As the days get longer and warmer,
you’re probably looking for ways to keep your home efficiently cool. While air
conditioning is always a good option for sweltering days, sometimes you just
need a slight breeze to keep you cool.
Ceiling fans are an attractive and
effective way to keep rooms from getting too stuffy and hot. Choose the wrong
fan, though, and not only will you not get the cooling effects that you’re
expecting, you could see a big jump in your utility bill. So when you’re
considering ceiling fans keep the following points in mind.
Style isn’t everything.
Many people shop for ceiling fans with style as their number one priority. Ceiling fans range from standard, three or five-blade, solid color models to elaborate, modern or vintage-style fans that are practically works of art. Before setting your heart on a particular style or shape of fan, consider the specifications of the room and the capabilities of the fan.
Consider the height of the ceiling.
When installing a ceiling fan, it
should be at least eight to nine feet from the floor, with a minimum of 12
inches of space between the blades and the ceiling. These measurements ensure
safety (ceiling fans that are too low can be dangerous) and adequate airflow
over the blades. If you have high ceilings, consider a down rod installation
that lowers the fan closer to the floor, giving you the benefits of the cool
air.
Choose the right blade length and width.
In general, the longer and wider the
fan blades, the more air the fan can push and the more effectively it will cool
the room. However, blades that are too large combined with a motor that’s too
small will reduce efficiency. Match the fan blade size to the size of the room
you’re installing it in and the height of the ceiling. In a large room with a
high ceiling, you’ll need a larger fan with a more powerful motor than you will
in a small room with a standard height ceiling.
Choose the right blade pitch.
Blade pitch is the angle of each of
the blades; blades that are flat won’t move much air, defeating the purpose of
the fan. Those that have too steep an angle will have to work harder to push
the air and will move more slowly. In general, look for a fan with blades
pitched between 13 and 15 degrees. Anything less than 10 degrees won’t do much
to move the air and over 20 degrees will wear out the motor.
Two Speeds are Better than One.
Most modern ceiling fans offer
several RPM speeds, giving you options on how much air to move around. The more
speeds the fan has the better, but at minimum choose a fan that offers two or
three RPM speeds.
Pay attention to CFM.
When shopping for a fan, look for
the CFM –cubic feet per minute—rating, which tells you how much air the fan can
move. The higher the CFM, the better the cooling power. Most fans average
around 5000 CFM, but if you have a large room, you may want to consider a
higher CFM. A fan may look great, but if it doesn’t do its job, you’ll be
disappointed.
More Power!
Most ceiling fans come with a
standard 153mm by 9 mm motor. While this motor is certainly adequate for many
fans, if the fan is especially large or you have a large room, a more powerful
motor is better. Just keep an eye on the wattage that the fan uses. A fan with
a powerful motor is likely to use more electricity to run, therefore increasing
your electric bill.
Light or No Light?
One way you can cut down on the
electricity usage of your fan is to skip the light kit. Ceiling fans are
available both with and without lights, or with optional light kits. If you
don’t need the extra light in the room, choose a fan without a lamp. If you
need the light, find a fan with a light that doesn’t use too much electricity.
With all of the options for ceiling
fans on the market, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your style, budget,
and cooling needs. When you’re enjoying the refreshing breeze, all of the
research will be worthwhile.
Ryan Tupper has been a plumber, contractor, and DIY consultant for over
ten years. When installing bathroom vanities or cabinets he always turns to DecorPlanet.com