There are many factors that often go unseen but should be carefully looked at before buying a ceiling fan. We have categorized those factors below to make it easy for you to understand the metrics better.
The blade sweep and the size of the room are most essential features that you should tally before purchasing a ceiling fan. No matter how good the fan is, if its blade sweep range is not matching the size of your room, it is more or less worthless. The fan sweep or the blade sweep refers to the diameter of the area covered by a fan while it is switched on. You can also call it as the cooling zone of the fan. The blade sweep of the ceiling fans ranges between 900mm to 1400mm. An ideal ceiling fan should offer a minimum of 1200mm sweep for 100 sq ft room. If the size of your room is lesser that 75 sq. feet, the blade sweep should be around 900mm should be enough but if the size of the room is between 75 sq. feet to 100 sq. feet, the minimum blade sweep range should be 1050mm. For a room of 100-130 sq. feet, the blade sweep range should be 1200 mm and if the room size is more than 130 sq. feet, the blade sweep range should be 1400 or more than that. The airflow of the fan decides the volume of air that it can circulate within a minute. This metric helps in letting you know the quality of the fan. Thus, a fan must offer the best airflow. This is measured in CMM i.e. cubic meter per minute. According to our research, the fan that offers airflow more than 140m³/min provides the best performance. But, for a good performance, you can also shortlist the fans that offer airflow range between 110 – 140 m³/min. There are some models that offer airflow capacity of 170 m³/min. The fan speed means the speed at which the blades of the fan spin while it is in motion. The faster the blades spin the more amount of air it can move. But, to make this possible, the fan’s blades must have the right pitch. Ideally, a ceiling fan offers 6-speed settings ranging from low to very high. This helps the fan in achieving the best airflow. The drop rod is the tiny rod that that is used to hang the fan with the ceiling of the wall. The length of this drop matters because it has a direct relation with the circulation property. If the fan is too close to the ceiling or if it is too far away from the ceiling, the fan will end up circulating less amount of air. This is why the length of the rod needs to be perfect. In an ideal scenario, the ceiling fan should be installed at least 7 feet higher than the ground level and the blades of the fan must around 2 feet below the ceiling of the room. The end of the blade should be at least 1 foot away from the sidewall. The length of the drop rod depends on the size of the room. If the ceiling height of the room is around 9 feet, the length of the rod should be 6 inches. But, if the ceiling length of the room is 10 feet, you will need a rod of 12 inches. With every increasing foot, the length of the rod adds up by 6 inches. If the ceiling height of the room is 15 feet or more, you can select a down rod with a maximum length of 60 inches. This table will help you understand these specifications better: The blade tilt refers to the angle of the blade with respect to the fan. If you are wondering how this makes a difference then this angle helps in determining the volume of air that a fan can circulate throughout the room. 12-15 degrees is considered as an optimal blade pitch for a ceiling fan. This angle allows the fan to move just the correct amount of air, not too little and not too much. You can check the tilt range of the fan in the specifications. If you see that the fan you selected offers a blade pitch that is less than 10 degrees, it is time to change your option. You might also notice that some fans offer a blade pitch that is more than 20 degrees. Such fans are also not recommended. Even though these fans circulate the air efficiently, some problems that you might notice are a lot of resistance and friction. This affects the performance of the fan and is not suggested in the long run. The biggest problems with the fan that offer a very high blade pitch (more than 20 degrees) is you end up replacing the blades of the fan frequently. A ceiling fan must deliver a great performance and at the same time, should be energy efficient. These energy-efficient fans help you in saving a lot in the electricity bill. The reason this is important is a fan is something that is turned on in almost all the seasons and this can have a huge impact on your daily power consumption. Since 2006, BEE (the Bureau of Energy Efficiency) started rating the ceiling fans on the basis of their efficiency. It gives star ratings and more number of stars represents how low the energy consumption of the fan is. Thus, you must always select high-rated fans for your house. BEE does not offer ratings to all the ceiling fans. It considers only those fans that offer a blade sweep of 1200mm or more. The ceiling fans that consume 45 watts of power are considered as the most efficient ones whereas the fans that consume 80 watts or more than that are not considered great. Some modern fans have lights installed in them. Most of the time, these lights end up consuming more power than the fan itself. For such cases, the total energy consumption of the fan goes up to 190 watts per hour. To get this figure down, you can use CFL lights as they help in reducing energy consumption. Along with the number of blades, one more thing that is important is the length of the blade. The longer the fan blades are the better the airflow it will generate. However, if the length of the blade of the fan is too long, another thing that it experiences is the drag. It is caused due to the opposing force to the motion. Thus, the length of the blade should be proportionate. The ceiling fans can be mounted in 2 ways – one with a down rod and one without the down rod. The standard ceiling fans come with a down-rod that needs to be hanged on to the bracket. It is considered as a good option if the ceiling height of the room is above 8 feet. For the rooms where the ceiling height is 7 feet or less than that, you can mount the fans directly to the bracket without using the down rods. The number of blades in fan also has a huge impact on efficiency. In India, you will mostly find either fan with 3 blades or 4 blades. The modern fans also consist of 5 blades but they are not as common as the fans with 3 or 4 blades. The more the number of blades is, the lesser the air circulation it offers. But, at the same time, a higher number of blades also help in lowering the noise levels generated by a fan. To improve the air circulation levels, the blades these days have a low drag shape. The motor of the fan acts as a powerhouse. Its performance offers reliability and durability to the fan. Not only this, the motor also helps in maximizing the airflow of the fan. In India, there are 2 types of motors that are used in the fans, namely – BLDC motor and Single-Phase Induction motor. The BLDC motor, also called as Brushless DC motor rotates at a continuous speed. It consumes very little energy and is not noisy at all. The Single-Phase Induction motor uses wires and winding poles to supply a single voltage to the fan’s motors. It is a popular choice among Indian customers. To operate a fan, these motors require a permanent capacitor. But, the energy efficiency offered by the BLDC motors is any time better than the one offered by the single-phase induction motors. There are few fans that come with a reversible motor. These fans let you enable the direction of the fan’s blade in which the blade is rotating. Nobody likes noisy fans as it causes disturbance in the room. Before buying a ceiling fan, make sure that you check the noise levels that it generates. Typically a fan’s noise level is calculated in decibels. Most of the ceiling fans allow adjustable speed controls and these speed limits range from 2-5. Though there are a few fans that operate at a single speed level too. These single-speed fans are not preferred by most of the users, except those who wish to use it for a specific kind of usage. Some fans come with different types of speed control options such as a pulling chain, wall control, or remote control. You can choose a speed control option that best suits your requirements. There are a few fans that offer reversible features wherein they change the direction of the rotation according to the season. These fans help in regulating the room temperature in both colder and warmer seasons. For example, during the summer season, the ceiling fans rotate in a counter-clockwise direction to push the colder air down to the floor. By doing so, the cool air evaporates sweat and creates a gentle breeze. This breeze makes you feel colder without affecting the room temperature. However, during the colder season, you can change the settings and make the fan’s blade rotate in clockwise direction at a low speed. This will pull up the colder air from the ground. This helps in pushing the warm air from the ceiling in the downward direction along the walls. This is how it makes the room feel warmer. Unlike the olden days, modern fans have much more to offer. They let you enjoy multiple innovative features. A very common, yet advanced feature is the Light Kit. Installing a fan with this feature eliminates the hassle of fixing an extra light in the room. Some other extra features include a Pull Chain operation and a Remote Control operation. These features help in controlling the speed settings in the most convenient ways. Anti-rust and anti-dust are some extra features that can turn out to be helpful too. The best way to finalize a product is to first set the budget and then start categorizing the products on the basis of this range. Generally, the price of a fan ranges between Rs. 1500 – 1800. You can get all the basic features within this range. However, if you are ready to spend some more money, you can get a fan with even more advanced features including remote control or better speed control settings. Checking the warranty period of the fan from the seller is a very crucial step. It ensures that you are buying a trustable product. Ceiling fans usually come with a manufacturer’s warranty of 1 – 3 years. Along with this, you should also clarify what all services are covered under this warranty. The ceiling fans come in a wide range of variety with multiple features. It is classified into the following types: The standard ceiling fans are the most common types of fans and you will find them in almost everyone’s houses. They come in multiple designs, sizes, and with different mechanisms. The standard ceiling fans have 3-5 blades and they mostly don’t come with a light. These fans require a ceiling height of minimum of 9 feet so that they can be installed using the down rod. The Low Profile Ceiling Fans are also called as the Flush Mounting Ceiling Fans or the Hugger Fans. These fans are preferable for those spaces whose ceiling height is less than 8 feet. Thus, they do not even need a down rod for installation. You can directly hang them on the mounting bracket. Whenever a fan is installed without a down rod, the distance between the ceiling and the blades of the fan reduces automatically. Because of this, the movement of air becomes less when compared to those fans that are installed using the down rod. Apart from this, it works in the exact same way as any other type of fan. As the name suggests, the dual motor ceiling fans come with dual motors. They have a motor at the center that is attached to a horizontal down rod. This lets you adjust the fan speed setting or other modes of operation. People love these fans as they look elegant and smart. You can adjust the head and speed according to your convenience. This makes it easier to move the air in a particular direction or cover the entire area. The damp and wet ceiling fans are the fans that are usually used in the outdoor areas to beat the humidity in the surrounding area. When you use a standard fan in such areas, they are more prone to damage as the moisture and the humidity take a toll on the motor, thereby ends up damaging it. Thus, the damp and wet ceiling fans come with a motor that is resistant to both wet and damp atmosphere. These fans also come in a wide range of designs and operations. The benefits of having a ceiling fan at home are as follows: The ceiling fans help in maintaining a moderate temperature inside the room by circulating the correct amount of air constantly. They let you enjoy a gentle breeze across the room. In case of power failure, you can use ceiling fans as a backup option as they work on a generator or inverters too. The power consumption of the ceiling fans is very less and thus, they go easy on the pocket, in terms of both money and energy. Flies and mosquitoes are quite common in our places. With a constant circulation of air, the ceiling fans help in getting rid of these flies. Ceiling fans look elegant and they help in improving the décor of your house. The fans are out of the reach of children or pets. Thus, they are completely safe to use. Ceiling fans are very convenient appliances that do not need much of maintenance. But, if you take care of them properly, you can add a few extra years of service to the fan. Some of the simple and smaller things that you can do are lubricating the motor of the fan. This ensures a smooth operation. Some fans also come with sealed ball bearings. They don’t need any lubrication. If you notice that the fan is generating some noise, it is an indication that your fan needs some maintenance. The noise is generated due to the vibrations. Fans that come with metallic containers vibrate less when compared to the ones without metallic containers i.e. the fibreglass fans. You can reduce this sound by replacing the older ball bearings with the new ones. Also, the fans with brushless DC motors generate lesser noise than those with ball bearing motors. Out of curiosity, few people try to replace the blades of the fan with some other fan’s blade. This is a very wrong practice. You should only use the original set of blades as it might affect the efficiency of the motor. The regulators also play a major role in saving power consumption. Fans that come with step-type switching electronic fan regulators help you in saving more than 30-40% power consumption. You should clean the blades of the fan on a regular basis to prevent the build-up of dust. If the blades of the fan become too heavy due to the dust, it might slow down the rotation process. A ceiling actually doesn’t cool the room, instead it makes the occupants to cool down. The air breeze circulated from a properly placed and sized ceiling fan will cool the occupant – this is achieved by disrupting the stagnant air that is surrounding the occupants. This will eventually lead increase body’s heat loss. According to the basic principle, as the number of blades increase, the quieter it gets and less amount of air it circulates. Additional blades will increase the weight on the fan motor and obviously slows down. This is the main reason why industrial fans and wind turbines have only 2 or 3 blades. So, it is better to have 3 blades to get enough circulation in the room. There are basically 3 advantages of having a ceiling fan… Low energy costs – When compared to air conditioning, ceiling fans consume much less power. As it has low power motor, it will consume less power which eventually save your pocket. Versatility – Most of us ignore the fact that a ceiling fan is the most ignored electrical appliance. But we cannot ignore the fact that it gives a different look to your interiors, making it more unique. Stylish – With different colors and styles, a ceiling fan adds a style statement to your home. They will not only cool down the temperature but also brighten the room. Unlike air conditioners, ceiling fans do not cool the space in the room. However, a ceiling fan can cool down the occupants in the room. Yes, it is considered safe enough even if you leave the ceiling fan for a really long time. It is even safe to leave it on even there is no occupant in the room. It may be helpful in maintaining proper air circulation and proper room temperature. They have to be placed in the middle of the room. It has to be at least 7 feet above the floor and 18 inches from the ceiling. If it is possible, you can install it 8 – 9 feet above the floor. It provides proper airflow. In some cases, where a motor is overheated then it may cause ceiling fan to catch fire. Apart from that, bad wiring is also a reason for catching fire. Loose wiring can cause sparks that can eventually cause a fire. For providing enough air circulation, a ceiling fan requires to move lots of air. That is why it has to be placed at enough distance from the ceiling and optimize the pitch of blades. If the fan is installed too close to the ceiling, then it may not have enough space to push the air towards the floor. In terms of operation, tower/floor fans are much quieter. For a larger room, ceiling fans are much better as they provide enough air circulation. However, if you want to move the fan from one place to another, then floor or tower fans can be useful. Even worst ceiling fans can cost an average of few rupees per hour to run. The running costs are actually pretty negligible that is why ceiling fans are considered a great energy saving alternative for air conditioners. Usually, balance is the reason for the noise or wobbling. Though a slight wobble or little noise is normal but if it is annoying then it is better to get it checked by an electrician. Some of the fans are specially designed to fit and work on sloped/ angled ceilings. If you are looking for a fan for an angled ceiling, then I recommend to check out the instructions and specifications provided by the manufacturer before the purchase. Usually, the ceiling fan designed for angled fans has a separate sloped-ceiling mounting kit. But remember that a normal ceiling (which is not designed for sloped ceiling) is not recommend to fix on an angled ceiling. Some of the popular brands include Havells, Crompton, Usha, Orient, Orpat and Luminous.1.Blade Sweep and the Size of the Room
2. Airflow
3. Fans Speed (RPM)
4. Length of the Drop Rod
LENGTH OF DROP ROD (IN INCHES)
CEILING HEIGHT (IN FEET)
36
13
24
12
18
11
12
10
6
9
5. Blade Tilt/Pitch
6. Power/Energy Consumption
7. Blade Length
8. Mounting Options
9. Number of Fan Blades
10. Motor
11. Noise
12. Speed Control
13. Reversible Fans
14. Other Features/Accessories
15. Budget
16. Warranty
17. Types of Ceiling Fans
Standard Ceiling Fans
Low Profile Ceiling Fans
Dual Motor Ceiling Fans
Damp & Wet Ceiling Fans
Benefits of a Ceiling Fan
1. Maintains room temperature
2. Can be used as a backup option
3. Saves power
4. Keeps pesky flies at bay
5. Enhances decor
6. Safe to use and operate
How to maintain a Ceiling Fan?
Some Frequently Asked Questions
One Response
It was helpful when you said to consider the speed of the fan. My sister was at my house last night for dinner, and she was talking about how she and her husband want to get a ceiling fan installed for their bedroom. I’ll pass this information along to her as they search for a fan to choose from.