Ceiling fans circulate cool air in rooms with vaulted ceilings.
In a home with a 12-foot vaulted ceiling, the temperature range from the floor to the ceiling can be as much as 15 degrees, notes a "Fine Homebuilding" article on the website for Energy Star. However, a ceiling fan can reduce this temperature difference to just two degrees.
Features
In order for a ceiling fan to effectively cool a room, it should be no more than 10 feet above the floor. This will provide the best airflow year-round. However, because vaulted ceilings are typically more than 10 feet high, adjustments must be made to a standard ceiling fan so that it can be used in a room with a vaulted or cathedral ceiling. This usually entails mounting the fan on an extension rod so that it hangs at the optimum height.
Function
If you have a ceiling fan installed for use on a vaulted ceiling, you can have the fan connected to a wall switch so that you can turn it on or off -- as opposed to fans at lower heights, which could be turned on using a manual pull switch. Another option for using a ceiling fan mounted from a vaulted ceiling is to purchase a model with a remote control.
Installation
The specific accessories you use to install a ceiling fan on a vaulted ceiling will depend on the angle of your ceiling. Southern Home Comforts, an authorized dealer for Hunter ceiling fans, notes on its website that you can purchase an extension downrod if your vaulted ceiling is at an angle of 34 degrees. For vaulted ceilings as steep as 45 degrees, you will need an angle mount in addition to the downrod.
Considerations
Downrods can be purchased in colors that match your ceiling fan for a seamless blend with your room's decor. When it comes to determining the proper length for the downrod, Southern Home Comforts notes that for a 12-foot vaulted ceiling, you would need a 3-foot downrod. You can add an to the downrod length for each additional foot of ceiling height.
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