Today ceiling fans are an important part of creating the perfect home decor. In
the last 10 years ceiling fans have become more technologically advanced,
providing cooling in the summer months and warming in the winter months to save
you on your energy bill drastically.
Fans can reduce prices on your energy bill up to 40% in the summer and 10% in
the winter, using only as much as energy as a 100 watt light bulb. During the
summer fans create a "cooling effect" lowering temperatures as much as 7 degrees
and recirculating the heat in the winter to the living area. Fans are being used
now not only in the main rooms in your home but also in patios, verandas,
kitchens and bathrooms where dampness may be an issue.
Ceiling fans may differ in prices, consumers should study the differences
before making a purchase. Inexpensive fans will look good when they are new, in
time they will start to warp, become off-balance, and wear out quickly. Pay
attention to the details to pick a good high quality fan for your home. Ceiling
fans can provide years of comfort and beauty if you pay attention to the
quality, motor, durability, performance, design and warranty.
Find a fan to coordinate your individual home style by choosing the color,
finish, blade design, size, accessories, lighting and style. There are many
styles to choose from, some of these include: polished brass, antique brass,
iron, copper, nickel, pewter, chrome, black, vibrant colors, oak, rosewood and
other real wood veneers.
Consider these details before selecting a new fan for your home:
Fan Size: For maximum efficiency choose a fan to fit your room
size. In a room up to 75 square feet like a bathroom choose a 29"- 36" fan.
Medium sized rooms up to 144 square feet can fit ceiling fans from 36"- 42". The
larger bedrooms and family rooms around 225 square feet work most efficient with
fans that are 50"- 54".
Height from the ceiling: Place the fan higher than 7 feet above the
floor in the middle of the room for maximum comfort, circulation, safety and
aesthetics. Optimal placement would be either 8 or 9 feet from the floor.
Blades: Fan blades determine the amount of air being circulated
throughout the room. The fan blade brackets should be positioned to hold the
blade at a 12-15 degree angle for optimal circulation and be weighed and matched
as a balanced set to avoid having your fan wobble. A fan with less than a 12
degree angle will not circulate air as well and be less efficient. The greater
the angle of the blade the more air circulation you will have in your room.
Blades should be made with wood or acrylic and be sealed and treated to resist
humidity. Ask your ALA showroom representative for any additional questions on
fan blades or angles.
Motor: The heart of every ceiling fan is the motor. The motor is
responsible for producing quiet operation while driving the blades for air
movement. Look for high-quality motors with heavy-duty windings and sealed
bearings that are permanently lubricated. Smaller, less powerful motors found on
lower quality fans may produce higher operating temperatures, lower air
circulation and noisier operation. Motors are designed to work flawlessly for
long periods of time and should have a long lasting life.
Lights: To add the finishing touches, choose from classic to
contemporary lights to complement the look of your fan. Opal, marble, crystal,
glass and hand blown glass can also be added to a fitter or fixture shade to
enhance the design. Light kits can also be added or custom designed to match
your home d cor. For a more relaxed environment uplighting is available, the
light bounces off the ceiling to create more of a mood effect than the
traditional downlighting.
Finish: Finish makes the fan blades more durable. A high quality
finish will resist against blistering, tarnishing, fading and corrosion. Less
advanced finishes on the fan blades can be very fragile and start to peel,
bubble and corrode quickly. Brass finishes are long lasting, scratch resistant
and never need polishing. Painted finishes are thick, rich and durable as a
result of the advanced painting process.
Warranty: When you choose to purchase look for a good warranty for
the life of your fan. Some fan manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty and
in-home service.
Installation: Installation can be so easy that with a few basic
skills one person can install the product themselves. With step by step
instructions your new fan can be up and working efficiently. Some fans come with
a support system to assist you by freeing your hands to make wiring connections.
For extra help ask your ALA showroom representative how to get assistance with
hanging your new fan in your home.
Eric Lebersfeld is an expert at assisting Homeowners, Builders, and
Interior designers in selecting the perfect lighting for their homes and
projects. We have over 3000 lights on display in our showrooms and over
500,000 on our website 1800lighting.com. Capitol Lighting provides the
most rewarding shopping experience possible allowing our customers to
shop on-line or in-store. We have the same guaranteed low internet
pricing everyday. We are proud of our 85 year reputation as trustworthy
and ethical business partners with both customers and suppliers.
