The addition of a ceiling fan can add beauty to any room of your home. A ceiling fan also can help to cool the room, which can save you money on your monthly energy bill. Ceiling fans vary widely in style and function, so it is important to know what you should look for before you buy one.
Energy Rating
Look for ceiling fans with the Energy Star logo, which means it can save you money on your monthly energy bill. A ceiling fan with lights that displays the Energy Star logo will use about 50 percent less energy than a similar fan that is not Energy Star-rated. If your ceiling fan has a light on it, you can increase your energy savings by using compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Moisture Rating
Choose a ceiling fan for the location in which you will install it. You need a fan that the Underwriters Laboratory rates as suitable for installation in wet areas if it will be installed on a porch or other area where it may become wet. UL also rates some ceiling fans as "damp," meaning you may install them in areas with high humidity, such as a bathroom.
Size
There are several sizes of ceiling fans available. The size is the diameter, in inches, of the assembled ceiling fan's blades. Sizes range from 29 to 54 inches. For a room up to 75 in size, choose a 29- to 36-inch ceiling fan. Rooms with 76 to 144 square feet will need a 36- to 42-inch ceiling fan, 145 to 225 square feet require a 44-inch fan, and 226 to 400 square feet a 50- to 54-inch fan. If your room has more than 400 square feet, you may need to install more than one ceiling fan, spacing them out evenly.
Lighting
You can buy ceiling fans with or without lights. If your room does not need extra lighting, choose a ceiling fan without lights. You can add or change light kits on most types of . If you choose a light kit with glass shades, buy extra shades if you can. This will allow you to replace broken shades in the future without having to replace the entire light kit if your shades are no longer available then.
Mounting
Typically, you will install a ceiling fan about 7 feet above the floor. If your room has a low ceiling, choose a flush or "hugger" mounting. This type of mounting does not use a downrod to position the ceiling fan closer to the floor. Standard ceiling fan installation calls for a 3- to 5-inch downrod, and longer lengths are available for installation in rooms with high ceilings. Vaulted or slanted ceilings require a ceiling fan that is compatible with a slanted installation.
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