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The best way to know what type of airflow a ceiling fan will provide is to stand under it, of course. However, this is not always possible so we have created our Fan Performance Indicator (FPI) rating system to help understand the type of Breeze you can expect under the fan, along with the total volume of air the fan will move at high speed.
The Fan Performance Indicator (FPI) is split into two bars – the blue bar indicates the ceiling fan’s airflow breeze (wind chill) performance on high speed, while the purple bar indicates the ceiling fan’s airflow volume (CM/H) on high speed.
The Airflow Breeze rating goes from Gentle to Fast. A ceiling fan that is more towards the Gentle end will provide gentle, relaxing, and extremely quiet airflow directly below the fan. Conversely, a ceiling fan that is towards the Fast end will provide high-velocity airflow directly below the fan, ideal for very hot and humid climates or if you prefer strong airflow.
The Airflow Volume rating takes the ceiling fan’s Cubic Metre per Hour (CM/H) measurement and normalises the results across our entire range of ceiling fans and based on our industry experience on how much air ceiling fans typically move. A ceiling fan towards the Low end will move less air overall, and would therefore not be recommended for larger spaces but may be perfectly suitable for smaller areas. Conversely, a ceiling fan towards the High end moves a lot of air and will disperse the air over a larger area.
Separately, neither indicator paints the whole picture of your ceiling fan’s performance. Together, though, they can be used to make a much more informed decision without being able to see the fan in operation. Below, we have covered a few different examples to help show different cooling solutions and when they might be recommended.
The above FPI results from our massive 100″ Kirra ceiling fan show a more gentle airflow breeze solution with very high airflow volume. This particular model falls into the High Volume Low Speed (HVLS) genre of ceiling fans. It is designed to move huge volumes of air but at a low velocity. The breeze you would experience directly under the fan would be gentle, however, due to the size of the fan (100 inches), you would enjoy a breeze in a much larger area. This fan would be ideal for very large spaces that could benefit from air circulation – e.g. moving warm air around a space in winter to improve heating, moving air-conditioned air around a large space to improve cooling performance, or keeping the air in a large space fresh. Some applications might be large foyers, restaurants, large high-ceilinged dining areas, large living areas, and so forth.
The above FPI results from our 52″ Modn-3 ceiling fan show a midrange model in terms of breeze and airflow volume. This type of model would suit smaller enclosed spaces (e.g. bedrooms) if you like a gentle breeze while you sleep, or any space where you want a breeze but don’t enjoy extremely strong airflow. It may suit dining areas and lounge areas where a gentle breeze is desired, without disturbing the conversation or table settings.
The above FPI results from our 60″ Spitfire ceiling fan show a ceiling fan that will provide moderate airflow directly below and spreading out from the fan. This is because at 60 inches it is an above-average size ceiling fan that will therefore disperse air over a larger area. Great for master bedrooms, larger living and dining areas where solid airflow is desired while being whisper-quiet.
Finally, the above FPI results for the 56″ Delta DC ceiling fan show a high-performance solution that will provide a strong breeze directly below the fan while also providing good overall airflow volume for your space.
The first fans kept the sultans of 17th century India cool. These hand operated fans were made of palm fronds or cloth and operated by servants. It wasn’t until 1886 when the first motor operated fans were invented.
These days, homeowners have countless options from the size to the build material to the features included. It’s almost overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for in a ceiling fan.
If you’re looking to buy a ceiling fan, then this guide can help you. Our ceiling fan buying guide will explain everything you need to look for.
The majority of fans produced today are AC. This is alternating current or 240V, which is the standard voltage used in Australian homes. There is a trend of DC fans becoming available. If you install one of these fans in your home, it will convert the standard AC current to DC current.
The advantage of DC is that it’s more efficient than AC. Another difference between the two current types is the reverse features. AC fans can reverse, but it’s a manual switch on the motor, whereas DC fans have an automated reverse on the remote.
There are three categories of fans to choose from, indoor, indoor/outdoor, and outdoor. The type you choose will depend on where you plan to hang your fan. The key difference between the different types is the fan’s IP Rating.
Unless you’re buying a fan for your bathroom, you don’t have to worry about moisture when choosing an indoor fan. There’s a common misconception that outdoor fans are built better and will last longer, but this isn’t true. You can buy an indoor fan for your home and have it last for years.
Not all living environments are built the same, and if you have higher humidity, then you’ll want to buy an indoor/outdoor fan. This is typically the case when you live near the water. You should also use these fans in your bathroom, kitchen, or covered patio.
Outdoor fans are exposed to heat, cold, inclement weather, and humidity. Even though the motor is under a cover, the fan needs to have a UL rating for damp or wet locations. This means that the unit is sealed to prevent moisture from coming into contact with the electrical components.
How do you know what size ceiling fan to buy? You need to know how to measure the size of your room to determine the ideal fan blade measurement. Then you need to understand how ceiling fan size measurements are expressed.
Blade Size
Room Type
Up to 42”
Laundry, Hallway
42” - 48”
Office, Study, Small Bedroom
48”- 52”
Bedroom, Kitchen, Office
52”- 56”
Large Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room
56” & Larger
Large Living Spaces
Measure the length and width of your room to determine how many square metres the space is. This will tell you the amount of space that you need to cool.
If your room is very large or long, then you may find that it’s better to put two ceiling fans instead of one. The two fans you’ll use are smaller, more efficient, and more affordable than trying to mount one large fan in the middle.
Now that you know what size fan you need; how do you measure the size of a ceiling fan? Fans are measured not by the individual blade length but by their full blade span. This is called the blade sweep.
Imagine drawing a circle around the outside edge of the fan intersecting with each fan blade tip. Then measure the diameter of the circle. This is the fan sweep size.
If your fan has an even number of blades, then you can measure from the tip of one blade directly across to the tip of the opposite blade. If your fan has an odd number, then you’ll measure from the tip of one blade to the centre of the fan and multiply the measurement by two.
Fan blades are made out of a wide variety of materials for you to choose from. These will change the look and style of your fan. You should also consider the material when buying a ceiling fan for outside use, as some materials are better suited for outside than others.
Wood and fabric fan blades are susceptible to moisture and can decay or rot when mounted outside. Metal can rust unless it’s a durable one, such as stainless steel or aluminium that won’t rust.
The blade pitch is the angle at which the blades are mounted to the body of the fan. If the pitch is high, then the blades have a harsher slant and move efficiently. The ideal pitch is between 12 and 15 degrees. You shouldn’t buy a fan where the blades are perfectly flat, as these will only slice through the air and not actually move it.
The number of blades your fan has is less important to its function than the pitch, balance, and motor. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing how many blades your fan will have. You’ll find fans with anywhere from two to eight blades.
The fewer blades the fan has, the less drag there is on the motor. This means fewer blades can go faster and move more air efficiently. This creates a better wind chill effect and makes the space feel cooler.
The mounting method you choose for your fan will depend on the height and slope of your ceiling. If you have a flat and low ceiling, then a flush, close, or hugger mounted ceiling fan is the best option. This will remove the downrod and place the body of the fan directly against the ceiling.
If your ceiling is high enough to accommodate a standard mount, then your fan will have a short downrod that positions the body of the fan slightly away from the ceiling. For high ceilings, you can replace the standard downrod with an extended one. This brings the ceiling fan lower to circulate the air in the space better.
Another consideration is sloped ceilings, as they require a special mount to accommodate the slant. There’s a ball joint style of mount that allows the fan to hang straight down.
Now that you know you’ll need a downrod, the next natural question to ask is, what size ceiling fan downrod do I need? You don’t want a downrod that’s too long, because this will put your ceiling fan too low and be potentially dangerous. As a general rule, your fan should be at least 2100mm above the floor.
The below list is a general guide to see what size ceiling fan downrod you need.
Ceiling Height
Downrod Size
Under 3 Metres
None (flush mount)
3 Metres
30cm - 90cm
6 Metres
90cm - 120cm
9 Metres
120cm - 180cm
12 Metres
180cm+
Choose a ceiling fan with controls that makes sense for your room. If you have a high vaulted ceiling, it doesn’t make sense to choose a fan with pull chains. You’ll either need a ladder to reach them or have incredibly long chains hanging in the middle of your room.
Additionally, consider the ease of the controls. You want a fan that you and your family can easily use.
This is the traditional method for fan control. The fan will have a single chain, or two if it has a light. You’ll pull one chain to turn the fan on and off and adjust the speed.
Then pull the other chain to turn the included light on and off. This is a simple and easy to figure out system for your fan. However, it can be frustrating when you try to get the right fan speed by only pulling a chain.
Many modern fans come with a remote control to operate the fan. This is convenient and simple to use from anywhere that’s within range of the transmitter within the fan. The remote will have on/off, speed, and light controls.
This setup is ideal for a large room, those with high ceilings, or multiple fans in one room.
If your room is already wired for it, you can control your fan with a wall switch. You’ll then turn the fan on and off by flipping the switch on the wall. This may require professional installation.
You’ll also want to consider replacing the standard wall switch with something more customisable. Some fans even come with their own wall control plate. This gives you greater control over the fan’s functions.
The style of fan you choose is totally dependent on your personal tastes and the interior design approach you’ve taken in the room. If you have a home on the coast, then you might have a coastal décor theme, and you’ll want a fan to match. A rustic cottage will look best with a similarly styled fan.
There are several styles for you to choose from; one isn’t inherently better than the other. The best one is the one that looks best in your home.
The finish of your ceiling fans will depend on the style you choose and what will match the rest of the room’s décor. Some finishes are more popular with certain styles, such as oil rubbed bronze is a more traditional finish with classically fan styles. You’ll find brushed nickel or aluminium are popular modern style finishes.
Having a light built into your ceiling fan is a convenient way to add bright ambient light to your room. If you think you may want a ceiling fan with light, look for one that either comes with the light or is compatible with a light install later. There are two types of light bulbs your fan could have, LED or Fluorescent and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).
View our ceiling fans with lights collection.
These are the bulbs of the future as they are energy efficient, long-lasting, low profile, and come in a wide variety of colours. This gives you more options when choosing the perfect LED ceiling fan for your space.
While these bulbs are energy-friendly, they aren’t quite as efficient as LEDs. They also aren’t as long-lasting or low profile. However, they are still a smart option and can provide a variety of light temperatures.
While you cannot currently purchase ceiling fans with UV lights, this may become a feature of the future. Scientists are currently testing ceiling fans with UV lights as an effective way of removing airborne pathogens.
The temperature of the light is the hue that it emits. A cooler light will have more of a blue or even slightly purple tinge to it. Neutral light is a pure bright white light, and warmer lights are more yellow in their hue.
Warm lighting works well in your outdoor areas, bedrooms, living room, and dining room. Cool lighting works best in your kitchen, bathroom, and garage.
For a quick clean, a rag or feather duster if perfect. If, however, a heavy amount of dust has been accumulated during the winter months, simply spray the inside of a pillowcase with furniture cleaning spray and slip the pillowcase over the fan blade. Then slide the pillow case back off to remove stubborn dust. Just be sure to check the furniture cleaning spray and make sure it won’t damage the finish of the fan.
Ceiling fans with lights have many screws holding them in place so once the warmer months begin, it may be best to double check the light screws are fixed, so the fan doesn’t become a safety hazard.
After reading through this ceiling fan buying guide, you should have a clear understanding of how to go about buying a ceiling fan for your home. The first place to start is measuring your room to determine the size of the fan that you need. Then you can decide how you want to operate it, the style, and if it should have a light.
Browse our ceiling fans online to find the perfect one for your home.
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