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Keep cool all year long.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
Ceiling fans do more than justkeep your house cool.
For a 12 x 12 bedroom, a 42-inch fan will work fine.
Im partial to the 48-inch fans in my own house because I likemore airflow while I sleep.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Pat McGowan
Aim for at least 7 feet between the floor and your fans blades.
For a 9- or 10-foot ceiling, use a 12-inch downrod.
For higher ceilings, add an additional 6 inches to your downrod length for every foot above 10 feet.
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Dimmable lighting offers the most versatility.Those prioritizing an energy-efficient fan should look for an Energy Star-certified model.
The remote shows no indication if the fan is properly turned off.
We also appreciated that the fan had an auto shutoff function if it’s accidentally left on.
We liked that the fan had an auto shutoff function, which is helpful if it’s accidentally left on.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Michael Navarro
The wood blades are well-balanced and complement the sleek, bronze nickel finish of the base.
While we loved this fan, keep in mind that itsintended for indoor use.
We were very impressed with how well this fan operatedespecially since its so affordable.
We found thatinstalling the fanwas easy and straightforward.
The fans five matte black blades were nice and lightweight, which added to the ease of installation.
The fan was more than efficient at cooling the room.
The three speeds acted quickly to cool the entire 11 x 11-foot office space.
We were able to easilychange the blades rotationby moving a slider switch on the fans motor housing.
We liked how the fan was almost silent on the lowest and middle speed.
While some other models come with a remote, this one operates with a pull chain.
It was quiet enough not to disturb us while working or sleeping.
Though it doesn’t have a remote, we liked how the pull chains were designed.
We noticed no discernible friction that could easily break the chains when pulling them.
We noticed that there was a significant difference between the middle speed setting and the high setting.
TheMinka-Aire F844-DK Light Wave 52 Inch Ceiling Fanis a three-blade ceiling fan that blew us away with its power.
Although it has three blades instead of five, we found that this had no effect on its functioning.
The fan was powerful enough that it easilycooled the roomit was in and surrounding rooms.
This is a beautifully designed fan that we think would suit any house with modern or contemporary decor.
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The other speeds are almost silent.
During the installation process, we noticed this fan was heavier than other fans we tested.
However, we did notice it was quite a bit heavier than other ceiling fans we tested.
The Portage Bay Hugger ceiling fan is operated by a pull chain rather than a remote, and during the testing the three speeds all worked well and quickly to cool the space.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Michele Hanson
Its five reversible blades cooled the space quickly and completely.
We also found that this fan was particularly efficient at dissipating any smells or humidity.
This fan is pull chain controlled only, though it can be wired to a wall switch if desired.
The lower setting provided a pleasant but noticeable breeze that felt like light wind blowing across the porch.
There was a slight whirring noise at the higher speeds but overall the fan was fairly quiet.
We used the fan almost every night in the warmer months.
The design is gorgeous and high-quality, and it works well to circulate the air.
Sleek and sophisticated with a contemporary black finish, theHunter Cassius Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fanis ideal forany modern home.
Despite being a downrod mount, the fan didnt hang too low with its provided 5 and 3-inch downrods.
The fan was simple but effective, and it worked efficiently and comfortably with all speed controls.
This fan is so silent that we would sometimes forget that it was even on.
We also appreciate the sleek, modern design that goes with a variety of decor styles.
Even with the dimmable option and several warmth parameters, and the lights are almost too bright.
When youreusing a stoveand an oven in the kitchen, it can quickly make the room much warmer.
The ceiling fan is operated by a remote control that is convenient and easy to use.
We noticed that the fans blades were very lightweight and installed easily.
How it Performed After Two Months
We absolutely loved using this fan.
The three configs, especially medium, were a vast improvement over the slow fan we previously used.
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The installation was a little confusingparticularly when trying to sync the remote.
We deemed theHarbor Breeze Mazon 44-inch Brushed Nickel Flush Mount Indoor Ceiling Fanas the best choice for small rooms.
The assembly wasnt as smooth as it was with other fans mainly due to the remote control.
The Minka-Aire ceiling fan was easy to install using a Phillips screwdriver, although the directions could have been a bit clearer.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Laura Miller
The remote required syncing with the fan before it would work properly.
After that initial confusion, however, the fan worked perfectly.
Unlike the Minka, the fan was a lot heavier than we originally anticipated.
The brushed nickel added a polished look to the room that elevated the aesthetic.
This fan exceeded our expectations.
The ability to change direction and push warm air downward was also a big plus in the cooler months.
We did find ourselves wishing it came with a holder for the remote.
The fan has a mesh drum, which won’t diffuse light.
You’ll want to stick with Edison or low-wattage bulbs to avoid a blinding glare.
Just keep in mind that the fan has a mesh drum, so the bulbs will be exposed.
This fan performed exactly as it should.
We truly had no complaints!
The reverse airflow feature also worked smoothly.
We also love that the fan retains the previous configs when you turn off the light switch.
It was quiet while it was running, even when it was operating on the highest setting.
The style of the fan also depends on the control options.
Blades
The blades of a ceiling fan also play a huge role in making a purchasing decision.
ElectricianKeith Pinkertonsays fan blades come in a variety of different options for homeowners to choose from.
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Several of the ceiling fans we tested have three blades.
Pinkerton added that a blades pitch is also an important factor to consider.
Borklund says more blades mean more air circulation.
The Hunter Fan Key Biscayne ceiling fan was a bit heavier when installed than the other models we tested.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Mary Honeyman-Speichinger
A downrod mount is when the fan hangs lower than the ceiling.
This number lets the buyer know how much air is beingcirculated by the fan.
Typically, a higher number means a higher airflow so the buyer can expect a more powerful fan.
When the fan turned on or off, it made a clicking sound as it started working.
Your Questions, Answered
How long do ceiling fans last?
Ceiling fans should last a long time, roughly around 10 years or so.
Of course, the longevity of a ceiling fan also depends on the quality.
Quality ceiling fans typically last a really long time, Borklund says.
What can you expect to pay for a quality ceiling fan?
Pinkerton says there are quality ceiling fans at almost any price point.
The elements that impact price are design and features, Pinkerton said.
Who We Are
Michelle Loveis a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens.
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What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
The most time-consuming part of this ceiling fan’s installation was getting the wiring done, but since the wires are all color-coded, even that wasn’t hard to do.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Ashleigh Morley
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The Hampton Bay Mena ceiling fan is ideal for a kitchen, and we found the fan’s blades were lightweight and easy to install.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Art Silverio
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The Harbor Breeze Mazon ceiling fan was installed fairly smoothly, though we recommend using a drill for the assembly to make it easier.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Kimberly Souza
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The Honeywell Carnegie ceiling fan sports a rustic stylish look with its four reversible blades, three dimmable LED Edison bulbs, and mesh drum.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Pat McGowan
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
