Since you’re picking out a large, semi permanent appliance that will be fixed in the center of a room, choosing a new ceiling fan for your home can feel daunting. That’s why we have put together this guide to help you choose a ceiling fan with the technical specifications you need. By ensuring you have the technical aspects covered first, you’ll feel more confident browsing through different styles because you’ll know that whatever fan style you choose will function properly.
If you prefer that a qualified electrician install your new ceiling fan, Cathey Electric is happy to help! Call us or contact us online.
Outdoor Fans vs. Indoor Fans
If you want to install your new fan on a porch or patio, you will need to choose a ceiling fan that’s made specifically for the outdoors. An outdoor fan will be able to handle Texas’s summer temperatures. If you choose an indoor fan and install it outdoors, the blades will warp and creak. Your new ceiling fan likely wouldn’t last through a single season.
Room Sizes & Corresponding Fan Sizes
Let’s think through some measurements. How big is the space in which you’re installing your fan?
Small rooms (i.e., office or bedroom): Choose 29-inch to 39-inch fans
Large rooms (i.e., living room): Choose 42-inch to 52-inch fans
Spacious, open-concept rooms (i.e., dining/kitchen combo room): Choose 56 inches or larger fans
Ceiling Height & Mount Types
When you’re measuring your ceiling height, keep in mind that even if you purchase a flush-mounted ceiling fan that clings very close to the ceiling, it will still hang down at least 1 foot. So, if your room is 8 feet high, you’re limited to choosing a flush-mounted ceiling fan for safety reasons. If your room has a very high ceiling or is slanted, you will be limited to choosing an extended down rod mount so that the blades on your new ceiling fan have the room they need to rotate.
Flush-mount: Perfect for ceilings around 8 feet high
Standard mount: Great for ceilings around 9 feet high
Extended down rod mount: Best for ceilings that are 10 feet high or are slanted
Tip: Choose the height of your fan based on the height of your ceiling and not your height. There are inexpensive chain extensions you can buy that allow you to turn your fan on and off from any height.
Follow these guidelines, and you’ll soon have a beautiful, high-quality ceiling fan for your home. If you need help installing your new ceiling fan, Cathey Electric can help! Our expert technicians have experience with many different makes and models. We can install your ceiling fan quickly and safely so that you get the maximum efficiency out of your new fan throughout its life span.