By Fred Hawkins on Thursday, 13 May 2021
Category: H&H Electric

How to Choose a Ceiling Fan

You probably don't find yourself replacing a ceiling fan too often and because of that, you'll want to make sure you're choosing the right fan. Not only do you want something that looks good in the room, but you want it to serve its purpose. Though you may want to choose the first pretty fan you see, there are many considerations. Just a few of them include size needed for the location, light, mount size, efficiency, and more. Before you make the jump, make sure you know exactly what you want. 

Determine Fan Size

You want the perfect-sized fan. Too small of a fan won't serve its purpose, while too large of a fan could produce a windstorm in your living room – and you don't want that! Follow the guide below to help you decide what size fan will work best for the room. 

​Room Size ​Necessary Fan Size
​Less than 5x10 ​Less than 29"
​Up to 8x10​39"
​Up to 10x10​42"
​Up to 10x20​52"
​Up to 20x20​Greater than 56"

Choose Your Style 

Only you can make the call when it comes to choosing the style of your new ceiling fan. However, we do recommend that you take a look at the style of the room and continue the theme with your fan. For example, if your living room has a modern theme, you can choose a modern fan to complement that theme. But don't forget – it's your space and you can choose whatever strikes your fancy.

To Light or Not to Light? 

That is the question. Luckily, this one doesn't require math or extreme decoration skills. Do you want your ceiling fan to have light or is that an unnecessary feature for you? This will help you further narrow down your choices. Keep in mind, if you're not sure, some fans can have lighting added later. 

Choose Your Fan Mount 

Unfortunately, this decision can be a little harder to make. Not only do you need to decide on the style of the mount, but you also have to choose the right size down rod. Below is a table that can help you choose the down rod length for your room. 

​Ceiling Height Down Rod Length
​9' ​12"
​10'​12"-18"
​11'​18"-24"
12'​​36"
13'​48"​
14​'60"​
15'​72"​

Choose Fan Efficiency 

There are two types of ceiling fan motors: AC or DC. An AC (Alternating Current) ceiling fan tends to be cheaper and easy to maintain. However, since it's depending on the power source so heavily, it can be difficult for the AC motor to maintain a certain speed, which is why AC fans typically only have 3 spinning speed options. These fans also tend to be louder. 

DC (Direct Current) ceiling fans, on the other hand, are extremely energy efficient. They tend to be less bulky and have up to 7-speed options. These fans are extremely quiet, though not without cost. While the benefits are many, it's important to decide if you want to spend the extra money on a DC motor. 

You Made the Decision! What's Next? 

Hopefully, this has assisted you in figuring out which fan you want. You know what you want, and have it ordered, but you're dreading putting it up. The good news is that H&H Electric and Security can install your new ceiling fan for you. Not only is it difficult to install from a gravity perspective, but it also requires wiring and dealing with electricity. Who better to do that for you than an electrician?