Installing a Ceiling Fan – 10 Things You Need to Know

A ceiling fan will help keep your home cool in the summer, warm in the winter and it’ll also help you save money on energy bills. If you’re considering fitting a ceiling fan in your home, here are some of the things you need to know.

 

1. Choosing the Right Ceiling Fan

Of course you want a ceiling fan that looks great, but style and colour are just 2 of the things you should consider. It’s crucial that you also think about its size and also the size and shape of the room it is intended for. Here's our handy guide for you switched-on shoppers:  

Room Size Ceiling          Fan Size

12 square meters           75 - 90 cm

15 square meters           105 cm

20 square meters           122 cm

25 – 30 square meters  132 cm

30 square meters           Consider using 2 ceiling fans 

 

2. How Long Does the Ceiling Fans Down Rod Need to Be?

This relates to how high off the floor the fan should be and for optimum performance, it’s recommended that the fan should be between 2.5 m and 3 m above the floor. 

 

3. How do Ceiling Fans Work?  

In summer, a ceiling fan cools a room using the “wind chill factor” -  it moves cool air around the space, bringing down the temperature by around 8 degrees. In winter, however, you set the fan to spin in reverse and this helps warm the space. 

4. How Ceiling Fans Can Save on Energy Bills

 

As a ceiling fan doesn’t produce cool or warm air, it simply moves existing cool or warm air around, it can save on energy bills the whole year-round.

 

5. Four-Blade or Five-Blade Ceiling Fan?

 

There is little difference in performance between 4 and 5-blade fans and so our advice is simply to choose the one that you think looks best.

 

6. Are Ceiling Fans Easy to Install?

 

Ceiling fans should only be fitted by a qualified electrician or an experienced DIY fanatic. Health and safety is always the first concern when dealing with mains electricity.

 

7. Can I Install a Ceiling Fan Where a Light Fixture is?

 

Yes you can, however, you’ll need to install a new fitting that will take the weight of the ceiling fan – the existing electrical box won’t be strong enough.

 

8. Are Ceiling Fans Noisy?

 

When switched on a ceiling fans motor hums softly, this is normal. If your ceiling fan is making a louder noise, switch it off and consult an electrician or contact the manufacturer.

 

9. What to do if the Fan is Running too Slowly? 

 

The most common reason for a ceiling fan running too slowly is because of a faulty capacitor. If your fan is running slowly ask a qualified electrician to take a look and change the capacitor.

 

10. My Fan is Wobbly – What do I do?

 

Usually this happens because some of the components are loose. You need to check that the blades and all bolts and screws are secured tightly – if, having done that, the problem persists, stop using the fan and consult an electrician or the manufacturer. 

Save money on your heating bils this winter by reversing the direction of your ceiling fan. There are great savings to be had at this time of year on our smart range of stylish ceiling fans. Head over to shop Value Lights ceiling fans for smart savings and stylish design.