On their own, ceiling fans aren’t a sufficient cooling solution for your Media, PA, home, but they can certainly supplement your air conditioner in maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment at a reasonable cost. Ceiling fans can lower utility bills when used judiciously. When set to rotate counterclockwise, these fixtures push cool air down and create a “wind chill” effect. With one or more ceiling fans in place, you can set your thermostat a bit higher and limit the amount of time that your AC system runs. However, before you put new ceiling fans in, there are seven important things to consider.
1. Where Should You Install Your Ceiling Fans?
Although ceiling fans are far less expensive than air conditioners or heat pumps, getting quality ceiling fans requires a comfortable budget. This is especially true if you install these fixtures in multiple areas. Rather than spending less by buying a large number of low-cost fans, choose a few well-made, high-performing options and then place them strategically throughout your home.
Location can play an important role in determining how well your fans keep your indoor air moving and how well they work with your air conditioner. For instance, it might not be wise to install your fans too near heat-generating appliances such as ovens or rooms that hold clothes dryers. Living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms are all common choices. If you’re intent on installing a ceiling fan in your kitchen, go for a single ceiling fan that’s positioned directly in the center of the room. This location will have less of an impact on the functioning of your stove’s range hood fan. In some kitchens, a well-centered overhead fan can also minimize cooking odors.
2. How Big Is Too Big?
Contrary to what you might think, bigger isn’t necessarily better with ceiling fans. You’ll get the best results from these fixtures when they’re well-matched to the spaces that they’re installed in. As a general rule, rooms that measure up to 200 square feet should have fans with blade spans of 42 inches. Rooms that measure between 200 and 400 square feet should have fans with blade spans of 52 inches.
If you’re installing a fan in any room that has more than 400 square feet of space, you’ll want a fan with a blade span of 56 inches. Rooms larger than 600 square feet can have a single, large-sized fan or two or more fans with blade spans that are 52 inches or greater. When sizing a fan for a larger-than-average room, you may want to consult with a professional electrician to get your measurements and fan positioning just right.
It’s important to note that, although fan sizes matter, the number of blades that fans have matters quite a bit less. Most ceiling fans have either four or five blades, but you might find a few options that have just three. You can get the same cooling effect from all of these options depending on their motor capacities and blade styles. However, fans with five blades tend to produce the least noise during operation. Five-blade fans offer the best balance between noise produced, and air circulated. This is something to keep in mind when choosing ceiling fans for bedrooms.
3. How Many Operating Speeds Should a Ceiling Fan Have?
As you shop for ceiling fans, you’ll find that these overhead fixtures are rarely built with simple off-and-on functionality. Instead, most have between three and four operating speeds. Fans’ speeds are measured in revolutions per minute (RPMs), and you want options with a maximum speed of at least 300 to 350 RPMs. With low, medium, and high-speed settings, you can crank your fan up when indoor air is especially stifling or turn it low when you want a cooling breeze and minimal fan sound.
All of the factors that determine fan speeds have an impact on efficiency. This is important to remember too. An ultra-fast fan might make you feel much cooler than a low-speed option, but it will likely cost more money to run. Longer fan blades slow ceiling fans down, but they also contribute to higher levels of efficiency. This same is also true of paddle-shaped blades and increased blade pitch.
4. What Type of Fan Motor Do You Want?
You have two options for fan motors. There are AC motors and DC motors. The more powerful your fan’s motor is, the faster its blades rotate. In general, AC motors are considered the more powerful choice. However, DC motors can be up to 300% more efficient than the alternative, depending on fan blade size, design, and pitch. When accounting for these and other factors, most DC fan motors use at least 75% less energy overall.
5. What’s the Best Fan Blade Material?
Another important factor in your ceiling fan selection is blade materials. There are three options available: plastic, metal, and timber. Most plastic blades are comprised of a lightweight ABS polymer that limits the need for motor capacity and allows for ease of installation. This material can be molded in a vast range of styles and designs, whether for improved aesthetics, increased efficiency, or enhanced functioning.
Metal fan blades are incredibly durable, and they easily cut through the air. With less resistance, they tend to be quite efficient in providing consistently strong airflow. Timber fan blades are valued for their rich, classic look and durability. Their rigidity contributes to longer lifespans and lower levels of noise than either plastic or metal. However, they’re heavier than both plastic and metal options, and thus, they require more energy and greater motor capacity.
6. What’s the Best Ceiling Fan Height?
For a maximum cooling effect, your ceiling fans should be approximately 8 feet above the floor. If you have relatively low ceilings, you may need to choose shorter, hugger-style ceiling fans. For rooms with sloped ceilings, look for fan adapters that can angle fans to almost 50 degrees. Finally, for vaulted ceilings, you’ll need to install extension rods. Although 8 feet above ground level is the minimum height for installation, installing your ceiling fans higher than 10 feet above the floor will result in insufficient cooling.
7. Is the Electrical Box for Your Ceiling Fan Appropriately Rated?
There are also structural considerations to make. Is the ceiling that you’re targeting structurally sound? Can it reliably support the weight of your chosen ceiling fan? These questions are especially important if you’ve opted for a heavier fan style with timber blades.
Before putting a ceiling fan in, you must make sure that the related electrical box is fan-rated. If it is, it will be labeled as such. If you intend to control your fan at the light switch, verify that the switch is properly wired for this. It’s also important to make sure that the wall joist you’re targeting isn’t connected to or directly abutting any plumbing pipes or electrical wiring that could be damaged during your installation.
We offer electrical, heating, cooling, plumbing, and indoor air quality services. Residents of Media can count on us for competitive rates, total transparency, and service with a smile. If you need help choosing and installing ceiling fans in your home, give Dream Team Home Services a call today!
