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The temperature of the room has become one of the essential things in a room. Although it can be organized with ventilation, the presence of a fan or an air conditioner can be important too. Both are capable of setting the temperature in the room so that it meets the users’ preferences. Also, when it comes to choosing a fan, there is a lot of things that need to be put the account into. Therefore, in this article, we are going to show you some of the fundamental things about fans, especially ceiling fans. The fan and the blade size, the airflow, and how ceiling fans work, all of those are the things that are going to be discussed in this article. So, let’s just jump into the discussion, shall we?
Determine the Right Size of the Fan
This might sound a little too complex as the first topic, but, hear me out, there is a reason why this is the first topic. It is because this is one of the first things you need to do before putting up a ceiling fan. Of course, you do not want to spend money and end up regretting your choice. That is why we need to plan it out.
What you need to do is measure the room size and also the fan size. This will help you find the ideal ceiling fan. How to do it? Simply grab a measuring tape and execute the plan. Furthermore, when it comes to measuring the fan, what you need to do is measure the blade sweep. To do this, you will need to measure from the tip of one blade to another. If the number of blades of the fan is odd, you can just simply measure from one tip to the center of the fan and then multiply the number. It is that easy.
Here is a table that will help you determine the appropriate size of the fan depending on your room size:
| Blade Sweep Size | Room Size |
| 29 inches to 36 inches | Up to 75 to square feet |
| 42 inches to 48 inches | Up to 175 square feet |
| 53 inches to 56 inches | Up to 350 square feet |
| 60 inches and more | 350 square feet and more |
Other than that, you can also go for two smaller fans instead of installing one ceiling fan in the middle. What you need to note down is that you should provide approximately 18 to 24 inches of clear space on all sides of the fan.
Measure the Hanging Height
How long should the down rods be? Does it even need one? What is the ideal distance? These questions might come up to your mind when deciding the right ceiling fan for your room. Well, you can stop wondering about the answers because we are going to give them to you in this section of the article.
According to ylighting.com, the ideal distance between the bottom of the fan and the floor is 8 to 9 feet. This is to create good air circulation in the room. However, you also need to measure the distance from the ceiling to the fan. This will also determine the quality of the airflow. The ideal distance is 12 inches to allow the air to circulate best in the room. If your room has a tall ceiling, you might need some down rods. Here is a tip, if your room has a 9-foot ceiling, you will need a 6-inch down rod. For rooms with taller ceilings, add another 6 inches for every foot.
Choosing Ceiling Fan Blades
You might encounter some ceiling fans with different numbers of blades and you might start wondering do the blades matter? The answer is no. Well, the question has changed more into a preference instead of function. That is correct, the number of blades does not influence the airflow. Instead, the CFM does. What is CFM? It stands for cubic feet per minute. It is measured when the fan is on high speed and then the number is divided by the watts used. The bigger the number, the more efficient the fan is. The ideal fan should have at least 75 cfm/w to be considered as efficient.
The Materials
One of the most frequently asked questions is do the materials affect the function of the fan? Well, the same with the number of blades, the materials depend on what look you are looking for and also your budget. There are various types of materials that can be used to make blades. For example, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) which made out of hardwood and softwood residuals. MDF is generally denser than plywood. Other than that, it is also affordable so it is really a go-to for you who is on a budget. However, it also has some flaws. For example, the outside will sag if there is any moisture, but it will be completely fine in a dry room.
Unlike MDF, plastics are more durable. Other than that, it can be shaped into different forms. So, for example, if you want it to look like it is made out of wood, it is very possible. Also, plastics are affordable. This makes plastic blades one of the go-to materials for ceiling fans. Its flexibility makes it easy to adjust to our preferences.
The next one is wood, which is another common material that is used to make fan blades. Other than its classic and rustic look, wood blades can work for both indoor and outdoor applications. Most wood blades are made out of balsa wood. It is solid, yet lightweight and aerodynamic. Wood blades have a thicker look compared to the other materials. However, they all still work efficiently.
Conclusion
Now you know the fundamental things before you decide which fan to be put on your ceiling. Although it seems there are so many things to consider when choosing the right ceiling fan, it will be quite easy if you follow the suggested steps above. I hope this article gave you an overview of what you need to know, to help you find the ideal ceiling fan.
