Best 10 Ceiling Fans

Don't you love the feeling of a comfortable and breathable room? But, any homeowner can agree that in the summertime, staying indoors can cause discomfort as the air circulation is intolerable. Or even in the winter, we want to warm ourselves up to stay cosy and snug inside the house. That's why we refer to different cooling and heating solutions that can improve the air quality in our home. 

There are standard air conditioners, portable ones, evaporative coolers,  tower fans, desk fans, bladeless fans and pedestal fans. There are also air purifiers, dehumidifiers; you name it! The options are endless. The one thing all these have in common? They occupy space that, especially in smaller homes, might be too precious to compromise. 

Cue ceiling fans to the rescue! The top ceiling fans are excellent instalments that offer an effective way of improving the flow of the air quality in your room. They only take up a bit of the ceiling, thus making them perfect solutions for limited spaces. 

The need to stay comfy in your own home is critical all year round, winter to summer! The most premium choices have a combined 2-in-1 function as a heater and cooler so that you can relax indoors (or even outdoors on your patio) without irritation.

Are you interested in learning more about them before you go ahead and make a purchasing decision? Well, our buying guide is here to help you gain a better understanding of these fans as quickly as possible! So keep reading to find out all the must-haves you should be seeking!

What is a ceiling fan? 

A ceiling fan is a fan just like any other, but the main difference is that you mount it on the ceiling. They run on electricity and have rotating blades that pick up the room’s air and circulate it to improve the flow. When staying at one spot for too long, you might notice that the air in the room is static. To make the atmosphere more comfortable, these fans help cool people down thanks to the movement of the air, which would otherwise pile up and create a hot mess indoors.

Ceiling fans come in various colours, with unique designs and a different number of blades. There are options in silver, black, chrome and wooden finishes that can match any home decor and room without sticking out too much. 

You could either have an indoor ceiling fan on an outdoor ceiling fan. Some are versatile enough to use either inside or outside the house. The indoor ones that are the most popular have a motor, blade irons, a mounting system, a flywheel, blades, and a downrod system. 

How do ceiling fans work? 

The biggest difference in their working mechanism compared to other fans is that ceiling fans don't extract warm air. Instead, these fans rotate the existing air using the blades to offer anyone within the room a cooler and more breathable setting. 

The blades circulate the air in the room by turning a motor, and the spinning helps improve the air quality. These fans aren't stand-alone heaters or coolers. They are air circulators. But, they can help you adjust the air temperature in the room to match the season as some have a reverse motor mechanism with a special summer or winter mode. 

In reality, what’s happening is that the cool or hot air, respectively, rises upwards and through the spinning comes downwards again closer to you, giving you a cold or warm breeze. The temperature in the room remains the same, but the feeling that it’s reduced reaches your body.

Why should you buy a ceiling fan? 

There are many advantages to owning a ceiling fan that make us consider them a worthy investment. Let's have a look at the most beneficial reasons you should be looking into these fans.

1. They occupy less space. 

If you're tight on space and don't want to have something that takes up your entire wall, ceiling, or even floor, then a ceiling fan is the best option for you. These excellent fans are suitable for all room types, small to large. Most product descriptions will give you an estimate of the area occupancy they have, usually in square meters or square feet.

2. They are very energy-efficient.

Many prefer ceiling fans over other methods because they reduce energy consumption around the house, helping lower your electricity bills. A good indicator of a ceiling fan’s energy efficiency is whether it has an Energy Star certification. The certified ones have passed a test to move the air with 20% more efficiency than other models. Also, if they have a light kit, that means that they are 60% more energy-efficient.

3. They go well with any home decor. 

If interior design is essential to you and you don’t want to add a bulky piece that’s also not stylish, ceiling fans are your pick! They are unlike any other fan because their blades have elegant finishes to match any home. The options range from basic whites to modernistic chromes and metals and even more neutral wood tones. You can effortlessly find one that blends well with the rest of the house. 

What features should a ceiling fan have? 

Besides decorative purposes, though, you should also consider the practical features before picking a ceiling fan. We’ve added up a list below of the key things to look for prior to your purchase. 

1. Room Size & Blade Size

Depending on the room size, you should make the right choice so that your ceiling fan can fit that specific area. Thankfully, there are many different fan sizes to accommodate any room. There are fans with blade spans starting at 76cm to over 132cm. To pick the right one, you first have to look at what room size you’re working with. 

• Up to 10 square meters: 90cm or less
• 10-15 square meters: 105cm or less
• 15-25 square meters: 132cm or less
• Over 25 square meters: above 132cm

2. Ceiling Height

The height of the ceiling also matters to ensure that your fan hangs at just the right height. Based on that, you can adjust the downrod’s length, which is the metal piece that connects the fan to the mounting mechanism. For best results, the fan should hang at least 2m above the floor. 

Now, if your ceiling is low, then you will need to flush mount the fan. But, check the product description as not all fans are compatible with this mounting method. For high ceilings, fans require a longer downrod. Also, if your roof is sloped, you will have to look into ceiling adapters to hang the fan safely.

3. Blade Number & Pitch

Most traditional ceiling fans have between 3 and 4 blades, but you can find others with more blades than that. Some think that the more blades, the better flow of air you can get in the room. Actually, too many blades can result in higher resistance. Not to mention that the fan’s weight and the noise that it makes will also increase. For best efficiency, go for triple blades.

Another key consideration for blades is their pitch number. Higher pitches translate to more air movement. The average range you should be looking at is 12-15 degrees in angle. Anything below 12 degrees will result in less efficient movement. 

4. Power Consumption

Ceiling fans are power-saving air circulators, but it’s still nice to find a product that will be the most cost-effective one. To understand its power consumption, check to see the wattage rating, its blade number, and the CFM and RPM ratings. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, and RPM stands for rotations per minute. 

The top ceiling fans average a CFM of 2000-6000, but there are other more high-end options too. RPMs should be between 350-390 so that the blades circulate the air with efficiency. Wattage-wise, the average ceiling fans range between 55W to 80W. The more wattage, the more powerful they will be. 

5. Motor Type 

There are two different motor types available: alternating current (AC motor) ones or direct current (DC) ones. AC are the standard ones as they are quiet in operation and affordable options. DC motors are the latest trend as they consume less energy and are almost silent but are a bit pricier. 

6. Lighting

Many products come as ceiling fan lights that allow you to create a dimmable and ambient setting in the room. The first thing to check is if the fan has a built-in light or a light kit. If there is no light kit, you can buy one separately too. Most bulbs work with any ceiling fan, but to have peace of mind, read the description about the compatible light bulbs (LED bulbs, halogen, incandescent, fluorescent).

7. Reverse Switch

Some ceiling fans have reversible motors that can switch the blade’s rotation from clockwise to counterclockwise. In the summer, it’s best to have your ceiling fan in the counterclockwise rotation to keep you cool by pushing hot air away from you. In the winter, switch the motor to rotate the blade clockwise and push the built-up ceiling heat downwards to keep you warm. 

8. Controls

There are three ways that you can control your ceiling fan, a remote control, a pull cord or a switch on the wall. A control gives you the most versatility to handle all aspects of your fan, such as power on/off, speed controls and turning on/off the LED light. A pull cord is simpler than a control, but it’s best for lower ceilings where you can reach for the cord without strain. Wall switches are less complicated than controls, but they come with some installation costs. Also, advanced wall control options let you adjust the dimness of LED ceiling fans.

What types of ceiling fans are available? 

There are three common ceiling fan types available in the market, standard, low profile ceiling fans and outdoor ones. 

• Standard: Very versatile and multifunctional and come in many styles. They work with a pull cord, control or wall switch and can work with or without lights.
• Low Profile: Also known as hugger or flush mount fans, these are best for low ceilings with limited head clearance. They are less efficient than standard ones but still achieve sufficient flow of air.
• Outdoor: You can use an outdoor fan indoors and outdoors, but you can’t use an indoor one outdoors. That’s because the indoor ones don't have a waterproof and moisture-proof design. Outdoor fans are best for patio use.

Where should you place your ceiling fan? 

Placement is critical because it improves the overall flow of air in the room. To have the maximum output possible, install or mount your ceiling fan in the middle of the room so that it can reach all angles equally. Also, as we mentioned above, they should be at least 2m off the floor but, if you have space, up to 3m for even better flow of air. Finally, make sure that there is at least a 0.5m distance from each wall to avoid the blade edges from scraping or damaging any surrounding objects.

How can you keep your ceiling fan wobble-free?

One pain point with ceiling fans is that they could dangle when in use, but it’s very simple to fix this problem in just a few steps. All you have to do is purchase a blade-balancing kit with adhesive weight and an adjustment clip. Check the steps you have to take to balance the ceiling fan properly.

• Attach the clip on any blade, power the fan on and keep track of its wobbling.
• Progress through each blade, testing it out similarly to find the least wobbly blade.
• Keep the clip on the least wobbly blade’s internal part that’s close to the fan.  
• Take out the clip and replace it with an adhesive weight at the centre of the spot.
• You should now be able to enjoy a wobble-free ceiling fan.

Can you install a ceiling fan on your own? 

If you’re a DIYer, there is a possibility that you could install your ceiling fan without expert help. But, that’s only the case if you already have electrical wiring over the mounting position in place. Otherwise, a professional electrician will have to estimate the situation and assist you in installing it. You can, however, set up your ceiling fan on your own, as most products come with detailed instructions to help you DIY it. 

How much do ceiling fans cost? 

A ceiling fan is a worthy investment that will save you money in the long run as it cuts down your electricity bills in half. Rain or shine, you can use them to replace your cooler or heater needs as they make the atmosphere more comfortable for you to relax without feeling too hot or cold. 

Affordable 

The most inexpensive products can cost £40-100 and usually come with three or four blades. They are more likely to be fan-only without a light, but you could find one that takes light bulbs too. Their wattage will be less powerful than the other premium models but still sufficient to cover your basic needs. Also, these could include the winter/summer mode and a remote control, even though they are features that usually bump the price. 

High End

You will find more versatile picks on the upper end of the price scale that start from £100-200. These are ceiling fans with lights that could have up to 6 rotating blades. They also come in eye-catching finishes that blend well with all home decor and give a modern look to your space. Premium ceiling fans are also more likely to run on energy-saving DC motors rather than the more affordable AC ones. The power will be superior, and the control features far more adjustable. If you can spend a bit more, you can even get smart fans with built-in WiFi capabilities. 

Closure

Stay cool or warm depending on the season, without rushing to turn on the AC or heater! The best ceiling fans can give you a budget-friendly solution that will cost less on electricity bills and offer you breathable flow of air in the house. Whatever height your ceiling has, there is an option out there that won’t have you hunching down. Looking to add some character to your cottage? Want to continue your contemporary or industrial look and feel? There are endless possibilities with online retailers! We are optimistic that our buying guide has helped you gain a better understanding of ceiling fans. From how they work to what features they should have and other FAQs consumers just like you have asked. Take some time to review our top picks and get ready to improve the movement of the air in any room! Are you feeling the heat?