Ceiling fan blades can range from 29 to 72 inches. To determine the appropriate size ceiling fan and quantity of fans you will need, measure the room where you will have the fan installed, multiply the length of your room X the width of the room and follow these suggested guidelines.

	Room Size	Suggested Fan Size
up to 75 Sq ft	Bathrooms*, hallways, breakfast nooks	29"-36"
76 to 144 Sq ft	Small Bedrooms, kitchens	36"-42"
145 to 225 Sq ft	Bedrooms, kitchens, dining	44"-48"
225 to 400 Sq ft	Standard bedrooms, family, and dining rooms	48"-54"
Over 400 Sq ft	Great Rooms Large Areas	52"-72"

* When installing a fan in a bathroom or any humid location, purchase a fan that has been UL listed with a "damp" rating. For fans that may come in direct contact with water, such as front porch or patio, purchase a fan with a UL "wet" rating. These fans will have features such as sealed/moisture resistant motors, rust resistant housing, stainless steel hardware and all weather blades.

Ceiling Fans should be centered in the room with a minimum of 18" clearance between the wall and the blade.

For optimal cooling, the fan should be installed 8’ or 9’ above the floor. With a cathedral type ceilings, the fan may look better if it hangs at the 10’ to 14’ height. Optional accessory downrods are available to achieve the desired height above the floor.

Ideally, ceiling fan blades should be 7 to 8 feet from the floor for maximum cooling. For ceilings 9 feet tall or taller, use a downrod to bring the ceiling fan down to the proper height above the floor. Refer to our Fan Facts page for more information on room and ceiling sizes.

Ceiling Fan Extension Downrods

Ceilings taller than 9 feet will require an extension downrod. For example, a 14 foot ceiling would require a five foot extension downrod to position the blades 8 feet above the floor, since you need to allow a minimum of one foot for the space from the top of the motor to the bottom of the switch housing.

A general formula for calculating downrod length is: ceiling height in feet minus 9’ = downrod length. This formula is based on the fan-to-floor distance of 8 feet plus 1 foot for the dimension of the fan. So if your ceiling height is 12 feet, you need a 3 foot downrod in order to properly position the fan 8 feet from the floor.

Using long-length downrods for fan installations actually help stabilize fans and reduce the potential for wobble. Think of a grandfather clock pendulum and its slow, heavy swing versus a smaller clock pendulum with a fast, unsteady swing. Weight and length combine to create stability, reducing wobble, whether it is in a ceiling fan or a clock pendulum.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for fan dimensions if you have any concerns about downrod sizing.

Ceiling Fans for rooms with Low Ceilings less than 8 feet

In rooms with low ceiling clearance, the fan blades should not be lower than 7’. Hugger, Snugger or Low Profile fans work best in these situations.

Use the Ceiling Fan Year Round

Most ceiling fans feature a reverse motor and airflow switch, allowing you to operate the fan year-round. The control is usually found on the fan’s housing. Refer to your owner’s manual to locate this switch. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan! The benefit is additional energy and dollar savings.
In the summer, the blades should rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. This direction creates a downdraft, making you feel cooler.

In the winter, the blades should rotate in a clockwise direction. This direction creates an updraft that forces the warm air near the ceiling down into the room.

The air at the ceiling of a room is 15 degrees warmer than that on the floor. Getting this warmer air down to floor level creates comfort at a lower thermostat setting. To avoid wind chill with winter warming, operate the fan on low speed.

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