When choosing a ceiling fan, there are usually three major factors to consider: features, size, and warranty. Ceiling fans can be found at a wide range of prices, often between $80 and $1000. The most expensive models sport adjustable lighting, a sound dampening clutch, auto-leveling downrod, and sealed bearings. Less expensive models will be considerably less balanced, wear out quicker, and noisier.
Try to find the largest ceiling fan that is in your budget. The ideal fan should be 18" smaller than your total room width, and have a blade pitch around 15°. Don't worry, you'll be able to find these dimensions on the back of the box. Check out our in-depth article for reasons why to buy a ceiling fan.
Ceiling Fan Features
If you have very tall ceilings, a long downrod is a must. The bottom of the fan should be between 7 and 8 feet from the ground. This may sound silly on paper for a room with 15 foot ceilings, but mounting the fan any higher will require you to run it at very high speeds to feel any effect.
Some fans include globe lights, adjustable spotlights, uplights, or some combination of the three. While globe lights and adjustable spotlights can fill a room with light, lights that bounce off the ceiling offer a more sophisticated look. These lights are called uplights, and they offer a warmer, softer light that's great for bedrooms and family rooms.
High end ceiling fans often include a hand-held or wall mounted remote. This custom switch controls the fan speeds and light in a custom fashion that is difficult to duplicate with a standard light switch and dimmer switch. A wall mounted unit tends to be the most convienient.
Some fans include a ceiling mount that is a pivoting ball. This is a key feature, as this allows you to mount your ceiling fan on angled ceilings without any balance issues. Even if your ceiling is flat, the pivoting ball will compensate from the slight pitch that is created from normal building imperfections.
Ceiling fans with sealed ball bearings never need oiling, and glide smoothly and silently. A ceiling fan with a rubber flywheel will also dampen noise, which is ultra important for larger fan motors that tend to be loud.
If you're looking for a fan for an outdoor area, try to select one with the highest blade pitch possible. Some ceiling fans also have a built in heater, which can save your whole house heating costs and even be used outdoors to extend the useability of your patio into the fall months.
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