Stay Cool in Style: How to Choose a Ceiling Fan
They're an efficient, low-cost way to stay cool, but installing and choosing the right ceiling fans requires research
Liz Durnan
11 December 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety of magazines and websites in London, New York and Sydney. Now I live in the Blue Mountains bush in a strawbale house that we built from scratch. I write about my passions – mainly books and sustainable housing – while writing a book and attempting a permaculture garden.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety... More
Ceiling fans used to get a bad rap on the style front, but with the heat cranking up, as well as energy prices, they’re anything but uncool. They conjure images of lazy, hazy summer days in the tropics, lying around with a Singapore Sling in hand. And now they come in all manner of shape, size and colour to suit a myriad of home styles. So, whether you’re lounging on the sofa reading a novel, having a long, slow lunch or simply cooling down in the bedroom, make sure you’re under a ceiling fan to keep the heat – and the bugs – at bay. But before you run out to buy one, ask yourself a few questions first.
1. What style?
“There has been a trend away from considering ceiling fans as just functional appliances,” says Doug Morris of Queensland fan company My Fan, “to looking at the aesthetic appeal and how they can complement decor and interior and exterior design.”
“If you want a fan that works with, say, a Balinese look or a Hamptons look, now they can blend with, rather than detract from, that look.”
Islander ceiling fan: My Fan
“There has been a trend away from considering ceiling fans as just functional appliances,” says Doug Morris of Queensland fan company My Fan, “to looking at the aesthetic appeal and how they can complement decor and interior and exterior design.”
“If you want a fan that works with, say, a Balinese look or a Hamptons look, now they can blend with, rather than detract from, that look.”
Islander ceiling fan: My Fan
2. What colour?
According to Morris, there were two choices of ceiling fan when his business started six years ago: silver or white.
Now ceiling fans come in lots of colours, from crisp whites and creams to varying timber hues, brushed chromes, black, charcoal, and …
According to Morris, there were two choices of ceiling fan when his business started six years ago: silver or white.
Now ceiling fans come in lots of colours, from crisp whites and creams to varying timber hues, brushed chromes, black, charcoal, and …
… even really bright colours like this one especially designed for a children’s room.
Harlequin 36” Kids Ceiling Fan: My Fan
Harlequin 36” Kids Ceiling Fan: My Fan
3. Are they energy efficient?
“A typical air conditioner might use 2000 or 3000 watts as opposed to a ceiling fan that uses only about 20 to 30 watts,” says Morris. “So with energy prices going up, you’re talking about an appliance that costs a few cents as opposed to a few dollars a day. It adds up.”
However, he points out that it’s not always a case of using one or the other. For warm climates, you can save money by using them in conjunction with each other – using fans with the air conditioner means you can set the air conditioner to a higher temperature. “Instead of having the air-con on 21 degrees, turn it to 26 and use the fans to keep cooler,” says Morris.
Minka Aire Artemis ceiling fan: Beacon Lighting
“A typical air conditioner might use 2000 or 3000 watts as opposed to a ceiling fan that uses only about 20 to 30 watts,” says Morris. “So with energy prices going up, you’re talking about an appliance that costs a few cents as opposed to a few dollars a day. It adds up.”
However, he points out that it’s not always a case of using one or the other. For warm climates, you can save money by using them in conjunction with each other – using fans with the air conditioner means you can set the air conditioner to a higher temperature. “Instead of having the air-con on 21 degrees, turn it to 26 and use the fans to keep cooler,” says Morris.
Minka Aire Artemis ceiling fan: Beacon Lighting
4. What about in winter?
Because hot air rises, in winter warm air collects towards the ceiling and many fans come with a reverse setting that moves this air downward. This is especially useful for high ceilings where lots of hot air will be trapped, and for those using heaters in cooler climates. According to Beacon Lighting, using fans on the reverse setting can save up to 10 per cent on heating bills.
Morris says that some research has shown you don’t even need to use the reverse setting – that the same effect can be achieved by using the fan on the lowest setting, which also saves having to get up to the motor to change the fan setting.
Because hot air rises, in winter warm air collects towards the ceiling and many fans come with a reverse setting that moves this air downward. This is especially useful for high ceilings where lots of hot air will be trapped, and for those using heaters in cooler climates. According to Beacon Lighting, using fans on the reverse setting can save up to 10 per cent on heating bills.
Morris says that some research has shown you don’t even need to use the reverse setting – that the same effect can be achieved by using the fan on the lowest setting, which also saves having to get up to the motor to change the fan setting.
5. What size?
Most ceiling fan companies seem to agree the amount of blades isn’t what counts; it’s the overall size and speed that needs to be considered, plus the size of the space and the climate.
“A ceiling fan such as our 80” Islander fan with curved blades can cover a large living space with gentle air flow, so it’s popular in climates with lower humidity such as outback Victoria,” says Morris.
“A high-velocity ceiling fan, such as the Emerson 60” Loft fan, provides serious cooling performance for high humidity and high temperature climates such as North Queensland.”
Isis ceiling fan: Big Ass Fans
Most ceiling fan companies seem to agree the amount of blades isn’t what counts; it’s the overall size and speed that needs to be considered, plus the size of the space and the climate.
“A ceiling fan such as our 80” Islander fan with curved blades can cover a large living space with gentle air flow, so it’s popular in climates with lower humidity such as outback Victoria,” says Morris.
“A high-velocity ceiling fan, such as the Emerson 60” Loft fan, provides serious cooling performance for high humidity and high temperature climates such as North Queensland.”
Isis ceiling fan: Big Ass Fans
6. How many do I need?
When thinking about the layout of ceiling fans, Morris recommends ensuring that fans are located so they’re providing air flow to the areas where the occupants will actually be – so on the couch, at the dining table, laying in bed, etc.
It’s important to talk to a lighting or fan specialist as the spread of air flow is individual to each fan.
“In terms of performance, in North Queensland you might go for a higher velocity fan,” he says. “But if you’re in Victoria, it might be more applicable to go for one large fan.”
When thinking about the layout of ceiling fans, Morris recommends ensuring that fans are located so they’re providing air flow to the areas where the occupants will actually be – so on the couch, at the dining table, laying in bed, etc.
It’s important to talk to a lighting or fan specialist as the spread of air flow is individual to each fan.
“In terms of performance, in North Queensland you might go for a higher velocity fan,” he says. “But if you’re in Victoria, it might be more applicable to go for one large fan.”
7. How low can I go?
Australian building codes state that ceiling fans need to be 2.1m from the floor. According to Morris, ideally they should be 2.7m from the floor.
Ceiling fans come with an extension kit so they can be adapted as needed, and for really high ceilings, down rods can be used. If you’re unsure, consult a fan or lighting expert, or your builder.
For low ceilings, fans should be located closer to the ceiling, but note that a 30cm gap between the fan blades and the ceiling is recommended to allow them to work effectively.
Australian building codes state that ceiling fans need to be 2.1m from the floor. According to Morris, ideally they should be 2.7m from the floor.
Ceiling fans come with an extension kit so they can be adapted as needed, and for really high ceilings, down rods can be used. If you’re unsure, consult a fan or lighting expert, or your builder.
For low ceilings, fans should be located closer to the ceiling, but note that a 30cm gap between the fan blades and the ceiling is recommended to allow them to work effectively.
8. What are they made of?
Ceiling fans can be made of plastic, steel, timber or even plywood. Beacon lighting recommend using timber fans in the bedroom as these are quieter.
And don’t worry if you want to opt for a timber fan but not a timber shade – many of the white or brushed chrome fans are in fact painted timber or plywood.
Ceiling fans can be made of plastic, steel, timber or even plywood. Beacon lighting recommend using timber fans in the bedroom as these are quieter.
And don’t worry if you want to opt for a timber fan but not a timber shade – many of the white or brushed chrome fans are in fact painted timber or plywood.
9. What about lights?
Many fans are dual purpose and are also fitted with lights. This can be useful if you want the simplicity of a light and fan in one, without having other fixtures on the ceilings. Previously, this style wasn’t thought of as attractive by many people, but with so many new models now available, this is no longer the case, as this photograph shows.
Minka Aire Artemis ceiling fan: Beacon Lighting
Many fans are dual purpose and are also fitted with lights. This can be useful if you want the simplicity of a light and fan in one, without having other fixtures on the ceilings. Previously, this style wasn’t thought of as attractive by many people, but with so many new models now available, this is no longer the case, as this photograph shows.
Minka Aire Artemis ceiling fan: Beacon Lighting
Many lighting experts and designers will say pendants and fans can’t be used together, but I think it’s a matter of personal choice. They can look good together, provided they are spaced well enough. Think carefully about the positions of both. If the fan is too close and it’s a lightweight pendant, the fan could cause the pendant to move around, which you’ll want to avoid.
The other issue is ensuring that the fans are positioned above or adjacent to the pendants, so there isn’t a ‘strobing’ effect. This is also the case with downlights – they should be placed so that the tips of the blades are not in the beam of the lights, otherwise there could be a flickering effect. There is a very useful guide to hanging ceiling fans in relation to lights on the Spinifex Fans website.
10. Can I put them outside?
We’re increasingly seeing ceiling fans used in outdoor settings too, especially in hotter climates. According to Morris, the main use for them outside is not so much for cooling as keeping away insects. If they are positioned right above an outdoor dining setting, for example, they can keep away flies and mosquitos and hence really improve the comfort of outdoor entertaining.
We’re increasingly seeing ceiling fans used in outdoor settings too, especially in hotter climates. According to Morris, the main use for them outside is not so much for cooling as keeping away insects. If they are positioned right above an outdoor dining setting, for example, they can keep away flies and mosquitos and hence really improve the comfort of outdoor entertaining.
Morris cautions against installing the wrong type of fans outside though, as some blades will not be appropriate for that application. Timber and plywood blades, for example, could swell up after being exposed to moisture, and some metal blades may not work well in coastal areas. Plastic blades might be a better choice for outdoor areas. Always check with the supplier when installing ceiling fans outside.
11. Are they safe?
Parents of young children might have safety concerns around ceiling fans. By law, they do need to be installed by a licensed electrician. And to avoid any contact with the blades, in children’s bedrooms it’s a good idea not to have them too low, especially where the kids could climb on to the bed or other furniture and reach them. However, if the blades are timber, these will be less likely to cause injury than thin steel blades, which should always be installed out of a child’s reach. Once again, seek advice from the experts before installing, and stay cool.
TELL US
Have you had any experience with choosing and installing ceiling fans? Let us know in the Comments.
MORE
Eco-Clever Ways to Embrace the Aussie Climate
11 Tricks to Save Energy … And Money
Family and Eco- Friendly Design in the Adelaide Hills
Give Me Shelter: 10 Ways to Take Cover Outdoors
Parents of young children might have safety concerns around ceiling fans. By law, they do need to be installed by a licensed electrician. And to avoid any contact with the blades, in children’s bedrooms it’s a good idea not to have them too low, especially where the kids could climb on to the bed or other furniture and reach them. However, if the blades are timber, these will be less likely to cause injury than thin steel blades, which should always be installed out of a child’s reach. Once again, seek advice from the experts before installing, and stay cool.
TELL US
Have you had any experience with choosing and installing ceiling fans? Let us know in the Comments.
MORE
Eco-Clever Ways to Embrace the Aussie Climate
11 Tricks to Save Energy … And Money
Family and Eco- Friendly Design in the Adelaide Hills
Give Me Shelter: 10 Ways to Take Cover Outdoors
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We are building a new home made of limestone in western victoria and we have made plans to have ceiling fans in all the bedrooms as well as the kitchen and lounge.
We are living in a very small relocatable home at present and have a ceiling fan in the bedroom and it's on on almost every night to just take away that "close" or "tacky" feeling in a very small room.
It feels like you are breathing more fresh air, even though it is really only circulating the air in the room.
We can't alway have the window open on a warm night if it's raining for example, so the fan is very refreshing.
We know our limestone home will be quite cool in summer with it's natural insulation properties and we are having a very high roof insulation factor of 7, blinds and curtains on all the windows but more importantly, 360* veranda's, so we should be very well equiped for the hottest days sometimes up to 40* but more often at least 35* still hot especially if we get consecutive days of high temperatures.
We hope that we will not have to rely on the air conditioner as much as we do now in such a tiny home and so ultimately the power bill should be as you've mentioned allot less.
This forum has been most helpful especially the comment about making sure that downlights aren't too close to the fan to avoid the flickering effect, this type of light flickering induces a migrain for me, strange I know but it's great to know how to avoild that pitfall.
Also good to know the height from the ceiling and the type of fan that best suits humid heat versus dry heat.
Thanks for the great information.
Cheers,
Barbara
This is a great article with lots of information regarding ceiling fans. Well done Liz!