How to Choose the Best Ceiling Fan for Your Home

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A ceiling fan can be one of the most useful fixtures in your home. You can use it to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Ceiling fan use can also slash your heating and cooling costs.

But, with so many fans on the market, it can be hard to choose the right one for your home. How big should your ceiling fan be? What features do you need? What design will look best? Read on for the answers to these and more questions about how to choose your best ceiling fan.

Size Matters

Size may be the most important consideration when you’re buying a ceiling fan. Any ceiling fan you purchase needs to be well sized for the space you’re going to put it in. A ceiling fan that is too small for the space won’t create enough airflow to cool you effectively. A fan that is too big will create an overpowering amount of airflow, so you’ll feel like you’re in a wind tunnel.

Ceiling fans come in sizes ranging from about 29 inches in diameter to 60 inches wide or more. The measurement is taken across the width of the fan blades, from one blade tip to another. To find the right size fan for your room, measure the square footage of the room. Size your fan to your room according to these guidelines:

For rooms smaller than 75 feet, choose a fan no bigger than 36 inches wide.
For rooms 75 to 144 square feet, choose a fan 36 to 42 inches wide.
For rooms 145 to 224 square feet, choose a fan 44 to 50 inches wide.
For rooms 225 to 400 square feet, choose a fan 50 to 54 inches wide.
For rooms bigger than 400 square feet, choose a fan 60 inches or more wide.

If you’re placing a ceiling fan in a very large room, it might be best to hang multiple ceiling fans instead of one very large one.

Know the Difference Between Wet-, Damp-, and Dry-Rated Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are rated for wet, damp, or dry conditions. A dry-rated fan can be used only indoors in rooms where moisture and humidity aren’t present – living rooms, bedrooms, rumpus rooms, and so on. Damp-rated fans should be hung only indoors but can be used in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom, where moisture and humidity are present. Wet-rated fans are best for use outdoors, where they will be exposed to the elements even if they’re on a covered porch or patio. If you’re buying a fan for a coastal house that will be exposed to salty sea winds, choose a marine-rated fan that is built to withstand their corrosive power.

Choose Your Favorite Fan Features

Of course, if you only have the budget for a simple fan, you may only get simple fan features like pull chains and a light fixture. But if you have a little more to spend, you can choose a fan with more modern features. You can buy a ceiling fan with wireless wall controls that are easy to install, or a ceiling fan with a remote to make turning the fan off and on or setting a fan timer easier. These days, you can even buy smart fans that can connect to your phone. Look for features you want, such as timers, dimmable light fixtures, remote controls, wireless wall controls, or smart connectivity.

Match the Fan Style to Your Decor

Choosing a fan style that complements your home decor can be the hardest part of buying a ceiling fan, because there are so many styles to choose from these days. You can buy a fan with two blades or one with nine blades. You can buy a dual fan or a single fan. You can buy a palm-leaf fan with a more coastal vibe, or a sleek modern design that fits a contemporary decorating style.

Consider how your home is decorated. What kind of wood is your furniture and trim made out of? What about the metal fixtures in your home, like light switches and doorknobs? Choose a fan with matching trim as well as one with a matching style so that your fan looks like it belongs in the room.

Choosing a ceiling fan for your home isn’t always easy. The most important thing to consider is size, followed by features and style. Make sure your new fan is rated for the moisture conditions it will encounter. Then you’ll be able to enjoy refreshing breezes for years to come.