Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Fundamentals Of Ceiling Fans


Ceiling fans are a basic necessity for the summer season. However, there are certain things that must be remembered while purchasing a ceiling fan.


To provide variety in design, manufacturers offer a wide range of blade styles in different models. However changing the blade style can negatively affect the fan's performance.Sloped Mount: This is used for angled or domed ceilings.It is recommended that the ceiling fan be mounted in the center of the room. Also, it must be about seven feet from the ground and about 18" from the walls. If it is possible, install the fan at the height of 8 to 9 feet from the ground.In addition, when mounting the fan, you have to remember that the average ceiling fan weighs approximately fifty pounds. It's not easy for a typical DIY homeowner attempting to connect a 50 lb. piece of electrical equipment over your head, standing atop a step ladder. While trying to hold it overhead, you'll be attempting to ensure that it is properly wired, the wire connections are tight, that everything is aligned, tight, level and straight. This is no easy combination of tasks if you are attempting to do it for the first time.When installing a ceiling fan in a bathroom or other humid places, it is recommended to go for a fan that is UL "damp" rated. When installing fans in a patio or front porch, look for a "wet" rating, as they are exposed to water.Motor Housing: This is the decorative part of the fan, which surrounds the fan motor. Fans with heavier materials are likely to cause less vibration. This also provides more stability to fans with longer down rods.Further, the fan itself has several components to install, including a mounting plate, motor, covering and blades. If any of these components are not installed correctly, it can cause the fan to wobble and lead to vibration.You first need to measure the room where the ceiling fans home will be. Your room size dictates the fan blade size. The small the room, the smaller the blade you will need on the fan. The larger the room, the larger the fan blade you need. For optimum airflow, ceiling fans should be hung no higher than seven to eight feet from the floor. This measurement will dictate the kind of mount you will need to purchase for your fan. The blade pitch dictates how efficiently the fan blades move air. The steeper the pitch the more air the blades will move in your room.225-400 sq. ft - Recommended fan size = 50-54 inchesOther features that ensure longevity comprise of heavy-duty windings, accurate engineering bearings and shock-absorbency. These features are generally found in the expensive ceiling fans.Are you purchasing a fan primarily for air flow or is it going to be the focal point of your room as well? If you are just going for air flow you can choose any fan that blends with your room.Wet or Damp RatingSecond, most ceiling fans are heavy enough that the junction box must be supported to the structure of the house, usually the ceiling joists. If this part of the job is done incorrectly, you risk a heavy fan crashing to the floor, creating a risk of injury. Even if the ceiling fan is on a sufficient mount, the junction box must be mounted perfectly level, to ensure that the fan rotates without a wobble. Insuring that the junction box is level is crucial, and not easily done.Flush Mount: This anchors the fan right to the ceiling. Generally, a standard fan can also be used as a flush mount; but still, "hugger" or "low profile" ceiling fans are available for the purpose.Mounting SystemsBlades: The angle of the blades of a fan is called pitch. It is determined in degrees. Blades with higher pitches move more air that is provided in cubic feet per minute. However, it is solely not responsible for the air movement. Other factors like motor design as well as speed, blade design, and various others affect the amount of air movement.144-225 sq. ft - Recommended fan size = 44 inches76-144 sq. ft - Recommended fan size = 36-42 inchesTo begin with, it is very essential to choose the right size of fan, according to the room dimensions. Blade span of a ceiling fan ranges from 29" to 54". The room where the ceiling fan is to mounted must be measured. Here are certain recommended fan sizes according to room dimensions:Did you know that you can save money on your electric bill by using ceiling fans? It is an inexpensive way to save you approximately 10-15% on your electric bill each year. Ceiling fans range in price from around $100 to over $1000 depending upon the finish and style. Ceiling fans can be usually installed in just a few hours using the easy to follow instructions included with the fan or you can pay someone to install it for you. So give it a try and install ceiling fans all through your house!

To provide variety in design, manufacturers offer a wide range of blade styles in different models. However changing the blade style can negatively affect the fan's performance.




Author: Stefan Rockhaus


No comments:

Post a Comment