade pitch pushes about 80 percent more air than a fan with a 10 degree blade pitch.
Most stores only offer fans with a lower blade pitch, so consumers have to use a lot more power to get the fan to work the way they want. Not only is this very inefficient and uses much more energy than necessary, it also causes fans to burn out after just a few years and require a costly replacement.
Our lighting specialists are experienced and happy to help you find the perfect fan for your home or any space.
2. Energy Star Rating
This is a must. Look for Energy Star-Rated ceiling fans. Energy Star fans are guaranteed to last long and save you money. When you see this logo, you know the fan has passed rigorous testing and meets the stringent standards of the EPA is made with durable and reliable parts, and works much more efficiently than non-rated alternatives.
Think of this as a seal of authenticity. The energy star logo ensures that the materials used to build the fan are high quality and will last you much longer than comparable products. Energy Star ceiling fans provide a way to cool a space with a fraction of the standard energy usage. These fans are 20% more efficient than standard ceiling fans and come with energy efficient light kits with bulbs that last 10x longer than traditional lights. Fan motors with the Energy Star also come standard with a 30-year warranty, protecting your investment for a long, long time.
There are some products that are worth spending a little extra money on because it will actually save you money in the long run. Ceiling fans are definitely one of those products.
3. Airflow Direction
Ceiling fans can be set to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Why is this? It all has to do with the season. Yes, the time of year actually affects the airflow needs of a room!
If you set your fan counterclockwise, the air will be pushed directly downward. This setting is best suited for summertime when the downward airflow will give a nice cooling breeze that reaches the whole room. If your fan has a higher blade pitch, you can even reduce the “feel” temperature of the room by an entire 8 degrees!
However, during winter the hot air rises to the ceiling. Set your fan clockwise during the colder months, and it will push the air off the ceiling and out to bounce it off the walls to create a warmer feel that fills the entire room.
4. Fan Style
It’s important for your fan to match the rest of your décor to tie everything together. A vintage style fan may look odd if the rest of your furniture has a more modern vibe to it.
Be sure to explore your options in different fan styles and take the time to look into all the different colors, styles and shapes. Believe it or not but a fan can become a centerpiece and tie together a room. A ceiling fan is like the cherry on top when it comes to décor, having it match everything else just makes the room feel more complete.
Not sure where to begin? Read through some of the most popular design styles to see what would fit best in your space:
- Classic: These traditional styles are anything but boring. Classic fans typically have dark wood finishes, like oak or walnut and an antique bronze or pewter accents, and a timeless blade look that blends in seamlessly with your traditional-style home.
- Modern: Often this fan is show-stopping statement piece that fit well into mid-century modern and industrial design looks. A contemporary style ceiling fan with smooth clean lines and metallic finishes are ideal. Look for fans often in a metallic finish or chrome and even matte-black, as well as fans with a sleek blade design.
- Cottage: Classic white fans are best suited to cottage style. Look for an all-white fan including the motor casing and blades, with light metallic trim accents.
- Rustic: No longer reserved for cabins and outdoor spaces, many are giving their homes a lodge-like look. A rugged look with natural woods, typically accented with nickel or bronze hardware complement this home décor style.
- Farmhouse: Sure to add instant charm to any room. In many varieties and styles, farmhouse fans are making a huge comeback. Look for a fans are made from a perfect blend of natural wood and industrial elements that use the vintage Edison-style bulbs.
- Coastal/Driftwood: Bring the sea breeze right into your home with a nautical style ceiling fan. Inspired by the attractive colors and soothing quality of nature, fans with natural wood blades and oil-rubbed finishes do the trick. Often times these tropical-inspired fans are made from bamboo and have leaf-inspired designs complement homes near the beach and cottage-style interiors.
Of course, most of us are thinking of just installing a ceiling fan inside, but have you considered your outdoor fan options? Picture this: you’re sitting on your porch, enjoying the weather, lemonade in hand and a nice light breeze coming from your patio ceiling fan. Sounds nice right? Don’t forget about your outdoor space when you’re looking at adding new ceiling fans to your home.
#5: Ceiling Fan Size
When shopping for a fan, you have to get the right size to make sure it delivers on its promise. The size of the room you’re wanting to put it in is key. If you have a smaller room (like a bathroom) that you’d like to put a fan in, be sure you buy something with a smaller fan blade width to fit the space well.
Larger areas such as bedrooms and living rooms will need a larger fan to circulate more air flow throughout the entire room. If you get a fan that’s too small and place it in a larger room, it’s not going to function quite the way you want it to. As a rule, bigger is better to ensure you get maximum airflow as the airflow drops off dramatically when you’re more than 2-3 feet outside of the blades. To ensure maximum benefit, here are some recommendations based on the size of the room and assuming you have chosen a good fan with at least 12 degree blade pitch.
Now that you know how to choose the right ceiling fan, you will be able to enjoy a unique sense of style that is far too often overlooked.