How To Determine The Correct Size Ceiling Fan For A Room

How practice you lot measure a ceiling fan?

A ceiling fan brings both style and function to any space. Whether you're getting a new ceiling fan for the first time or replacing an older i, y'all'll need to select a fan in the appropriate size for your space. Even if the room already has a fan, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the correct size for your room. Although in that location are many options, styles, and models available when choosing a ceiling fan, picking the right size is of import for finer cooling your room, properly circulating fresh air, and reducing stuffiness.

Employ the following guide from the experts at Hunter to acquire how to measure out ceiling fan size.

Time needed:
Less than thirty minutes

Skill Level:
Beginner

Tools needed:
Ladder, Tape Measure,
Calculator

Tabular array of Contents

ane. How to mensurate a room for a ceiling fan
ii. How to measure a ceiling fan
3. How to measure ceiling fan downrod length
4. Additional ceiling fan size considerations

01.

How to measure a room for a ceiling fan

You may be replacing an old fan, or you may be picking a fixture for a room that didn't have i before – in either case, you'll want to measure your space. By taking a few measurements before shopping, you tin can find the correct fit to achieve the best results. Identify which ceiling fan size you'll need for a particular room by first computing its area. Then, utilize those measurements to select an appropriate fan size.

Measure the foursquare footage of the room

When installing a ceiling fan, size matters. For instance, ceiling fans ranging from 29 to 36 inches work best for small-scale rooms like home offices and utility rooms that are less than 75 foursquare feet. On the other paw, you need ceiling fans 50 inches or larger to effectively cool most large-sized bedrooms, basements, and living rooms.

Measuring a rectangular room is relatively easy with the following steps:

01. Using a record measure, decide the length of the room (in feet) past measuring from one wall to the opposing parallel wall.

02. Similarly, decide the width of the room by measuring the distance between the other wall that is perpendicular to the wall you just measured.

03. To calculate the room'south surface area, simply multiply the room's length by its width. For example, a 10-foot by 12-foot room has an area of 120 square feet.

If your room is 50-shaped, factor its foursquare footage past dividing the space into two non-overlapping rectangles. After measuring the square footage of both sections, add those numbers together and you'll accept the total area.

How to use your measurements to select a fan size

Once you know the room'southward square footage, utilize your measurements to select the right fan size.

Refer to the following chart to coordinate the square footage of your infinite with the appropriate blade span to provide optimal air circulation. If you lot don't accept a fan yet, simply expect for the foursquare footage of your room in the nautical chart and detect the respective blade span.

In larger spaces, consider installing multiple fans to increase air circulation and comfort level.

02.

How to measure a ceiling fan

When you're ownership a new ceiling fan, the fan size will be listed on the fan's box or on the production'south webpage. Easy enough. Only, to determine if your existing ceiling is the right size for your space, you'll need to learn how to measure the diameter of a fan. A ceiling fan that's as well small doesn't broadcast air finer; alternatively, a fan that'south too big overpowers the room (and no i wants papers blowing everywhere).

Knowing how to mensurate the ceiling fan's bore will let you lot compare the length of the blade span to the foursquare footage of your room using the table from department 1. First, apply the following data to larn how to measure ceiling fan length.

Measuring a fan bore

When you're shopping for ceiling fans, you'll notice that their sizes are measured in inches. These measurements are referred to every bit the bract bridge or the sweep of the fan, which is the same as the diameter. The manner to measure out a ceiling fan diameter varies based on blade count.

Follow these steps on how to measure the blade bridge of a ceiling fan:

01. Before measuring, plow the power to the fan off and look for the blades to cease spinning.

02. Using a step ladder if needed, concur your tape measure out at the tip of the bract.

03. If your fan has an even number of blades, mensurate the distance betwixt the tip of the bract to the tip of the opposing blade to determine the diameter.

04. If your fan has an odd number of blades, measure the altitude between the tip of the bract and the center of the fan to determine its radius. Then, multiply that number by 2 to determine the diameter.

To ensure that air volition broadcast efficiently, your ceiling fan blades should have approximately thirty inches of clearance from the walls.

One time you have your measurements, remember to refer to the nautical chart from section 1 and make sure the diameter aligns with your room size earlier purchasing a replacement. If it'southward not the correct size, use the nautical chart to go the recommended fan size for the square footage of your space.

03.

How to measure out ceiling fan downrod length

A ceiling fan downrod is the piece of hardware that connects the mounting bracket to the fan trunk (also referred to as the motor housing) to increase stability, reduce the adventure of wobbling, and ensure the proper hanging elevation for efficient performance. You'll need to consider how low the fan should hang to ensure an optimal altitude between the ceiling and the fan blades besides as provide enough clearance space between the blades and the tops of people'southward heads. For adequate air circulation, your ceiling fan blades should have at least eight inches of clearance from the ceiling, and for maximum safety, your ceiling fan should hang at least seven feet in a higher place the floor.

Measuring ceiling meridian

Use a tape mensurate and a step ladder to summate the distance from the floor to the ceiling. This measurement volition bespeak the type of fan yous want to install:

01. For ceiling heights less than eight anxiety, you'll need a low-profile ceiling fan.

02. If your room has a ceiling height of 9 feet or more, install a ceiling fan with a downrod.

Calculating downrod length

If your ceiling is alpine enough to require a downrod, follow these steps to summate the correct ceiling fan downrod length:

01. Use a tape measure (or refer to the product dimensions) to find the summit of the ceiling fan you want to install. This will include the motor housing and lighting fixture (if applicable) without the downrod. This information may also exist in the user transmission or on the box.

Most fan housings have a summit between 8 to 12 inches.

02. Decrease the fan pinnacle from your ceiling summit.

03. And so, subtract that number from your desired hanging height to find the appropriate downrod length.

Remember: Your fan blades should have a minimum of vii feet of clearance from the floor and a minimum 30 inch of clearance from the nearest wall or door.

So, if you accept 12-foot ceilings and you lot want to install a 12-inch ceiling fan, that means yous take eleven feet between the floor and the fan. If your preferred hanging height is eight anxiety, yous'll demand a three-foot downrod.

04.

Additional ceiling fan size considerations

When installing a new ceiling fan or replacing an old one, information technology'south important to remember that every state of affairs volition be different. Have the following considerations into account when determining the ceiling fan size you'll need:

Light kits

When measuring the height of ceiling fans with lights, keep in heed that the calorie-free kit will add actress inches. Include those in your calculation.

Back up

Ceiling fans vary in weight. Brand certain the area you mount the fan is strong plenty to back up the fixture and has the appropriate electrical junction box.

Obstacles

When computing your downrod length, take potential obstacles like cabinets, furniture, and doors into account. The tips of the fan blades need a 30-inch clearance to properly fit your space.

Ceiling shape

If your ceiling is angled or sloped less than 32 degrees, the subclass that comes with your Hunter fan will work. If its angle is greater than 32 degrees, you lot'll need to buy an angled ceiling mount adapter.

When you purchase ceiling fans that fit your infinite and ceiling elevation, you tin add together a functional and eye-communicable design statement to a variety of dissimilar rooms. The higher up guide from Hunter Fan Visitor should aid you acquire how to measure a ceiling fan and calculate the right downrod length to choose the right fan size for your space.