Buying a ceiling fan can be confusing, with the dozens of brands, dozens of designs and wide range of prices. You can pay as little as $45 and as much as $1,000. Some are sold in hardware stores and home centers, and you`re expected to install those yourself. Some are available only through dealers, where installation by a professional is urged.
But before you rush out to buy a fan based on looks and price, it`s best to know a little about your own house.
First, it`s a good idea to measure the rooms. Square-footage of floor space and the height and style of ceiling should have a significant influence on the size of fan (measured by length of the blades, or paddles) and its installation.
If you have a room that`s quite large (more than 400 square feet) and square, you may want a large fan of about 52 to 56 inches. If a room is large but long rather than square, two medium-size fans (each about 52 inches) would be most efficient. A single medium-size fan should do well in a square room that`s about 200 square feet. In a small, square room (about 140 square feet), use a single 36- to 42-inch fan. Some experts recommend going to a 48-inch fan, however.
The height of the ceiling also has a bearing on what type of fan you should buy. A high ceiling-more than 10 feet-may require a slightly larger fan because of the larger volume of air. Also, a high ceiling probably requires a longer-than-standard pole from which the fan hangs so the blades circulate closer to the floor.
Now that you have an idea of what type of fan your house requires, let`s concentrate on the qualities of a fan. Two of the factors that affect vibration-the problem people cite most often with ceiling fans-are the quality of the motor and the blades.
Most people can`t determine the quality of a motor by looking at it, but generally you can trust one that has a lifetime warranty. If it gives details about the motor, look for such characteristics as self-lubricating bearings and heavy-duty castings.
Blades also are important. If they`re not measured and cut carefully and weighed so they balance with each other perfectly, the fan will tip and vibrate. It`s best if blades measure 6 inches or more across at the tip.
Also, pick a fan that has a multiple speed and is reversible. A reversible fan can push cold air down from the ceiling toward the floor in summer and scoop up cold air from the floor and push it toward the ceiling in winter.
It is possible to install your own fan, with directions supplied by the maker and very few tools. You also should check with a city or county building inspector to find out if there are any codes covering installation.
If you have a ceiling outlet for a light where you plan to install the fan and the outlet box is mounted securely to a joist or other ceiling member, attaching the fan to that outlet may work best. This is especially true if the outlet box is metal rather than plastic. A plastic box may not be strong enough to hold the fan. Be sure, though, to turn off the electricity to the outlet before working near it.
Instructions that come with the fan should give its weight and say whether such an attachment to a ceiling outlet box is possible. In some cases, building codes may prevent you from mounting a fan on a plastic outlet box. Hanger kits can be bought if there is no ceiling outlet.
If the fan you purchase has an on-off switch on it rather than a wall-mount, you may be all set at this point. Many fans with wall-mount switches require a bit more work. You`ll have to run a line from the fan to the switch. Sometimes this involves cutting through the ceiling and the wall to insert the line. In some cases, codes and circumstances allow an outside line to be run. The next installation step is to attach the fan-motor assembly to the outlet box or hanger device. Usually all that`s required is mounting the motor assembly to the outlet box by bolts, then attaching the wires. Once attached, the wires should be tucked inside the mounting assembly and its cover put in place.
After the motor assembly is attached, set the blades in place. Follow manufacturer directions carefully because the blades can easily get out of balance if you don`t.
Turn the electricity back on and flip the fan`s switch.
If you get too much of a hum when the fan is running, the blades may be out of balance or warped, the ball bearings may not be lubricated properly, or there may be other problems.
Check the directions to see if you`ve made any errors or for advice in following up on problems. –
