Choosing and specifying a ceiling fan for the home
Choosing a ceiling fan - it's a breeze when you've got the wind in your hair
A ceiling fan is, surprisingly, an all-year-round improvement for your home and is one of those delightful purchases which costs relatively little yet produces a vast improvement in one's standard of living.
A ceiling fan consists of three elements:
Blades
There are usually three blades attached to a ceiling fan. Their shape, length and profile are a matter of personal taste but a rule of thumb is that the longer the blade, the more the movement of air. The sweep of a typical blade varies between 30 and 60 inches. The pitch the blades are set at also affects air flow with the standard pitch being between 12 and 14 degrees. Lower pitches are available but these tend to be associated with smaller blades which have to operate at higher rpm's making them both noisier and less efficient.
Motor
The electric motor will normally have several speeds ranging from very slow to very fast. A measure of the ceiling fan's quality can be assessed by the level of turbulence caused by the fastest setting. In most cases that speed is effectively unattainable as the noise and wobble arising will prove unacceptable. The motor should be oil-damped to reduce sound and, thus, whisper-quiet when operating. Reversible fans are the norm these days and are to be preferred since the blades can be operated in either clockwise or anti-clockwise modes. In the summer that means the windchill effect of the air turbulence can be complemented by the drawing up of cold air from the floor. In the winter the reversing of the blades forces the warm air back down again and saves on heat loss. The motor can be controlled by either nylon toggles or by remote control (which is often quite a bit more expensive). Toggles should be cut to a height which is clearly out of reach of any young child - even if they are stood on a chair or table.
Fittings
The ceiling fan blades need to sweep at least 12 inches below ceiling height and at least 7 feet above floor level in order to make them both efficient and safe. You should never consider compromising on these dimensions. In order to give some fans a degree of adjustment, the manufacturer often supplies a 'spacer' tube which can be cut to length by the installer. This can effectively increase or decrease the clearance of the blades by about 6 to 8 inches. While installing a fan is simple - there are usually just two wires to connect, it is tricky working above your head and the fan must be securely attached to a strong surface (such as a timber ceiling joist) and not just the ceiling plasterboard.
There is also the option of having a fan with lights. This is to be preferred because then it saves the problem of duplication of fixings. There are a wide range available - everything from ultra-modern to imitation Victorian.
When you buy a ceiling fan, you will almost certainly be straight back to buy more for the other main rooms in your house (don't forget you can't have one in a room with a gas fire). We hope that this article has given you the confidence and information to go out and buy your home a ceiling fan.
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