4 Tips for Choosing a Ceiling Fan

A ceiling fan can come in handy at all times of the year. When the weather is warm, it can cool by creating a breeze, and when the weather is cold, it can redirect warm air that has risen to the ceiling. It can also fulfill a decorative function. Ceiling fans are appropriate for rooms of all sizes, but before you hire an electrician in Victoria to install one for you, you have to be sure that you have chosen the right one. Here are some tips to help you make that decision.

Choose Which Room You Want It In

Because ceiling fans help to make a room more comfortable, you should install them in the rooms where you spend the most time to take full advantage of them. Common locations for ceiling fans include bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. Of course, if you have an open concept home in which the living room, kitchen, and dining area are all in one large room, you only need one ceiling fan for that area. You aren’t limited in the number of ceiling fans you can have in the home. For example, you could decide to put them in every bedroom or have one only in the master suite.

Get the Correct Height

Ceiling fans can go in rooms of any size, but you have to match the fan to the right height. A ceiling fan that hangs too far down in a low-ceilinged room could strike someone on the head when in operation and cause an injury. On the other hand, a fan that does not hang down far enough into a high-ceilinged room won’t do you much good because it won’t have enough room to function properly.

The optimal height for a ceiling fan is approximately eight or nine feet from floor level. If the fan doesn’t reach that far by itself because you have a tall ceiling, you can buy an extension rod. Extension rods are available for sale in 12-inch to 72-inch lengths. To ensure adequate clearance in a low-ceilinged room, you should choose a “ceiling hugger” fan, also known as a flush mount model.

Choose Your Control Options

Traditionally, ceiling fans have been controlled by pull chains that allow you to turn the fan — and the lights, if applicable — on and off as desired. Pull chains are still a control option and, in some cases, the only one. However, other fans can be controlled with wall-mounted switches or a control panel that allows you to choose different fans speeds. Others can be controlled by remote so that you don’t even have to get up from your chair to turn the fan or the lights on.

However, because not every option is available for every fan, you need to decide on the control option you want early on.

Size the Fan Appropriately to the Room

A fan that is either too large or too small for the room looks strange and may not function adequately. A fan that is too large for the room may additionally pose a safety risk. Therefore, it is important that you choose a fan that is proportionate to the size of the room in which you are installing it. For example, you should choose a fan with a blade span of 50 to 54 inches if the room is between 225 to 400 square feet. For a room that is 75 square feet or smaller, the blade span should be no larger than 36 inches.

Take the Next Step by Hiring an Electrician in Victoria

Once you’ve chosen a ceiling fan, professional installation by Handyman Connection ensures that the job is done right so you can relax and enjoy. Find out about all the services we offer, which include electrical repair services in addition to installations.