Blades
If choosing a fan with wood blades, make sure they are sealed to prevent warpage. Fans rated for use in damp locations, such as a porch or bathroom, usually have plastic paddles. Because they're produced as factory-matched sets, you can't swap out blades from different fans; it throws them out of balance (see "Fixing Wobbly Ceiling Fans" — page 7 — for tips on correcting wobbly fans). But many manufacturers offer a variety of blade styles for a given fan, allowing you to customize the look. Many blades are also reversible, featuring different finishes on either side of the paddle.

John Deere ceiling fan blade Decor set 5 Easy Appliques    US $8.50

Pooh Honey Pot Stem Mount Ceiling Fan – 16” Blades    US $19.99

CEILING FAN CRAFTMADE 5 BLADE 52” OIL RUBBED BRONZE    US $12.90

Take note of the pitch of the blades because that, along with the blade span, determines how well the fan cools. The steeper the blade pitch, the more effectively the fan will move air around. Look for angles between 11 and 16 degrees; this information is called out in the manufacturer's catalog or on the packaging. Smaller fans that are designed for tight quarters such as bathrooms, where circulating the air and exhausting it help to prevent mold and mildew from forming in the closed, often steamy space have blades canted up to 22 degrees. Fans that are to be used in damp or humid locations, like the bathroom or a covered porch, must be Underwriters Laboratories-certified for moist environments.

Motor. The motors in ceiling fans range between 1/60 and 1/3 hp. A higher-power motor helps meet the demands put on the fan by the resistance of the blades. In other words, the greater the span and pitch, the more powerful a motor is needed. Heavy-duty motors are more resistant to overheating, as well.

3 motor ceiling fan    US $799.00

Ceiling Fan Box Fan SPEED Motor Vari Speed CONTROL    US $29.75

Fanimation Punkah Series Ceiling Fan Motor Finish Rust    US $594.00

A motor with sealed bearings that never need to be oiled is among the items that denote quality in a fan. Another is a rubber flywheel, which helps keep the torque under control, stabilizing the fan while preventing noise from channeling up into the ceiling, where it is amplified. Inexpensive fans often lack these noise-dampening components...

While most people know what a ceiling fan is and its purpose, many questions remain unanswered that could assist when it comes time to buy a new fan or replace one that is outdated.

KICHLER WHITE 52 CEILING FAN NIBORIG $11500    US $29.99

Ellington 42 Ceiling Fan ELN42WB5 White Brass NEW    US $34.99

DISNEY`S CARS HUGGER CEILING FAN 001138    US $99.00

First, people want to know if there is really a difference from one ceiling fan to another. Second, they are interested in knowing if there is a difference from one manufacturer to another manufacturer or are all fans created equal. Third, there is a curiosity regarding pricing structure.

The best option is to make comparisons between a ceiling fan and with other types of appliances found in your home. The three factors that make up the differences include performance, durability, and quality.

Keep in mind that just like your kitchen stove, dishwasher, and washer and dryer are household appliances, your ceiling fan is also an appliance. The higher the grade of your fan, the more you can expect to pay.

When it comes to ceiling fan prices, you immediately notice that not only is there a difference from model to model, but also from store to store. While the common belief is that the design and appearance of the fan is what causes such drastic differences, the real reason is because of the fan motor. The price will vary depending on the way in which the motor is built as well as the materials used on the outside for the finishing process.

When it comes to warranties, you probably have manufacturer or extended warranties on your other appliances. Therefore, is it recommended that you also have a warranty on your ceiling fan?

Since the majority of ceiling fans, regardless of grade or price, have a lifetime warranty, you do not need to worry about this too much. In addition, these warranties are considered as "limited warranties", meaning that while some of the larger parts of the fan may be covered, it is likely that not all parts are.

The most common reason people buy ceiling fans is to help conserve energy. Although the fan does not work like a thermostat where the temperature is changed, they do work in that the blades create a soft breeze to a more powerful wind that provides a chill or heat effect.

Can you really notice a difference on your utility bill? The answer is yes. You may not see a huge difference, but every small savings turns into a big savings.

If you have an existing dimmer switch, you should remove it and not use that switch for your ceiling fan. In addition to the annoying noise, the motor of the fan will also be damaged.

Many people experience a wobbling fan. This is a common occurrence and one that is easy to fix. Do not think that only extended fans on long poles wobble. In fact, this type of setup has no greater risk of wobbling over that of a short pole.

Most fans also have a lighting fixture built in, that means you’ll have a couple extra wires in there for that function. Don’t worry, that will be the easiest part, just like wiring a light bulb. Check your fans schematics or instructions. You need to know which wires go to the lighting, and which go to the fan motor. After that it’s just a matter of making the right connections.

KICHLER WHITE 52 CEILING FAN NIBORIG $11500    US $29.99

Ellington 42 Ceiling Fan ELN42WB5 White Brass NEW    US $34.99

DISNEY`S CARS HUGGER CEILING FAN 001138    US $99.00

MOSES Bible Commandments Ceiling Decor FAN Light PULL    US $6,795.00

Casablanca Candelier Oil Rubbed Bronze Ceiling Fan    US $5,499.00

Bourbon St 2 Section Pulley System Ceiling Fan Black    US $4,169.88

Doing a final re-check is advised, before turning the power on. Then, you should do a quick test run, to make sure everything is working properly (never forgetting to follow the proper safety procedures). After which you just need to assemble the rest of the ceiling fan parts, and it’s done. You now have a new ceiling fan, and you just saved some valuable dollars by installing it yourself.

The good news is that identifying and correcting the problem is an easy solution. By keeping your ceiling fan in balance, you will enjoy cool breezes during the hot, summer months and warm circulating air in the wintertime.

KICHLER WHITE 52 CEILING FAN NIBORIG $11500    US $29.99

Ellington 42 Ceiling Fan ELN42WB5 White Brass NEW    US $34.99

DISNEY`S CARS HUGGER CEILING FAN 001138    US $99.00

In addition to an unbalanced fan affecting airflow, it can cause the motor to work harder than it should and, an unbalanced fan can be quite noisy. If you notice that your fan is wobbling when in operation, then the fan is out of balance.

To stop the wobbling, start by making sure the blades are all screwed in tightly to the blade holder. Then, check the screws going from the blade holder to the fan. Many times, a simply loose screw can be the culprit. If the screws are tight, take an ordinary yardstick, placing it vertically against the outside edge of one of the blades. Then, slowly turn the blades so you can view all of them. If you see, one or more of the blades are not in alignment, very gently bent it up or down to bring it into alignment with the other blades.

Before you get started, you first want to switch two adjacent blades. Simply remove a blade across from another and switch their positions. After you have done this, turn the fan on to see if the wobbling has stopped. If not, then you will need to move to the next step.

With the fan off, attach the balancing clip that comes in the kit, placing it firmly on the leading edge of just one blade. Check to be sure the clip is just halfway between the blades outer edge and the blade bracket. Again, turn the fan on to see if this corrected the wobbling problem.

Use the other clips on each blade, checking the wobble after each placement. Once you have identified the blade with the lease wobble, move the clip back to it. However, you want to change the position of the clip, attaching it to the leading edge of the blade close to the bracket. Once again, turn the fan on to check the degree of the wobble.

If there is still a wobble, turn the fan off and move the clip out toward the end of the blade but moving it in very small increments, checking the wobble each time. When you have finally found the right position for the clip, remove the protective paper off the back of one of the self-adhesive strips and place it down firmly on the same blade with the clip along the centerline but opposite of the clip.

The clip can then be removed and the fan turned on. The wobble should be gone but if you notice there is still a little wobbling problem, you can go through this process with each of the blades. While this takes a little bit of time, it is an easy process to fix your problem.

With blade diameter ranging from 16 to 45 inches, it’s not that hard to find a ceiling fan that will fit your desired location. Even if you have a small living room or kitchen, you don’t need to get a large ceiling fan that will most likely look out of place there. A 42” ceiling fan is enough for a room up to 12’x12’. If you are not sure about the best size for your rooms, you should request more information on any ceiling fan dealer – or use the internet to find your answers.

Ellington 42 Ceiling Fan ELN42WB5 White Brass NEW    US $34.99

Craftmade 42 Warplanes Sopwith Camel Ceiling Fan    US $198.00

HUNTER LOW PROFILE III BRASS 42 CEILING FAN 23860 NEW    US $21.51

Bigger is not always better. You should get a small ceiling fan suitable for the room area and that will look good too. As you’ve seen, fan sizes are not the problem – there are ceiling fans for every place. Just check the final placement, and select the right size for it.

Ceiling fan blade covers are basically sleeves that fit over your existing fan blades. One of its most basic function, they keep your fans clean (everyone knows that dusting off your ceiling fan is not one of the easiest tasks) – you just take the covers off, and wash them, getting rid of any dust mites that might want to plague your home. You can also use them to set the mood in special occasions like birthdays, Christmas, and July 4th.

Palm Frond Ceiling Fan Blade Covers Burl Discount    US $85.00

Palm Frond Ceiling Fan Blade Covers Dk Bamboo Style    US $105.00

Natural Grasscloth Ceiling Fan Blade Covers 5    US $42.99

Most ceiling fan covers are so cheap that you can buy several sets, with different themes, and rotate them every couple of weeks, never growing tired of any of them. Some covers even offer an increased airflow, by adding extra fan area. Although pricier than the fabric covers, they can often enhance an old ceiling fan performance for a fraction of the cost of a new ceiling fan.

There are times when you don’t care about space-age materials or high-performance designs. If you have a classic room décor, you’ll need a ceiling fan that will not look out of place there. Besides, even an antique fan will deliver that needed cooling breeze without a problem. And most importantly, it will look like it was made precisely to match your room.

vintage old antique robbins myers electric ceiling fan    US $1,525.09

HUNTER 20182 STUDIO SERIES ANTIQUE BRASS CEILING FAN    US $33.57

HUNTER 20430 BEACON HILL 42 ANTIQUE BRASS CEILING FAN    US $12.50

Of course, if you want a real antique fan, you must be ready to pay a higher price than a plastic low cost ceiling fan. Even so, you can look around the internet for the best deals, or even resort to some modern look-alikes if price is an issue. Just keep in mind that you should take your time to see what offers are available: don’t jump into the first deal you find. Not only you might be doing a bad deal, but you could find a much better looking fan a few moments after. Take your time, and do your research thoroughly.

Ceiling Light fixtures are probably one of the most practical ceiling fan accessories. After all, if you already have it hanging from your ceiling, why not use it for lighting too? Closely followed by the wireless remote controls. Why should you have to get up and head to the nearest wall control? Just press a few buttons on the remote and adjust the cooling to your preferences.

Chrome Chain Marques Light Ceiling Fan pulls    US $.99

BUILDERS BEST CEILING FAN LIGHT KIT    US $50.00

Shabby Pink Cottage Rose Ceiling Fan Light Chain Pull    US $21.95

Depending on the brand, some of these options might already be included – or may not even be an option. So, be sure to check all these option first. Also, keep in mind some of these accessories can often be expensive, adding quite a toll on the final price; be sure to check that too. Of course, having the ability to light up your ceiling fan fixture and set it spinning without ever leaving your couch…

NEW PANASONIC FAN FV 08VQ3 80CFM WHISPER CEILING FAN    US $95.00

Panasonic Fv 11vq3 Whisper Ceiling Ventilation Fan NEW    US $112.99

Panasonic FV08VQ3 WhisperCeiling™ 80 CFM Ceiling Fan    US $96.00

No matter what kind of ceiling fan you need, Panasonic has it. Need a low profile ceiling fan? Their WhisperFit range of fans will fit the smallest ceiling cavities. Want it combined with lighting? No problem: WhisperLite. No need to mention that all these units provide ultra-quiet (hence their “whisper” name) and efficient operation using the most advanced technology. And we’re just scratching the surface… Anyway, don’t be scared by the number of models available. A quick search on the internet will allow you to choose the right model quickly without hassle.

Besides these usual models, Panasonic has a lot more products for more specialized needs: units capable of ventilating multiple rooms, with or without integrated heating systems, safety dampers that shut in case of fire, and many more. Just like I said: whatever ceiling fan you need, you’ll find it at Panasonic.

In most cases, the whooshing sound produced by ceiling fans is not an issue. Most people don’t even notice it unless the room is in complete silence. But for those with more sensitive ears, or for applications where noise sources are not acceptable – for instance, if you want to install some ceiling fans in your home theater room, you certainly wouldn’t like to have the ceiling fan noise distracting you on those quiet moments on screen, would you? – silent ceiling fans are the only option.

NEW PANASONIC FAN FV 08VQ3 80CFM WHISPER CEILING FAN    US $95.00

Panasonic Fv 11vq3 Whisper Ceiling Ventilation Fan NEW    US $112.99

Panasonic FV08VQ3 White Whisper Ceiling Bathroom Fan    US $109.99

It’s nice to know there are ceiling fans specially designed for low noise operation. These whisper silent fans, although costing slightly more than their noisier counterparts, are an option most of us will gladly prefer. After all, silence is golden, isn’t it?