Ceiling Fans Buying Guide For Every Room of Your Home

- Designed to circulate air and keep any room cool, today's ceiling fans can also add style to any indoors or outdoor decor.

Height

First, you’ll need to measure the ceiling height of the room and identify the type of space you’re trying to cool.

Place the fan higher than 7 feet above the floor in the middle of the room for maximum comfort, circulation, safety and aesthetics. Optimal placement would be either 8 or 9 feet from the floor.

If your ceiling is lower than 8 feet, a low-profile hugger fan like the stylish creates airflow while keeping the blades safely away from passers-by below.

If the ceiling height is 8 feet or more, consider a fan with a downrod. And if you want more length or need to accommodate an awkward space some models come equipped with a 20-inch downrod that features a narrow blade sweep which makes it a great choice for a tall, narrow space.

Have questions about what downrod is best for your fan?

Contact Bellacor customer service at 1-877-723-5522 for assistance. They can help you determine the correct downrod length for your ceiling height and any other specific purchasing details for your specific fan.

Examine the ins and outs

Most likely you wouldn’t place your sofa, bed or dining table outdoors — they’re not designed to weather the elements. The same rule applies to ceiling fans. Make sure that the description on the ceiling fan specifically identifies that it’s an outdoor fan if you are looking to use it on a porch, arbor, gazebo, etc.

Certification Satisfaction

After you determine whether you need an indoor or outdoor model, the next step is to consider what type of exposure the fan will have — and that will determine its safety requirements. Check the fan (or the packaging) for its UL-certification mark. (UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a safety consulting and certification company that sets standards for different product categories—and tests products to make sure they meet those standards.)

Indoor Fans
Outdoor Fans
UL-Listed for Dry Locations

Indoor spaces with minimal exposure to moisture or condensation, including living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, foyers and hallways.

UL-Listed for Damp Locations

Covered high-humidity Indoor spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
UL-Listed for Wet Locations

Outdoor locations exposed to wind, rain, snow, etc., including open-air decks, porches and gazebos.

UL-Listed for Damp Locations

Covered high-humidity outdoor spaces like patios or garages, where there’s no direct contact with rain or snow.

Size Matters

Choosing a fan is a bit like choosing a hat. If it’s too small, it won’t provide enough coverage; if it’s too big, it overwhelms everything in your ensemble. By the same token, if a fan is too small, you won’t get proper airflow; if the blade sweep is too wide, the fan will overwhelm the room. Airflow is one of the most important details to consider. Measured in CFMs (Cubic Feet Per Minute), it’s the volume of air that the fan moves on its highest speed setting. (Most fans have three speed settings, including low, medium and high). Average fans move around 4,000 CFMS; high-end fans models turn around 10,000 CFM — a dramatic difference.

The goal is to choose the largest size that complements the space while providing optimal circulation. The American Lighting Association suggests the following ceiling fan sizes based on room square footage:
Ceiling Fan Size Chart

Room Size Fan Size

Up to 75 sq. ft. 36 inches or less

74-144 sq. ft. 36-42 inches

144-225 sq. ft. 44-50 inches

225-400 sq. ft. 50-60 inches

Ceiling Fan Size Chart
Room Size	Fan Size
Up to 75 sq. ft.	36 inches or less
74-144 sq. ft.	36-42 inches
144-225 sq. ft.	44-50 inches
225-400 sq. ft.	50-60 inches

Pitch

Pitch is the angle at which the blades of the ceiling fan are tilted. The degree of tilt determines how much air a fan is able to circulate throughout a room. Too much pitch creates a wind-tunnel effect; too little won’t stir the air. The optimal blade pitch is between 12 to 15 degrees.

Shop Minka Aire Light Wave LED Ceiling Fan in Distressed Koa Finish at Bellacor

Choose Your Features

For improved airflow and overhead illumination, a ceiling fan with integrated lights makes an excellent choice. And since the light fixture is built right into the fan, no additional assembly is required. Those are the magic words.

But what do you do if you find a fan you love, and it doesn’t come with an integrated light source? Shop for a compatible add-on light kit.

Some light kits are fan-specific or work only with their brand. But many fans are designed to accept universal light fixtures, which mount to the bottom of the fan using a standard threaded mount. If you’re adding a universal model, keep an eye out for these details:

It should be the same brand as your ceiling fan and have the same finish

If your ceiling fan is UL-Listed for a Wet, Damp or Dry environment, the light kit needs to carry the same rating

If your fan is Energy Star rated, your light kit should be, too

What's Your Style?

There’s a fan to coordinate with every style of décor, ranging from forward-thinking designs to enduring classics. Here’s a sampling of some popular categories:

Contemporary Chic

If you love minimalist design look for fans with curved blades that push air at an angle.
Farmhouse

Shop a wide variety of Farmhouse Style Ceiling Fans perfect for any modern country look.
Timeless & Traditional

If your tastes run to the classics, there’s a wide range of ceiling fans to complement your home or office.
Transitional or Eclectic

With options ranging from the urban-industrial to ultra-simple, there’s a perfect fan for every décor.

Take Control

If the fan you purchase doesn’t come equipped with a remote control, you might be able to add a remote control kit. There are a lot of universal kits on the market designed for overhead fans operated by a pull chain or wall switch. These kits offer on/off and speed control; more advanced models may offer light control, light-dimming and temperature control capabilities. Whether your ceiling fan can accommodate a remote control kit depends on the amount of free space inside the fan canopy.

Have questions about whether your ceiling fan can accommodate a remote control kit? Contact Bellacor customer service at 1-877-723-5522 or use our live chat for assistance. They can help you determine purchasing details for your specific fan.

If the fan you purchase doesn’t come equipped with a remote control, you might be able to add a remote control kit. There are a lot of universal kits on the market designed for overhead fans operated by a pull chain or wall switch. These kits offer on/off and speed control; more advanced models may offer light control, light-dimming and temperature control capabilities. Whether your ceiling fan can accommodate a remote control kit depends on the amount of free space inside the fan canopy.
Ceiling Fan Motors

It may not be front of mind, but the quality of the motor should play a big factor in your buying decision. While you might prefer the white noise of an engine purring or a fan-rocking, it’s not everyone’s ideal.

Good: at minimum, be sure the ceiling fan is equipped with Standard Direct Drive Motor. Anything below this (i.e., Moderate or Economy Grade) will be noisy, wobbly and prone to breaking down.

Better: a higher-quality motor like the Ultra-Performance Direct Drive, a Large Standard Direct Drive Motor or a Stack Motor provides smoother the airflow and quieter operation.

Best: this elite category includes DC Motors, which you’ll find in numerous ceiling. A greener alternative, DC Motors consume less energy while generating more power and torque. Plus, they offer virtually silent operation at six speeds, compared to the three offered by most ceiling fans.

For year-round usage, be sure to look for a model with a reverse switch. (It’s usually located on the fan’s motor housing or accessible via remote.) A reverse switch is a great feature to have when chilly weather settles in because it allows the fan to redirect warm air downward, reducing cold spots and helping to save energy and money.
Efficiency Expertise

Ceiling fans are, by design, energy-saving devices, and the amount of electricity they use is measured in watts. You’ll find that even the most energy-guzzling ceiling fans rarely use more than 100 watts, and the average fan will use approximately 60–75 watts. For greater efficiency:

Be on the lookout for a fan (and light) carrying the Energy Star service mark. This symbol means the product generally uses 20 to 30% less energy than required by federal standards.

Keep in mind that the energy used by the fan and light are calculated separately. It’s conceivable that a light fixture could use two to three times as much electricity as the fan motor, so be sure to review all features closely.
Air Flow

Since airflow is measured in CFMs, the amount of comfort you get from your ceiling fan directly correlates to the fan’s CFM rating. And a fan’s airflow efficiency is determined by based on three factors: the size of the fan, watts and CFM. Here are some standard guidelines on what to look for in terms of airflow efficiency:

Blade span of 50 inches and over: should have an airflow efficiency of 99+ to 49.9 CFM/Watts

Blade span of 42 to 49 inches: should have an airflow efficiency of 80+ to 39.9 CFM/Watts

Blade span of 41 or less: should have an airflow efficiency of 70+ to 24.9 CFM/Watts

Click on the Energy Guide icon on each fan to compare airflow, electricity use, and airflow efficiency

Energy Star-certified models not only reduce electricity usage but also greenhouse gas emissions
- Minka Aire - share iconsave icon Rudolph Brushed Nickel 52-Inch Fan with Maple Blades
- Modern Forms Lotus Titanium Silver 54-Inch 3000K LED Downrod Ceiling Fans
  
  Modern Forms Lotus LED Downrod Ceiling Fans
Good Advice

Do you need an electrician? We recommend having a licensed electrician install your ceiling fan. A professional will be able to ensure proper and accurate installation and double-check additional issues, like making sure the electrical box has a proper support/weight ratio and that the wall controls work properly. Also — depending on the material used to construct the fan blades — it’s smart to hire an experienced professional who can install the fan without bending the blades. Finally, it’s safer. You don’t really want to be rooting around in your house’s electrical wiring while balanced precariously on a ladder or chair. We want you to enjoy the fan, not be a victim of it.
Money Saving Tips

Turn off your fan when leaving the room

Use your fan in summer (run it counter-clockwise) to cool the space

Use your fan in winter (run it clockwise) to recirculate warm air

Look for Energy Star qualified ceiling fans to save money and electricity