How to Choose a Ceiling Fan

Oct 17, 2023

Unlike air conditioners, ceiling fans don't lower a room's temperature. But running a ceiling fan can save energy and money by allowing you to turn your thermostat up a few degrees or even shut your AC off entirely without sacrificing comfort.

A ceiling fan's job is fairly simple: to move air—a lot or a little—and do so quietly. So CR rates the ceiling fans in our tests based on their airflow on high and low, the noise that they create in doing so, and whether the fan's motor creates additional noise.

Ceiling fans come in a variety of styles and finishes. In our most recent ratings, we’ve tested nine three-speed fans that are 52 inches in diameter, the most widely sold size.

Fans save energy. According to Energy Star, you can save 3 to 5 percent on air-conditioning costs for each degree you raise your thermostat on a hot summer's day. Using a ceiling fan (which costs much less to run) can make you feel up to 4° F cooler, enabling you to set your thermostat a bit higher and still keep comfortable. (Don't forget to turn off the fan when you leave the room; fans cool you, not the room.) While the perfect indoor temperature may be a matter of family debate, you can experiment with your comfort level by setting the thermostat at, say, 78° F and going up or down from there.

Airflow and blade shape matter. Look at cubic feet per minute (CFM) numbers on the box or on the manufacturer or retailer website to get an idea of how well the ceiling fan moves air. A higher number means more air movement, but don't fret over small differences. Previous testing at CR showed comparable airspeed from fans rated from 5,000 to 5,600 CFM.

Fans with the most airflow also make the most noise—wind noise and fluttering, not necessarily motor noise. Be wary of fans with large blades that have ridges, bumps, or other surface texture. Those often make more noise on the high setting than fans with smooth blades.

Wobble can be fixed. Most fans come with balancing kits, a combination of weights that you attach to the blades to make up for slight differences in blade weight, and removable clips that help you determine where to place the weights. You can eliminate most of the wobbling with such a kit.

Look for the Energy Star. Fan and light kits that earn the Energy Star label are 60 percent more efficient than those that don't. Many fans now come with LED light arrays for better efficiency, but using LED bulbs instead of incandescents in traditional sockets can also save energy—and money.

Size the fan to your room. Though 52-inch fans are the most popular, that size—give or take a couple of inches—works best in rooms that are 225 to 400 square feet. Choose a 42- to 44-inch model for 144 to 225 square feet. Opt for a larger fan if your room size is on the borderline and run it at a slower speed, which will be quieter.

Suit your style. Traditional-style ceiling fans can bring back memories of "Casablanca," while modern designs send out Jetsons-like futuristic vibes. Motor-cover finishes include brass, bronze, and pewter. Many basic fan blades have a flat paddle shape, but variations include oval and leaf shapes, faux wicker textures, and twisted, propellerlike designs.

Consider the installation requirements. Install a ceiling fan in the center of a room at least 7 feet above the floor, 8 to 9 feet (if your ceilings are high enough) for optimal airflow. Generally, blade tips should be no closer than 24 inches to a wall or drapes, but check the manufacturer's directions for specifics. If you’re replacing a light with a fan, be certain that the electrical box in the ceiling can support the weight of the fan. Not sure? Check the installation instructions or call an electrician. Even with the correct box, it is possible that the wiring won't allow a wall switch to operate both the fan and the light; many models now come with a remote that overcomes that limitation.

Check the wet/damp rating. If you’re placing a ceiling fan in a bathroom, look for a UL damp rating. If it will be placed outdoors on a porch, look for one with a UL wet rating. Fans with these ratings have features such as sealed moisture-resistant motors, rust-resistant housing, stainless steel hardware, and all-weather blades, according to Energy Star.

Ceiling-fan light kits come three different ways: integrated into the fan, included with the fan at the time of purchase, or sold separately. Many of the light kits that are sold separately are universal, meaning they can be used on a number of fan models. Similarly, most ceiling fans are light-kit adaptable. But there are many cases where you must match your fan with a light kit from the same brand.

If your fan doesn't include lighting, consider an Energy Star certified light kit. This lighting is efficient and long-lasting, so you won't have to make frequent bulb changes. There are generally three types of light kits. Branched and stemmed light kits have cans or globes that can point up or down. Uplight kits sit on top of the housing and point toward the ceiling. Bowl lighting is attached below the fan and casts light downward.

Use the right lightbulbs. If your ceiling fan includes a dimmer or is wired to one, make sure the bulbs you use in it are dimmable LED bulbs. And make sure the lightbulbs’ wattage does not exceed the wattage listed on the label of the socket.

The style you choose should add to your room's décor, like a piece of furniture. You might want to install more than one fan in a very large space, such as a great room, or if your home has an open floor plan.

Hang it high. A fan placed 8 to 9 feet above the floor is best for optimal airflow. If your ceiling is higher, use a downrod (a type of extension pipe) to position the fan at the proper height.

Connect with color. Coordinating a fan's finish with other furnishings helps create unity and balance in a room. You can match the color of a wooden fan blade to the floor. Metal fan finishes can coordinate with doorknobs, cabinet hardware, and kitchen faucets and bathroom fixtures.

Blend it in. If you want to make a fan less obvious, choose a very simple style in a color that blends in with the ceiling. A flush-mounted fan will be less obtrusive than one on a downrod.

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