Ceiling fans help circulate air and regulate temperatures in rooms like bedrooms, family rooms, and kitchens. When used properly, they can save energy and lower cooling bills. In fact, many homeowners opt for a ceiling fan installation over a traditional air conditioning unit to keep their spaces cool.
To ensure your ceiling fan performs as intended, it’s important to choose a proper size. This means calculating the square footage of your space to ensure the fan’s blades are big enough to reach every area. It also helps to use a downrod that’s the right length for your ceiling height. A general rule of thumb is to add 6 inches to the ceiling height for each foot of room height to determine the ideal downrod length.
Choosing a ceiling fan with an efficient motor is also essential to saving on power consumption. A ceiling fan’s CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating is a good indicator of how efficiently it moves air. The higher the rating, the better.
Another factor to consider is blade weight. It’s important that all the fan blades are the same weight to prevent imbalance and excessive wear on the motor.
It’s also a good idea to look for a ceiling fan with an anti-dust system or blade guards to prevent dust buildup. You should also dust your fan regularly — the frequency will depend on how often you use your fan — to avoid spreading dust throughout your home. To clean your fan quickly and easily, try placing a pillowcase over a blade and gently pulling it back toward the tip of the blade.