While many people install decorative ceiling-mount paddle-fans for cosmetic purposes, such fans serve a number of other useful purposes. Besides looking good, ceiling fans provide improved air circulation and, with an optional light kit, enhanced lighting.
It goes without saying how beneficial these fans are during those unbearably hot summer days. Generally they create a gentle breeze sufficient to make a stuffy room tolerable. But many are completely unacquainted with their cold-weather application.
Under normal circumstances the paddle blades rotate clockwise forcing the air downward. Most fan motors are reversible and, when operating in that mode, push air upward to the ceiling and down the adjacent walls.
The warm air that has been brought down from the ceiling is circulated throughout the space. This provides for a more evenly heated space which enhances comfort and allows the furnace to ease up a bit. This, in turn, results in lower utility bills.
Use of a fan in the reverse mode in cold weather also rids the home of sweaty windows. Condensation that forms on the inside of windows is eliminated by improved air circulation. However, a fan in the family room will probably not help sweaty windows in the bedroom.
Shopping for a fan can be as difficult as choosing an automobile. There is an incredible variety of shapes, sizes and finishes. Polished brass, stainless steel, copper, ebony lacquer, white lacquer, oak and rosewood are just a few of the various finishes available for the multitude of fan motor housings and blades.
There are as many different prices as there are fans. They range from about $50 to more than $1,000. We believe that you get what you pay for.
What does the $1,000 fan have that the $50 fan doesn’t? A lot! The more expensive fans are electronic. They contain computer chips that turn the fan motor and lights on and off automatically. They remotely reverse the direction of the fan, the speed of the fan and the intensity of the light with nothing more than the simple flip of a switch.
And the switch doesn’t even need to be mounted on the wall. The more expensive fans have remote controls. And that’s not all. How about a fan that has its own thermostat that will turn itself on and off automatically, according to the temperature of the room.
The better fans ($250 and up) are quieter and operate more smoothly. They are finely balanced and less likely to wobble. They also tend to have better finishes and more elaborate light kits.
Installing a ceiling fan is a breeze. For now, we’ll assume that a light exists and the fan will simply replace it.
Start by making sure that the power to the light and switch is off at the fuse or breaker box. Then disconnect the light fixture by removing the screws that secure it to the electrical box in the ceiling. Once the screws have been removed, lower the fixture housing and disconnect the fixture wires that join the fixture to the house wiring.
Once the fixture has been removed, inspect the integrity of the electrical box to make sure that it is safe and secure. Due to the added weight of the new fan, it’s a good idea to add support to the framing in the attic. This can be done with some wood blocking or with metal brackets designed specifically for this purpose. The key is to adequately secure the electric box to the homes structure with something more than one or two screws.
Next, assemble and install the fan in accordance with the instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Most companies offer a variety of optional switches that may be used to operate their fans. For nonelectronic type fans, variable rheostats or “dimmer” switches that control the motor speed and light intensity are the most popular.
If you are replacing a standard light fixture with a fan and light that you wish to operate independently of one another (from the current switch location), you will need to add additional wiring from the switch to the electrical light box in the ceiling. Check with an electrician if this is the case.
The nice thing about electronically controlled fans is that the wiring doesn’t have to be changed to have separate controls for the light and fan. Even though these types of fans are more expensive, considering electrical change costs, an electronic fan may be the best bet. If you want to know the truth we prefer the wireless control units. No wiring, no fuss, no bother — and in the long run it’s cheaper.
For tips from James and Morris Carey, go to www.onthehouse.com or call the 24/7 listener hot line, 800-737-2474.
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