There’s no denying the fact that Florida summers can get exceedingly hot. Having ceiling fans installed in your home is a great way to help supplement your HVAC system and be more efficient with your energy usage. Below, we’re going to go over some of our best tips to help you find the optimal ceiling fan for your home.
Understanding Usage Ratings
Every ceiling fan is going to be given a specific usage rating based on the type of environment it can be used in. Ceiling fans that are given a rating for dry environments are those that can be used in areas like offices, hallways, dens, and living rooms. These fans cannot be exposed to extreme temperatures, UV lights, or moisture (including high humidity), as they will become damaged.
Ceiling fans rated for damp environments are more tolerant of moisture and temperature changes. These fans are best utilized in more humid areas of your home, like your kitchen, bathroom, garage, laundry room, or since we’re in Port St. Lucie, screened-in porch. It’s important to note that fans rated for damp areas should not be directly exposed to water or rain.
Lastly, ceiling fans rated for wet environments are going to be the most durable out there. Their fan blades are constructed of materials that are less susceptible to warping and water damage. In addition, their motor casing and internal components are going to be protected from corrosion that could be caused by moisture exposure. These fans are best utilized in bathrooms, patios, and outside gathering areas.
Types of Ceiling Fans
There are three main types of ceiling fans that you can purchase for your home. These include standard fans, low-profile fans, and dual-motor fans. It’s important to realize that each works best in different applications. Your standard ceiling fans are going to be the most common and include four or five spinning blades. These fans come with a standard downrod and are ideal for most typical ceiling heights.
Low-profile ceiling fans can also be referred to as hugger fans or flush-mounted fans. They tend to have smaller blades and motor casings, which are ideal for narrower spaces. Low-profile fans are best suited for areas where the ceiling height is fairly low, as they don’t have the traditional downrod.
Dual-motor ceiling fans can be used in locations where you’re looking to get multidirectional airflow. Each fan can be pointed in its own direction and set to spin at its own speed. Together, you’re able to cover a wider area than a standard or low-profile ceiling fan can.
General Rules of Thumb
When you’re determining the appropriate ceiling fan to put in a specific room of your home, there are some general rules of thumb that you want to take into consideration. You’ll need to determine what rating the fan needs to have and the specific type of fan you want.
No fan should ever be installed lower than seven feet above ground level. This allows for maximum safety of everyone in the room. Furthermore, fans generally should be installed in the center of a room, and the tip of the fan blade should never be closer than 20 inches to a wall.
You can typically determine the necessary ceiling fan size by checking what the total square footage of the room is. The higher the room’s square footage, the bigger the blade span is going to be. For example, rooms that are below 75 square feet will be best suited with a fan with blade spans 29 to 36 inches long. However, rooms with a total square footage of between 225 and 400 will need a fan with blade spans ranging from 50 to 54 inches long.
You also need to decide whether or not you want your ceiling fans to have lights. Fans are available with and without these lighting fixtures. Furthermore, there are many other considerations you can take into account when deciding on the perfect ceiling fan. These include things like the style of the fan, its color arrangement, and whether or not it’s rated by ENERGY STAR.
Expert Ceiling Fan Installation Service
Stott Brothers Electric offers expert ceiling fan installation services for the whole Port St. Lucie, FL area. Our electricians can also help with all your panel upgrade, indoor and outdoor lighting, generator, landscape lighting, EV charging, surge protection, electrical outlets, and repair needs. Contact our friendly staff today to schedule your next consultation.
