What Size Ceiling Fan Should You Buy

Selecting the right ceiling fan can make a difference in many areas of your home (and if in more than one room near one another, it can mean better overall air-flow circulation and a lower electric bill). To achieve this, the ceiling fan has to be the right size in the right room space. So, what does that mean exactly?

If your ceiling fan is too big for your room, it certainly does not mean more airflow circulation (especially if it is heavy). It can actually mean the opposite. If too heavy, it can wobble, make noise, and potentially fall from the ceiling. Similarly, if the ceiling fan is small and placed in a large room, the airflow circulation will be much lower, resulting in the room taking a long time to cool (if it does at all).

Knowing that information, I am sure you might be wondering what size ceiling fan you should use for every room in your house. Ceiling fans are more about efficiency, so you’ll have to consider the following factors before buying a ceiling fan for each room:

  • Area of the space
  • Height of ceiling
  • Place of Installation (ensuring the location can support the weight)

Area of the Space

Fans for Small Rooms: If you’re looking for a ceiling fan for a small bedroom in your house, you should look for a 40” to 48” ceiling fan. If your room is smaller than 9’ x 9’, then you should opt for a 20” to 36” ceiling fan, mostly used in closets, stairwells, and small bathrooms.

Fans for Standard Rooms: The standard rooms include large kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. Such rooms should be accommodated with a 50″ to 58″ ceiling fan.

Fans for Large Rooms: Large or extra-large rooms, such as master bedrooms and outdoor dens, are spacious and need more air to be pushed. That is why fans from 60” to 72” should be used. Multiple fans can also be used if the room is extensively large or has a sitting area.

Height of the Ceiling

The height of the ceiling fan is also an important component to consider before buying a ceiling fan. The length of the down rod of the ceiling fan can be varied, depending upon your ceiling’s height. There should be a minimum of 7 feet from the ground to your ceiling fan for safety purposes. For ideal airflow release, it is required that the fan must be a minimum of 7.5 feet from the ground. In the case of a high ceiling room, blades can be 8.5 feet.

For small ceilings, use a small down rod. But to maintain proper airflow, the minimum length between the ceiling and the fan blades should be 9-10 inches.

Place of Installation

The place where you’re going to install the ceiling fan is of utmost importance. When thinking about what size ceiling fan to use for your house, you should not forget other external factors.

Let us assume that you need to install ceiling fans into two similar rooms. Both of the rooms cover the same area and are of equal dimensions. The difference that arises between the two is that one of them is a partially open room, and one is not. In such a case, the ceiling fan required in the open room should be one size larger because it requires a greater amount of air to sufficiently circulate. The same goes for vaulted and high ceiling rooms.

Knowing the room’s size is an essential factor when selecting what size ceiling fan you should buy and install in your home. Since every room is different, focusing on the things mentioned above will dictate the amount of circulation given by the ceiling fan. Remember, ceiling fans are meant to be energy efficient and not just a decoration hanging from the ceiling (no matter how nice it looks).

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