Ceiling Fan Tips
Proper installation and usage of ceiling fans will impact your energy savings. Here are some tips to help you achieve that.
Mounting the Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans need to be mounted to the building’s structural frame. In general, ceiling fans weigh a fair bit more than light fixtures—perhaps…50 pounds! A special fan-rated box is required by code for this heavier fixture.
What if your fan is Wobbly?
The bulk of fans come balanced from the factory. In the odd case, a fan may wobble slightly. In rare cases, some fans that may wobble include balance kits. If all blades are aligned, a balancing kit will balance the fan. Kits are included with the product or can be mailed to you by the manufacturer. You can also find a ceiling fan balancing kit at your local hardware store. Here is a link to a short video from Lowe’s on a kit they sell.
Energy saving tip
Turn off your ceiling fan when the room is unoccupied, as fans do not cool or heat rooms. Instead, ceiling fans cool or heat people. In the summer, direct the fan to blow air downward. This creates a cool breeze, or a wind-chill effect, so you will “feel” cooler. In winter, set the fan to low speed and direct it to draw air upward into the fan. This will draw warm air near the ceiling down to the floor along the walls, keeping you warm. Ceiling fans enable you to adjust your thermostat, so you do not need to generate as much heat in the winter, or as much cooling in the summer…thus saving on your cooling and heating energy bill.
Need light?
Many ceiling fan units double as light fixtures, eliminating the need for separate overhead lighting.
Outdoors
When choosing a ceiling fan for an outdoor space, take into account whether it’s exposed to humidity or rain. An improperly rated fan exposed to the elements will gradually corrode and, if not properly rated, may fail prematurely.
There are 2 ratings for outdoor ceiling fans: damp-rated or wet-rated.
Ceiling fans rated for damp locations
Ceiling fans rated for damp locations are designed for covered outdoor spaces…such as covered patios, porches…OR inside places like bathrooms and laundry rooms that may be exposed to higher humidity. These fans are moisture-resistant, and all hardware is constructed from rust-resistant stainless steel.
Ceiling fans rated for wet locations
These types of fans are designed for locations exposed to the elements. They are designed for the outdoors, where rain and snow will fall on them. They are Ideal for gazebos and pergolas. These fans are built with moisture-resistant motors and all-weather blades for long-lasting and safe performance.
Room size and ceiling fan diameter
The larger the fan diameter, the greater the airflow, and the larger the room the fan is suitable for.
For rooms 100 square feet or less, the ceiling fan diameter is recommended to be between 30 inches and 48 inches. These fans are ideal for home offices and laundry rooms.
For rooms under 400 square feet, the ceiling fan diameter is recommended to be between 48 inches and 54 inches. These fans are suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens.
For rooms over 400 square feet, a ceiling fan diameter of 56 inches or larger is recommended. These fans are suitable for open concept living areas or lofts with ample space.
GET YOUR CEILING FAN MOUNTED TODAY IN GREENVILLE, SC
The sooner you install your new ceiling fan, the sooner you will enjoy the comfort of airflow that cools you in summer and distributes heat more evenly in winter. Ceiling fans also save energy costs. Not only will you improve your home’s comfort with ceiling fans, but you will also see a return on your investment. It pays to install ceiling fans!
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