With how hot temperatures are in the Salt Lake Valley right now, you may be looking for any and every way to make your home feel cooler. One great option is a ceiling fan, which according to some estimates can make a room feel 4-5 degrees cooler than the actual temperature. But what size fan should you use, what height should it be, and what CFM should you get (and what is CFM exactly)? Our friends at Lighting Design shared the following helpful hints if you are looking to add a ceiling fan to your home.
Location
The first factor to consider when selecting a ceiling fan is where it will be used. Fans can be placed indoors or outdoors. Fans that are marked as indoors should be used indoors only because they are not wet-rated. Fans listed as indoor/outdoor can do in either location and are wet-rated.
Size
If you’ve ever walked down a ceiling fan aisle, it can be overwhelming, especially with so many size options, ranging from 36 inches to 72 inches. The size you should choose depends on the size of your room. Here’s a helpful guide from Lighting Design and Hinkley Lights:
- Rooms less than 100 square feet: 36-44 inches
- Rooms 100-150 square feet: 52-56 inches
- Rooms over 150 square feet: 60-72 inches
Ceiling Height
You will likely need to purchase a downrod separately, and your ceiling height will determine what size downrod you need. Lighting Design has a helpful chart to determine which size downrod you need. Click here for the blog with that chart.
CFM
CFM is Cubic Feet per Minute, a measurement of how much air flow your ceiling fan will give off. A higher CFM is going to give you more air flow, so it is advised to look for a fan with a higher CFM. Lighting Design recommends a fan of 5,000 CFM or higher.
Style
The last factor to consider is style. There are so many options available for ceiling fans, from more traditional styles to sleek, modern options. Lighting Design has an robust catalog of options from which to choose, so their website is a great place to start to find something that fits your style.
Looking for your dream home? Liberty Homes has been building new homes in Utah for more than 25 years. We take pride in our trade, crafting each home as if it were our own. Our quality, affordable homes are energy smart and thoughtfully personalized for your active Utah lifestyle. We currently have a limited number of single-family homes available in Bluffdale and West Valley and townhomes available in Salt Lake City. Contact us today to get started building your new home.
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