PROS
As this fan comes in different models, you can choose the finish style and blade color or design that fits your room. This fan has six blades and can cool a room of up to 80 square feet in size.
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Best Ceiling Fans
UPDATED January 2020
With a good ceiling fan, you can stay cool and keep air moving through your home. Using our guide will help you find the best model for you.
BEST CEILING
FAN 2019
BOTTOM LINE
This is the top ceiling fan for those who want to transform the look of a room and get more airflow. The Key Biscayne has five fan blades with a weathered finish and three speed settings for added comfort.
PROS
This motor uses WhisperWind technology to ensure that it runs as smoothly as possible and won’t disrupt your life. It has different speed settings and a reversible mode to pull air up and out of the room too.
CONS
The distinct look of this ceiling fan may not fit with the design of your home. Customers also complained that it didn’t produce enough airflow and that installation took too long.
BOTTOM LINE
As the most modern ceiling fan on the market and some great features, this one really is the best of all the best. It has a remote control that gives you power over the center light and the blade speeds.
PROS
You can adjust the light and blade speeds on this ceiling fan with the included remote control. This fan has a more modern look than others we found and can update any room.
CONS
The three blades may not give you all the airflow and circulation that you want. Shoppers also disliked the hum that it produces and the look of the remote.
BOTTOM LINE
Thanks to a small remote control, this ceiling fan is easy to adjust from anywhere in the room. It has a funky look with a distressed finish on the three curved blades that sweep up and away from the motor.
PROS
A modern design and distressed finish come together to make this one of the most unique ceiling fans we saw. It has three blades and comes with a remote control for convenient changing of the light and speed.
CONS
Many customer complaints surrounded the loud noises and humming sounds produced by this fan. Some shoppers also thought that the quality should be better because of its high price tag.
BOTTOM LINE
With a classic design and a premium motor, the Discus II is the best model for those hoping to create a traditional look in any room. It has a balanced design to ensure that the blades and fan don’t shake.
PROS
The six blades on this fan have a slight pitch that lifts each one away from the light and ensures that more air reaches every area of the room. It comes with a premium motor that has three speed settings and a reversible option.
CONS
This fan tends to run louder than some customers liked and produces a humming noise as it runs. The cover used on the lighting fixture diffuses the light more than some like.
BOTTOM LINE
With an airflow rating of more than 2,000 cubic feet per minute, this fan will help everyone in your family stay cool. It works best in smaller rooms and comes in multiple finish and blade options to fit your home.
CONS
Some of the customer reviews we read stated that installing this fan was hard. There were also a few users who found that all the fan settings seemed the same to them.
Shopping Guide for the Best Ceiling Fan
Even if you have AC, those long and hot days of summer can feel even longer and hotter as the temperature rises. When you have the best ceiling fan, you can stay cool without cranking up the AC. Many people find that they can use a fan in lieu of an AC unit too. You’ll find models designed for smaller spaces such as a living room or a bedroom and models that you can use outside to enjoy a summer day without feeling hot and sticky. The main problem that many shoppers have is that they just don’t know how to pick the best ceiling fan of 2018 for them.
Lucky for you, you came to the right place. Our shopping guide to the top ceiling fans will help you find one that keeps your home and your family cool. You’ll find models with a remote control that give you a convenient way to adjust the fan speed and models that have a reversible mode you can use in the winter. We’ll show you the more popular types of ceiling fans that meet your needs and go over all the basics of using one. You can keep reading to find detailed product descriptions and more.
Selection Criteria
Far too many buying and shopping guides simply throw up a list of the most expensive products on Amazon and expect readers to make a purchase without providing them with the information that they need. We think that giving you more info will help you find a fan that works best for a specific room and one that you won’t want to take down and return later.
Before adding a single fan to our list of the best of the best, we used the web to read what experts in the field thought. We looked at their top products and turned to Google. This helped us see which fans are no longer available and which ones have a number of bad and negative reviews. We kept track of the average ratings for each fan and picked the five best models.
Our list starts in the chart at the top of this page, which gives you the bottom line on each one. We included longer descriptions below that go over the top features and benefits of each fan too. Once you check out those fans, you can learn more about installing a ceiling fan and the size that you need as well as what ceiling fan features are the best.
What is CFM?
CFM is a term that stands for cubic feet per minute. It tells you how much air the fan will push through the room every minute. You can use this rating to determine if a fan is strong enough for a specific room based on the size of that space.
We did a lot of research and put a lot of thought into finding the best ceiling fan around, but we kept returning to the Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fan from Harbor Breeze. This fan has a sleek and modern design that will fit into any contemporary home and give any room the instant facelift that it needs. That design includes a brushed nickel finish on the blades and motor housing and a soft white cover on the built-in light. You get a remote control that lets you adjust the light and change the blade speeds without dealing with cords hanging down from the fan.
The three blades on this fan all have a steep pitch that angles them away from the motor. When you run this fan, those blades will keep pushing the air in the room down and circulate that air to keep the room as cool as possible. We like that you can mount this fan flush with the ceiling in a room, which makes it a good choice for homes with short ceilings. This Harbor Breeze model circulates quite a bit of air around any room but is really best for smaller spaces, including bathrooms and bedrooms.
Benefits of Using a Ceiling Fan Over an AC Unit
- Save money: When you run an AC unit all day and night, your energy bills will skyrocket. Ceiling fans require less power to run and will help keep your bills down. You can also use a ceiling fan to circulate air and rely less on your AC unit. When you have a fan, you can turn down your AC.
- Winter use: Unlike AC units, which you need to turn off during the cooler months, you can use a ceiling fan all year long. Many of the top models have a reversible setting that will pull air up instead of pushing it down. This helps you pull cool air out of your home to feel warmer. The reversible model can also keep your skin from cracking due to a lack of moisture.
- See clearly: Another benefit of adding a ceiling fan to your home is that it gives you more light. AC units simply take up space and help a home feel cooler. The right ceiling fan can give you all the light that you need to see clearly.
- Loads of designs: You don’t have many options when it comes to choosing a new AC unit, but you have tons of options in regards to ceiling fans. Manufacturers make both traditional and modern designs.
If you have an older home, you may not have the money needed to upgrade your electrical system before installing an HVAC system. Many older homes still rely on window and wall AC units. All the same benefits listed above apply here, but ceiling fans also require less maintenance too. You do not need to remove the fan every year at the end of the season.
Ceiling Fans vs. Window and Wall AC Units
Hunter makes dozens of ceiling fans that shoppers like, but the top model for the money is the Key Biscayne Weathered Zinc model. This ceiling fan features a motor and light combo hidden behind a black metal cage that makes it look like something you might see on a vintage cruise ship. Convenient pulls located on the sides of this fixture allow you to turn the light on and off and adjust the speed. You can tug on the pull cord to choose any of the three speed settings and to turn the blades off. Those blades have a weathered finish that looks slightly distressed too.
Thanks to its WhisperWind technology, the motor on this fan runs so quietly that you may not even hear it. It also features a solid arm that supports the weight of the fan and lets it extend out from your ceiling without the fan wobbling or shaking. You get two separate arms that let you install the fan at the right height in any room. This model also features blades with a 13-degree pitch that improves air circulation. The Key Biscayne is one of the only ceiling fans we found that is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Signs That You Could Benefit from a Ceiling Fan
- Electrical panel needs an upgrade: If your electrical panel needs an upgrade to work with an HVAC system, you can install a ceiling fan instead. Some older homes may have problems running two or more air conditioners at the same time too, which will cause your circuits to pop or your fuses to blow. Ceiling fans use less power and will work in these homes.
- You have a smaller home: Ceiling fans work particularly well in small homes and tiny rooms. They may even work better than an AC would. The fan will both push cool air around your body and keep the air circulating around the space.
- Drafts and leaks: Many older homes suffer from gaps in window panes, which leads to drafts and leaks forming. Those gaps allow air to escape out of your home and let the air outside come inside. Ceiling fans can help you cope with these air loss problems.
- You want to save money on heating and cooling bills: With a new ceiling fan, you can save money on both heating and cooling bills. You can use a fan to remove or reduce the amount of cold air in your home in the late fall through early spring and use it to stay cooler during the other months.
Change the rotation of your fan from counter-clockwise in the summer to clockwise during winter. Doing so will make the room more comfortable because the fan forces the warm air back down.
With a higher price tag than any other ceiling fan on our list, the Light Wave from Minka-Aire is a luxury model that is best for high-end shoppers. Many customers can’t get over the amazing and unique look of this fan, which features three long and thin blades with a slight curve that extend out and around the motor. Both the blades and the arm that helps the fan hang from the ceiling have a distressed finish that adds to its expensive look. We like that this model comes with a remote control because that gives you a more convenient way to use it. You can adjust the speed and turn the light on and off with the remote.
Made from real Koa wood, this fan has an airflow rating of more than 5,000 cubic feet per minute. You can use it in a smaller room to stay cool without AC or in a larger room where you want more air circulation. Though the Light Wave has just a single light in the center, this light has a dimming feature that you can access with the remote control to reduce the light without turning it off. It comes with almost everything needed to install the fan too.
When to Upgrade Your Ceiling Fan
Whether you spend $50 on a basic ceiling fan for your child’s room or hundreds of dollars on one for your living room, you may not want to spend even more money later on a new model. There may come a time when you should upgrade or replace that fan though. Some of the signs that you need a new one include:
- Short pull cords: Many older fans and cheaper models feature pull cords that operate the fan and the light. If you struggle to reach those cords on a daily basis, you can choose a new fan with longer cords or one that uses a remote.
- Not enough power: The amount of power that a fan produces will depend on factors such as its motor and the number of blades it has. A good sign that you need to upgrade to a new fan is when the old one doesn’t have enough power to keep a room cool.
- Slanted: You should also replace a fan when it develops a slanted look that makes it seem like it might fall off the ceiling. This can occur because someone did not properly install it or because of damage done to the fan itself.
- Shaking: It’s also important that you replace any fan that shakes violently as it runs. There is a chance that the fan might come loose from the ceiling and strike a loved one.
Temperature Change
Ceiling fans can reduce the temperature of a room by up to 10 degrees or more.
The Discus II has the classic look that many people think of when they first think of a ceiling fan. Monte Carlo designed a premium motor to come with this model, which ensures that it runs smoothly and quietly. We did encounter a few reviews from shoppers who found that the fan ran louder than they expected though. Available in just one color, this white ceiling fan has a small arm that drops it down from the ceiling to help the airflow move towards the center of the room and closer to anyone in the area. Both the arm and the blades, as well as all other components, have the same white finish.
Each of the six blades on this model has a 12-degree pitch that angles the blades out from the motor. As you run it, you’ll find that the blades both circulate air and push the air down to help the room feel cooler. It also features a three-speed motor that lets you adjust the speed based on how much airflow you need. The Discus II also has a reversible mode that you can use in the cooler months to pull cold air up towards the ceiling, which can make the room feel warmer.
Types of Ceiling Fans
There are many different things you should consider when buying a new ceiling fan, including whether to buy one with a light and the number of blades that you need. Before we delve into the features you should consider, we wanted to focus on all the different types of fans that are out there. You’ll find these fans available for sale online and in both home improvement and big box stores. We recommend buying online because you can have the heavy fan shipped to your home. Shopping sites such as Amazon also offer easy returns if you experience any problems or find that the fan isn’t right for your home.
Standard Ceiling Fan
The first type of ceiling fan is one that manufacturers refer to as a standard model. This is one that has an arm that attaches the fan to the ceiling. Manufacturers call this arm a downrod because it looks like a rod that drops down from the ceiling. You can purchase one of these fans in a design or style that matches your entire home or a specific room. Though many shoppers prefer one with a built-in light, you’ll find some that do not have a light. You’ll also find models with three to seven blades and fans with a single central light or multiple lights.
Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Though most people think of ceiling fans in terms of the ones they use inside their homes, you’ll also find models designed for outdoor use. An outdoor ceiling fan should have a cage and/or a glass piece that protects the light from the elements. These models also use weatherproof materials that will keep the fan’s motor from breaking down when it rains or snows. We highly recommend looking at outdoor models with a flush mount design if you live in a windy area. Those high winds can damage a downrod and make it come right out of your ceiling.
Flush Mount Ceiling Fan
You must install a ceiling fan so that it provides at least seven feet of clearance between the floor and the bottom of the fan. If you have shorter walls, you’ll want a flush mount ceiling fan. Also called a low profile fan, these models have a small bracket that you mount right onto the ceiling. The fan then attaches to this bracket, which will keep it from shaking or wobbling. These fans will work in any type of room but do best in those with walls that are seven to eight feel all. Some manufacturers call these hugger fans because they hug the ceiling.
Remote Control Ceiling Fan
Remote control ceiling fans aren’t just for those who want to adjust the speed and lights while laying in bed. Many people actually use these fans because they live in homes with high ceilings. If you have ceilings that are at least 10 feet high, you’ll need to grab a ladder every time that you want to turn the fan or light on and off. With a remote control model, you can conveniently use that fan. This remote signals a sensor on the side of the fan when you press any button. Most remotes use AA or AAA batteries.
Dual Motor Ceiling Fan
Dual motor ceiling fans are generally best for outdoor use and in extremely large rooms and spaces. If you have a smaller room, the fan may produce so much air that you actually feel too cold. The fans also produce a large amount of noise, which can be annoying in a smaller space. Manufacturers use the term dual motor because these fans have two separate motors that each operate a different set of blades. Though you can use just one of those motors at a time, you typically need to use both to keep the fan from shaking.
Energy Star Ceiling Fan
If you want to save as much money as possible and get a fan that will continue to save you money in the future, you should look for one with an Energy Star rating. Energy Star ratings appear on all types of electrical products and appliances. You can read the information available to see exactly how much it costs to run that item in your home. A model with an Energy Star rating is one that takes less power to run. While these models may cost more initially, they cost less in the long run.
Chandelier Ceiling Fan
If you really want a ceiling fan but don’t want to change the look of your room, you might opt for a chandelier ceiling fan. This is a unique type of fan that is much smaller in size than the other types. It typically features a cage made from metal with frosted glass panels inside. Hidden in the bottom of the cage is a small fan. These fans combine the look of elegant chandeliers with the comfort of a ceiling fan. You may not like this type of fan though because it doesn’t produce all the cool air that you need due to the small fan inside.
Belt Driven Ceiling Fans
Belt driven ceiling fans are common in historic homes and spaces with a vintage feel. Instead of installing and using just one fan, you’ll combine a set of small fans. You can use one in the center of the room and arrange others along the edges or in the corners. A belt connects each fan to the next and helps the blades all move at the same time. This type of fan first arrived on the market in the late 19th century. You’ll find modern versions with a vintage feel that are safer for use today.
Though some reviews claim this Westinghouse fan is the best model for bedrooms, we think it’s the top choice for anyone who wants to cool a single room. Its airflow rating forces air to move at a rate of more than 2,000 cubic feet per minute. This one works particularly well in rooms of up to 80 square feet. The steel motor inside features some silicone parts that help that motor last longer. Westinghouse gives you a two-year warranty on the fans and most of its parts and a lifetime warranty on that motor. The manufacturer also includes detailed instructions that show you how to install this fan on your own.
The Origami has a unique design that features six blades that surround a central light. Those blades all point upwards and force the air down as they spin. You can choose between three different speed settings based on the temperature of the room. It also has a reverse setting that will pull dry air from your room. We like that this model comes in different options too. You can choose from multiple designs that change the color and design of the blades as well as the finish on the housing.
Which Mounting Method is Right for You?
When you buy a ceiling fan, you must mount it onto your ceiling. The best mounting method depends on the overall height of your ceilings.
- Less than eight feet: For ceilings that are less than eight feet tall, you’ll want a low profile mount. This ensures that you have enough space to walk through your home without bumping your head on the blades.
- Up to nine feet: If the ceilings in your home are nine feet tall or just below this mark, you can use any type of standard ceiling fan. The mounting supplies should include a downrod that you mount to the ceiling. All the hardware and wires run through this rod.
- Taller ceilings: Taller ceilings will require a downrod and at least one other rod to mount a fan to its surface. Manufacturers usually only include one of these rods in the packaging. You’ll need to go online or otherwise contact the manufacturer to request additional rods. Some companies will let you do this when you place your first order if you already know how many you need.
- Vaulted ceilings: If you have higher ceilings with a vaulted design, you’ll need a special type of adapter. This adapter will hang down from the sloped surface and support the weight of the fan.
Downrod Length
6 inches
12 inches
24 inches
36 inches
48 inches
60 inches
72 inches
What Size Downrod Do You Need?
Ceiling Height
9 feet
10 feet
12 feet
14 feet
16 feet
18 feet
20 feet
Choosing the Right Blade Size
Before we get into the features that you should think about, we wanted to go over the different sizes of fan blades and the size that you need in your home. Manufacturers may use the word span to describe this feature. Most standard fans and some of the cheaper models have blade spans of up to 36 inches. This size is perfect for rooms that are up to 80 square feet in size, though some manufacturers recommend using these fans in smaller rooms of 50 to 75 square feet.
Fans will a blade span of up to 48 inches are suitable for rooms that measure up to 175 square feet. If you have a room that measures 350 to 400 square feet, you’ll want a fan with a blade span of at least 52 inches. Larger fans can have a blade span of 56 inches or longer. Those fans are best for rooms that have more than 400 square feet of space. If you have an even larger room and find that one fan isn’t enough, you might use two fans. You can place those fans on opposite sides of the room or put both in the center. Dual motor fans work well in bigger rooms too.
Room Size
up to 80 square feet
up to 175 square feet
up to 400 square feet
Blade Span
36 inches
48 inches
56 inches
Dry vs. Wet Fans
Manufacturers rate ceiling fans in three different ways:
- Dry
- Damp
- Wet
It’s important that you choose a fan specifically rated for the conditions inside your home. A ceiling fan with a dry rating is one that you can only use in an enclosed space such as your bedroom. You cannot expose these fans to any type of moisture. Even a leak in your roof can get inside the fan and damage the motor because the housing is not waterproof.
Fans with a damp rating are safe to use in areas with a high humidity level. If you love cooking in the summer but find that your kitchen gets hot and moist, a damp rated fan is a good choice for that room. You cannot use a damp fan in an area with water. The housing protects the motor from humidity but will not protect it from drips or direct contact with water.
You’ll also find models with a wet rating that you can use almost anywhere. Many people use these fans outside. The housing may have a waterproof design and features that protect the elements from other weather conditions too. You can install one on the roof above your deck or patio and on a sunporch.
Features to Consider in an Outdoor Fan
Size
Speed settings
Lighting options
Weatherproof and waterproof housing
Fan Control Options
If you like watching television or reading in bed before falling asleep, you may want to look at the fan control options that are available to you. The best type of control depends on how you use the fan as well as who uses it.
Many standard models have pull chains or cords. Those that lack a lighting fixture will have just one chain, while those that have a built-in light will feature two chains. Each chain corresponds to either the fan settings or the light. You can pull on the chain that controls the fan several times to cycle through the fan settings and to turn the fan off.
Remote controls are much more convenient than pull chains and cords. Many newer models do not even include any chains. You simply put batteries in the remote and aim it at a sensor. The buttons that you push determine what the fan does. Some companies require that you set up the remote to work with the fan, which can take a few minutes.
You’ll also find wall controls that you install on the wall. This often requires help from an electrician because you need to access your home’s electrical system. Wall panels give you control over the entire fan via buttons or knobs.
Ceiling Fan Buying Guide – What to Consider
With so many different types of ceiling fans available, you might feel overwhelmed at all of those options. We included product descriptions and reviews of the top five products that we think are the best around. To help our readers, we also wanted to take a detailed look at ceiling fans and go over the features that matter most to shoppers today. Whether you want a fan for your child’s bedroom or your kitchen, you’ll want to look at all these features as you shop.
Lights or No Lights
The first thing you should decide on is whether you prefer a fan with lights or one that does not have lights. If you do not currently have an overhead light fixture in your room, you will need to spend more time or pay extra to hook up a new light. Even if you decide on one with a light, you need to decide whether you prefer one that has three to five lights or one that has just a single light. Fans with multiple lights are often brighter than those that use just a single bulb.
Motor Size
Experts recommend that you look at the blade size when deciding which type of fan to buy and that you compare the size of those blades to the size of your room. You should also consider the size of the motor. If the motor is too small, it might burn out when you leave the fan running on a high setting for several weeks or more. Fans with a larger motor will last longer and are better for larger rooms. You might find one that can cool a studio apartment or several rooms with an open floor plan.
Number of Blades
Cheaper fans usually have a small number of blades than more expensive fans do. The number of blades will tell you how efficiently the fan operates and how much air it will circulate around the room. One thing to keep in mind though is that the airflow doesn’t vary much when you hit a certain point. Many users will not notice a difference between a fan with five blades and one with six blades. Those that have five blades are usually stronger than those that have three though. Some inexpensive models may have just two blades.
Included Accessories
To entice shoppers into buying from them, some manufacturers now offer bundle deals. Instead of just buying a ceiling fan, you might get a package that comes with a bonus cleaning kit. Accessories can also include bulbs and downrods. If you need a fan that hangs down lower from your ceiling, you must make sure that it comes with at least one of these rods. Fans that come with bulbs for the light fixtures make it easier for you to set up the fan and use it. You can put those lights into the fixture before hanging the fan.
Housing Finish
Even the cheapest of fans will have a metal housing that covers the motor and all connected parts. This housing has small holes or slots across the sides that allow air to flow through, which keeps the motor from overheating. When you look at some of the more popular ceiling fans on the market, you’ll find that you can choose from different finishes for that housing. Modern finishes include both stainless steel and chrome. These finishes are brighter and shinier than other types. If you prefer a more traditional look, you might want a fan with a vintage or distressed finish.
Bulb Type
A common mistake that shoppers sometimes make is that they don’t think about the type of bulbs that a fan with lights needs. Some models rely on the standard bulbs that you can pick up at the grocery or hardware store. Other models may use specialty bulbs that are only available from a few sources. When the light blows, you’ll need to make a special order just to get them. Specialty bulbs are often small in size and only last for a few months. Energy efficient bulbs can last for years.
Blade Pitch
Blade pitch is a term that refers to the slant or the angle of the blades in connection to the housing and motor. Manufacturers use different pitches, but you’ll usually find a steeper pitch on more expensive models. The idea is that this pitch will push more air down, which can cool a room faster. When you use the fan on a cooler day in a reversible mode, it will pull more air out of that space faster. A good pitch is one that is at least 12 degrees. Some of the models on our list and others that we found have a pitch of up to 14 or 15 degrees.
CFM
The most important thing that matters to most shoppers is how fast the fan runs. You can get an idea of its speed with a look at its CFM. A higher ratio of cubic feet per minute lets you know that the fan is efficient and that it will not only cool a room quickly but circulate that air around the room faster. Fans with a higher CFM work well in larger rooms and in smaller spaces too. You’ll want to look for a model that has a rating of at least 2,000 cubic feet per minute.
Design
You should consider the style and design of the room when choosing a ceiling fan too. If you buy the wrong fan, it will stick out from that room like a sore thumb. Let’s say that you have a bedroom with elegant furnishings and a classic design. The fan that you pick should use the same colors and have a tasteful look. Modern and contemporary designs that incorporate bright colors on the blades and shiny finishes on the housings won’t work in that room. You may want to consider the design or style of the blades too.
Materials Used
It shouldn’t surprise you that cheap ceiling fans use cheap materials. Though the blades might look like real hardwood online, they may use plywood or pressed board in real life. Pressed boards feature sawdust and other trimmings that manufacturers mix with an adhesive and press into different shapes. MDF is fairly similar. To make the blades look like wood, the manufacturer will then add a vinyl material to the surface with a wood grain pattern on the top. Fans that use real wood are more expensive but often worth the price.
Brand
A brand name is important to many shoppers because they want to stick with brands they know and trust. If you purchased and installed a ceiling fan that shook so much you thought it might crash down on your head, you probably don’t want to buy one from that same manufacturer in the future. Even if you don’t have experience with specific brand names, you can find out more about those brands online through customer reviews. You’ll find both positive and negative reviews that cover everything from the noises it produced and whether it vibrated to how long it lasted and whether the finish wore off over time.
Price
We encourage readers to spend as much as they can afford on a ceiling fan. In our section on the average prices for ceiling fans, which you’ll find below, we go over the cost of inexpensive models and higher-end options. Many shoppers cannot afford to spend $500 to $600 or even more on a simple fan. If you had that much to spend, you might purchase another air conditioner instead. You can get a good fan that will work in any room and help you stay cool for less than $200. We recommend that you factor in any future costs too, including the cost of replacement bulbs and extra rods.
Other Ceiling Fan Options for Different Rooms
Ceiling Fan Installation Tips
- Read through the instructions: Before you remove your old fan or start working on your new fan, you should read through all the instructions that came in the box. If you have questions about any steps or aren’t sure exactly what to do, contact a professional or the manufacturer.
- Turn off the power: No matter what type of fan you buy, you must turn off the power to your home before you install it. This ensures that there is no power flowing to the room and reduces the risk that you might shock yourself.
- Install the brace: The brace, also called a bracket, is the piece of the fan that keeps it from wobbling and falling off the ceiling. Once you install it, you should push it back and forth with your hands to see if it moves. If you notice any signs of movement, it may not support the fan.
- Keep your tools nearby: Though this might sound like a simple step, it’s one that many people forget. You’ll generally need to stand on a ladder as you install the fan. When you keep your toolbox on a lower rung, you’ll have all the supplies that you need for the job on hand.
How to Clean Your Ceiling Fan with the Pillowcase Method
One of the easiest and most convenient ways to clean your ceiling fan is with the pillowcase method. All you need for this task is an old pillowcase that is clean and dry on the inside and a ladder that gives you access to your fan. This method does a great job of removing animal hair and any other debris that accumulates on the blades.
- Place the ladder: You’ll start with the placement of the ladder, which you should put flat on the floor. Make sure that the ladder is completely stable before you stand on it.
- Cover the blade: Place the pillowcase on the end of the blade and carefully move the case back until the fabric touches the opposite end of the blade. The blade should fit inside the pocket of the pillowcase.
- Apply pressure: You can then wrap the pillowcase completely around the blade and apply some pressure until you feel the fabric touching both the bottom and top of the blade. Slide the pillowcase back towards your body as you continue applying pressure. This will remove any debris from the blades and trap that trash in the pillowcase.
- Repeat: Once you finish cleaning one blade, you can work your way around the fan to clean each one. You can usually spin the fan to make the blades come to you.
How to Use a Fan Blade Dusting Kit
A fan blade dusting kit is a set of tools that contains everything you need to clean your fan while keeping both feet on the ground. These kits are great for those who don’t want to drag out a ladder every week and those who have fans on high ceilings. Most come with dusting cloths made from a microfiber material that won’t scratch the blades.
Before using one of these kits, you must assemble the duster. Most have a pole with a screw-on end. You can place the tool that you want to use at the end of the pole and screw it into place. It’s helpful to place a trash bag on the floor or some type of container that will catch all the debris that comes off the fan.
As you stand in the center of the room and directly beneath the fan, run the tool across the top of one blade. You can then use the pole to rotate the fan to reach the other blades. Once you dust off the top, you can work on the bottom of each blade. Some of the newer kits come with cloths that will completely cover the blade and catch all that debris.
What is the Average Price for a Ceiling Fan?
Despite what you might think, there really is no average price for a ceiling fan. The cost depends on the size of the fan and its top features. Most of the models on our list retail for between $100 and $200, though we did include a high-end option that retails for close to $300.
Manufacturers typically offer cheap and inexpensive ceiling fans for $50 to $100. These fans are much smaller and usually only have three blades. When you use a smaller fan, it may not circulate the air as quickly as you would like.
If you increase your budget to between $100 and $150 or $175, you can get a fan with a better look and more features. These models may have five or six blades and come with a remote. When you’re in bed and want to turn the fan down or the lights off, you’ll like having a remote control. Fans in this price range often have a reversible mode too.
Models with a higher energy efficiency rating, which means that they can save on your electric costs, retail for as much as $300. Those who want to spend even more will find fans priced at $600 or more. Those high-end models may not have any new features though.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: A common worry that many shoppers have when looking at fans with controls is what happens when they lose those remotes. Many companies offer replacements that you can buy online or direct from the company. You’ll also find some universal remotes available too. These controls often work with fans from certain manufacturers.
A: While circulating air can help your home feel cool, it can also kick up other dust and debris that sticks to the fan blades. You may not notice how dirty they look until you turn off your fan. Experts recommend that you wipe down the blades at least once every two weeks. If you have pets, you may want to clean the blades every week.
A: When shopping for a ceiling fan for your little girl or boy, you can stick to the steps and features we outlined to find one that will grow with your child. You can also look for decorative models that work with the theme of your child’s bedroom. Companies make fans with blades shaped like crayons and other fun objects and housings that look like castles and basketball hoops.
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