The Ultimate Ceiling Fan Buyer’s Guide
Updated 1/28/25 by Angela Rogers
Whether it’s a new build, remodel or replacement, there’s a great deal to consider when buying a new ceiling fan. While you could just buy and install any ceiling fan, you may find that you aren’t getting the best cooling power or the most energy efficient fan if you pick up the first one you see. Differences in motor type, size and number of blades, distance from the floor, and fan speed should all be considered before you purchase a new fan.
Additionally, ceiling fans are also broken down by ratings for energy efficiency, speed, location, and light sources. Acronyms like HP, RPM, and CFM can be confusing without previous exposure, and the addition of energy efficient options like DC motors or LED light kits can add to that confusion. Even if your fans are already installed, it’s never a bad idea to review new options for upgrades.
Once you start paying attention to the technical side of ceiling fans, things can get somewhat overwhelming. Don’t worry; a little guidance will clear things up nicely.
Ceiling Fan Size Considerations
Fan Size
The main reason you want a ceiling fan is for air circulation, so consider fan size first. Blade size and ceiling fan diameter are deciding factors on just how much air can be moved throughout a room (and whether or not your fan will fit inside the room). If you’re replacing your current fan, and were happy with the circulation it provided, just measure the diameter of the fan itself to find a suitable replacement.
There are two ways to measure diameter, depending on whether your fan has an even or odd number of blades.
Four Blades: from one blade tip to the opposite blade tip to get the diameter.
Three or Five Blades: measure from the tip of one blade to the center of the fan and double that distance.
If you don’t have the original fan, then consider the size of the room. Smaller rooms will use smaller fans. As an example: A laundry room will usually use a smaller fan with a diameter of 29 to 36 inches. Standard living areas like bedrooms and living rooms will need larger fans, a 44” ceiling fan will usually do the trick.
While we’re talking about blade size, it’s important to mention blade number. You’ve probably noticed that fans come with different numbers of blades. The most common are three to five blade fans, but you’ll find ceiling fans that sport a single blade and some that have as many as nine! As the blade number increases, the fan becomes quieter but moves less air. Four- and five-blade fans have become the standard because they are the best balance of air circulation and noise level. But if you want more air to circulate, and you don’t mind a little noise, use a three-blade fan. In the same way, if noise is an issue, use a five-blade fan.
Clearance
So you know that your fan will fit in the room, and that air circulation won’t be a problem. The next step is to check for clearance around the fan. When it comes to the average American, 5’ 10” is the upper bound limit of height. It is for this reason that a ceiling fan should be no lower than 7’ above the floor (and no higher than 9’ for circulation purposes). The 7’ clearance ensures safety for anyone standing beneath the fan while also keeping the fan close enough to the ground to provide proper air circulation. Ceiling height is usually adjusted by using a downrod to raise or lower the fan.
Keeping at least 8-10” inches of clearance between the fan blade and ceiling is also vital. This clearance protects the blades if they begin to wobble and, more importantly, allows for proper airflow above the fan. Having more space above the fan isn’t a problem, but be sure to keep this minimum distance if you can.
Don’t forget to leave clearance from the blades to walls and other fixtures. The recommended distance is to keep ceiling fans at least 18” away from walls and 39” from other ceiling fixtures. Maintaining proper distance protects your fan blades (as well as the other objects in the room) and allows for proper air movement throughout the room. This should include considerations for sloped ceilings, where a downrod is necessary to prevent fan blades from hitting the ceiling.
Mounting
Ceiling fans come with many different mounting options. The most common are:
Standard: Typically a base with a 3-5 inch downrod.
Extended: Designed for tall ceilings using a downrod between 6 and 120 inches.
Flush Mount: Useful for very low ceilings, flush mounts do not use a downrod. Flush mount fans are anchored directly to the ceiling instead. These “hugger” fans are low profile and do not move as much air as traditional fans.
Sloped Mounts: Used on angled or vaulted ceilings.
Ceiling fans require a lot of clearance, not just for safety, but also to maximize airflow around the room. Now that you know what to look for, setting up a new fan will be easy.
Ceiling Fan Power and Energy Factors
Ratings
The two most important certification ratings you’ll find are the ENERGY STAR and UL ratings. Ceiling fans with an ENERGY STAR rating are typically 20% more efficient than fans without the rating. UL ratings give you an idea of how the fan is best used and where you should or should not place the ceiling fan.
Dry Locations: Indoors only. Dry location rated ceiling fans should only be used indoors and should not be placed in rooms where humidity is an issue.
Damp Locations: Any place that does not come into direct contact with water. Damp location rated ceiling fans can handle moisture such as steam or mist, but should never come into direct contact with intense weather or water.
Wet Locations: Indoors or outdoors. Wet location rated fans are sealed against water so they can be used outside under covered awnings.
You’ll also find fans labeled for Horse Power (HP), Revolutions per Minute (RPM), and Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). All of these specs give you a different way to compare fans against each other, but they are not interchangeable.
Horse power is a direct measurement of the power in the fan motor itself. A higher HP motor will allow for longer blades and faster rotations, but unless you’re in the habit of converting between values, it will only give you a ball-park figure. However, it is useful for seeing fan efficiency. For example: If you have two fans with identical diameters, the same number of blades, and equal CFM ratings, the fan with a lower horse power motor will run more efficiently since it requires a less powerful motor to operate. On the other hand, using a more powerful motor will lead to a longer lifespan since it won’t be as stressed throughout its lifetime.
The revolutions per minute rating simply states how many times the fan will rotate each minute. Higher RPM fans will move more air than lower RPM fans of the same size. While a high RPM will tell you how fast your fan moves, CFM is a much better metric for measuring fans. A fan’s CFM measures the rate of airflow around a fan in cubic-feet of air moved per minute. CFM automatically considers blade pitch, number, length, and RPM, making it the best comparison tool between fans. Remember: The higher the CFM rating, the stronger the breeze created by your fan.
Light Kits
We’ve covered the benefits of different types of light sources before, so I’ll be brief. While some ceiling fans are designed with built in LED light kits, most fans use standard candelabra or Edison-base sockets for traditional lights. The benefits of incandescent, LED, or fluorescent lights still apply, with incandescents being the easiest to dim and cheapest to replace. However, it should be noted that ceiling fans decrease the life of incandescent and fluorescent lightbulbs due to vibration, making them ideal for use with LED light bulbs. Energy cost is also an important consideration, as a 100-watt AC motor with four 60-watt incandescent light bulbs gives you a 340-watt fixture.
AC and DC Motors
There are many differences between AC and DC motors. Many of these are differences in specs such as slip (the lag between motor start, and actual revolutions) and overall torque. For a consumer, these elements aren’t all that important. The major distinction between a DC fan and an AC fan is that a DC motor will give an instant start of rotation and is up to 70% more efficient than a traditional AC fan. DC motors are also quieter when compared to AC motors. Unfortunately, DC fans are slightly more expensive due to the more complicated conversion circuitry used.
All of these ratings help you to focus your purchase based on what’s important to you. Do you need a specialized fan for a porch? If so, look for a wet location rated fan. If your concern is energy efficiency, look for a DC fan and use an LED light kit. Select the features that matter most to you, then match specs accordingly.
Ceiling Fan Style and Function
Fan Speed
Fans spin and circulate air, which can be a major relief or a major pain depending on the setting and time of year. For this reason, it’s smart to install fan speed controls if your fan is capable of supporting different speeds. While many newer fans have functional remotes and wall controls that can interface with your lighting, a simple pull-chain, 3-speed fan will accomplish this task just as effectively. Speed controls are also important for the sake of energy efficiency. Fans only circulate air, which means they cool down people, not rooms. Running a fan at a lower speed and turning it off while not in the room will save money on utility bills and improve the life of your ceiling fans.
To maximize the utility of your fans, it’s also a good idea to make sure the fan direction can be reversed. In colder months, reversing the direction of your ceiling fan can help keep you warm. A reversed fan pulls colder air to the ceiling and forces warm air down the sides of the room to the floor. As an added bonus, a reversed ceiling fan circulates air indirectly around the room. This means that lightweight objects directly under the fan won’t be scattered by the breeze.
Fan Aesthetic Options
First, consider the application. Is the room lit well enough, or do you need a light kit? Lighted ceiling fans usually require extra clearance to account for the lights, this isn’t always the case but it’s wise to account for it initially. Fans come with a wide array of light kits, which you can adjust to match your room. If you want a soft appearance, then mix warm white lights with a shaded or frosted cover to give a soft glow to the room. If you simply want a strong light in the room, then use a simple light shade that doesn’t completely cover the bulb.
Second, is the room going to be used often for different events and tasks? If your answer is yes, it’s not a bad idea to add customizability to your fan. Install fan speed controls and dimmer switches to give you extra options in climate control and room ambience.
The next thing you’ll want to check is the aesthetics of your fan. While the fixture itself may look nice, how does the finish match the room? Earth tones (think bronze or brass) and darker woods give a very rustic feel to a room. When mixed with a warm white light they can create a very cozy atmosphere that’s warm and inviting. At the same time, you’ll find that more contemporary finishes such as silver or black can give a more austere look, keeping the fixture out of view to emphasize the room. This kind of look fits well with brighter colors or shades of white, to give an open and airy feel to a room.
And there you have it. Ceiling fans have a variety of options for matching your room for form, function, or appearance. A little careful planning can give you a room that’s customizable and stylish. It’s also worth noting that if you can’t fit a ceiling fan into a room (for some reason), these options still apply to floor and desk fans as well. If you have any other questions, or some suggestions of your own, feel free to comment below. We’d also love to see any installations you’ve made, just send us a picture through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Instagram! Explore our wide selection of light fixtures by visiting our website.
