How to Choose the Right Ceiling Fan

Do you know how to choose the right ceiling fan for your space?

Are you overwhelmed by the many options available? Do you feel as though you don’t know the difference between the many different types of ceiling fans on the market?

Ceiling fans can add comfort to your home or business and save you money, but you want to be sure you’ve made the right choice. Consumer Reports found that “you can save 3 to 5 percent on air-conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. Using a ceiling fan, which costs little to run, can make you feel up to 4° F cooler.”

• For areas 6’x6’ or smaller (nooks, stairwells, laundry rooms, etc.), 29” to 36” inch ceiling fans are best. There are many smaller fans on the market that are damp or wet rated, which means they can withstand frequent moisture exposure in places like bathrooms or outdoor patios.
• For areas 9’x9’ or smaller (bedrooms, home offices, etc.), 40” to 48” ceiling fans are best. Make sure you do your research to see how loud these fans are! You’ll want a quiet one in a place where you sleep or work.
• For standard rooms – 10’x10 or 16’x16’- 50” to 58” ceiling fans are the most effective. These rooms might be a large bedroom, or a living room. Powerful fans will be the most helpful in cooling a room of this size. Under-sizing fans for this type of space can mean you’re constantly running the fan on high speeds, which can increase energy consumption.

Now that you know more about the size of fan you should choose, what about styles and finishes? Something to keep in mind: spending more doesn’t necessarily guarantee an increase in quality or performance.

Airflow and blade shape matter! Pay attention to the cubic feet per minute (CFM) numbers on the boxes when you’re buying a ceiling fan. A higher number means more air movement. Fans with the most airflow predictably make more noise, but Consumer Reports’ tests showed most noise was wind noise, not motor noise. Smooth fan blades are likely your best choice if you’re looking for a quiet fan.

Make RP Lighting + Fans Your Preferred LED Ceiling Fan Supplier!

We have residential grade fans and fans powerful enough to handle large commercial and industrial spaces. To see our product line and learn more about what we have to offer, check out our website! We have a new product catalog for 2019 that details all of our product offerings.