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Ceiling Fan Blades
Blades are the easiest part of a ceiling fan to replace, and often the feature most considered when purchasing a ceiling fan. The angle at which the fan's blades are tilted relative to the X-axis is referred to as the "blade pitch". The steeper (greater) the pitch, the greater the airflow. Since increased pitch also means increased drag, only fans with well-made motors can support steep pitches.
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Most fans typically have a pitch between 9 and 13 degrees.
Blades with a 15-degree pitch cut into the air and circulate it more efficiently.
- Small areas like an 8x10-foot bedroom or small kitchen require 30- to 36-inch blades.
- Medium-sized rooms up to 12x12 feet require 42-inch blades.
- Large rooms that measure up to 18x20 feet need at least 52-inch ceiling fan blades.
Blades should be sealed to protect from warping and exposure to grime. A variety of woods, metals, and synthetic properties go into making ceiling fan blades that enhance any decor.
Mounting Ceiling Fans
Check the height from ceiling to floor, taking into account the actual distance that the fan suspends from the ceiling. Safety and most building codes require that ceiling fan blades hang no lower than 7 feet above the floor - preferably 8 to 9 feet. Blades suspended a minimum of 8 feet above the floor circulate air more efficiently.
For lower ceilings, there are hugger mounts that place fans close to ceilings without use of downrods. However, a reasonable distance between ceiling and blades allows for better circulation of warm air trapped at ceiling level. Standard 8-foot ceilings use a standard included 6 inch downrod; ceilings that are 9 feet or higher require an additional longer downrod.
- A 12 inch downrod is recommended for 9 foot ceilings.
- An 18 inch downrod is recommended for 10 foot ceilings.
- A 24 inch downrod is recommended for 11 foot ceilings.
- A 36 inch downrod is recommended for 12 foot ceilings.
- A 48 inch downrod is recommended for 13 foot ceilings.
- A 60 inch downrod is recommended for 14 foot ceilings.
- A 72 inch downrod is recommended for 15 foot ceilings.
Electricity Requirements
Ceiling fans require no more energy to operate than a light bulb, so installing ceiling fans where light fixtures were should not cause an overload. New homes installed with ceiling fans are usually equipped to handle both fan and lights. If the circuit of an existing home will not support both a ceiling fan and light kit, have an electrician run a new circuit from the house's main panel.
