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recessed lighting and ceiling fan question

17 years ago

I have not seen this addressed before so I though I'd ask. I want recessed lighting throughout the house. Because I live in the south, I also want ceiling fans in the kitchen, diningroom and livingroom. Will the light from the can lights be distorted or look "flickery" as it passes by the rotating blades of the fans? The lights will all be on a vaulted ceiling, if that makes any difference. Thanks.

Cindy

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Comments (5)

Jon1270
17 years ago
You'll need to be careful not to install cans too close to the fans, especially if the fans hang far below the ceiling. In other words, it could be a problem but doesn't have to be.
ccoombs1
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks jon. Designing this lighting going to confuse me I think. LOL! I have that Whitehead book on order but it hasn't arrived yet. I guess the ceiling fans have the potential to make things more difficult for me.
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You can get a battery operated puck light, and hold it up to position to see if you get any interference from the blades. If you keep a distance away, I'm sure it will work with the fans. Or, get a light kit for the fan. I would try to solve your lighting needs with portable table and floor lamps first, especially in the bedrooms and living room. Just using overhead lighting from recessed cans is not good lighting design - it's not very flattering and looks more institutional.
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I see. I also forgot to mention that in this room there's a cathedral ceiling, so if I had a ceiling fan it would be hanging pretty low and the recessed lights would still be all the way up in the cathedral ceiling, so it's not like i can easily isolate the fan away from the recessed lights. I wonder if I should either forego the ceiling fan, or use the lights from the ceiling fan as the primary overhead light and then use wall sconces instead of overhead recessed lighting to fill in any additional lighting requirements for the room... As you may be able to tell I'm not a lighting expert and I'm guessing it's showing through pretty clearly from my questions.
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Jon1270
17 years ago
Lighting was the most unexpectedly tricky part of my remodel, which is probably why it's turned into a hobby. While you wait, I suggest you peruse these resources...

Here is a link that might be useful: Lighting Design Lab articles
ilitem
17 years ago
May times when someone wants to use ceiling fans, the recessed lighting is placed around the perimeter of the room. It can get tricky with the ceiling fans. I've seen where a fan was installed too close to the recessed cans and the flickering drove me nuts.

If you want a quicker answer than waiting for the lighting book that you ordered, you may want to go to a lighting showroom and speak with someone there. They should be able to give you several suggestions.

In the dining room, are you going to put a light kit on the fan to illuminate the table? If so, you won't need to have recessed cans close to it. The cans can be placed around the perimeter and you will be surprised at the amount of light that reflects back into the room.

If the kitchen fan is going to be over the eat-in area, the same question applies. Will you have a light kit?

With vaulted ceilings my main concern is where is the ceiling fan outlet going to be located. If it is not centered in the room, you are going to have to know the pitch so that you get the right fan and the right length of rod so that the blades don't hit anything.
ccoombs1
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for all the input. My new book came yesterday and I have started skimming through it. I am already re-thinking my plan. I think I'll eliminate the kitchen and diningroom fans and just keep the livingroom one. Not real sure where it will be placed yet, but it may be lighted. I am thinking about 3 pendant lights in the kitchen along the centerline and also recessed and undercabinet light. I may use some wall sconces for ambient lighting in the livingroom and dining room since the ceilings are vaulted. SO much to learn and figure out!! I will go and visit my local lighting place too and see if they can come up with some good ideas too.

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