what are your thoughts on ceiling fans? we are undecided what to do?

5 years ago

Doing a full house Reno and undecided what to do. Electrician was at the house and was putting junction boxes up. Looking for suggestions.

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Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

5 years ago

I love ceiling fans (not with lights attached), and have them in all the bedrooms, the family room, sun porch and kitchen. The only rooms without them are the dining room and the living room. They make heating and cooling more efficient, as they circulate the air better than rooms with no fans. And there are so many great styles and choices, I'm sure you can find something attractive that fits with your decor.

Comments (47)

remodeling1840
5 years ago
I can’t use them. The air flow disturbs my allergies and I sneeze-a lot. Sleeping under a fan, my father got Bell’s palsy according to his doctor. However, some members of my family prefer to sleep with the cooling effects of a ceiling fan, so we installed them in those bedrooms. Before someone pops in to say I don’t understand hot climates, I lived in south Florida for many years. I do know fans are useful on porches to repel flying insects. Have the electrician wire for fans in every room, but decide on a room by room basis after you move. It’s not expensive to have the electrician return and install fans.
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First off, thanks to all who have commented. Chisue--to answer some of your concerns. My husband's job is VERY secure--bill collector for the local utility company. More work than ever these days. He's been eligible for retirement for the past 3 years--he can retire any time, with no notice. Also, his pension is secure. Because he's already retirement-eligible, even if he were to get laid off, he'd be able to collect his pension. He won't be commuting over an extended period of time. That's one of the big points for keeping both homes for a year or 2. We'll live mostly in the 'old' home (walking distance from his job), with me going back and forth a few times a week, and we'll head to the 'new' home on the weekends. At most, Dh will only be commuting a month or 2 or so. As to the market--prices in our town are STILL going up, not down. There are very few homes for sale in my neighborhood, because it's extremely desireable and even in this climate, they're selling and quickly. House behind me just sold in 8 days, and they had several buyers bidding on it--got what they wanted, no problem. Of course, no one can predict the future, but traditionally, even in rough real estate times, my neighborhood has held it's value and been one where homes sold quickly and easily. Another good point. I'm not sure where your assessing the house we're looking at as 'large'. It's smaller than the one we have now. First floor only has: small living room, no dining room, small laundry, decent kitchen, 2 smallish bedrooms and one that's too small to really use as a bedroom, so it will be my craft/computer room and an adequate, but by no means large bathroom. Only reason this house sounded large was that the basement is totally finished and has another bedroom, a large family room and a small office--which really looks more like a closet to me. someone else commented they hope there's a bedroom on the first floor. Yes, it's a rancher and everything necessary is on the first floor. Basement will be a nice 'extra'--and will be a great place to entertain when the whole family is over. Now, the update: We have gone back and forth over the numbers and find that there is a way we can buy this house fairly comfortably. Of course, we'll be cutting back a little--but that seems a worthwhile sacrifice. We returned for a second look Thursday evening. Were just as entranced as the first time, even with the few (very few) flaws we found. Friday morning THEIR agent called chomping at the bit, to see if we were making an offer (think they're anxious?). By mid-afternoon,we did submit an offer. And by Friday evening, I'd gotten a pre-approval for the mortgage from our bank, even though the property is a little out of their usual geographical area. Basically, if this goes through, for the next year or 2, we'll have a year-round-home and a vacation place. Not really that unusual. Lots of people do. When I was growing up, everyone had a summer home 'down the shore' My sister still has vacation house we had when we were kids (and talk about a BIG house...)
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we are pretty set (99%) are getting the fans. however, getting them wired if we weren't to get them is a great idea! jennybc: the 2 rooms are going to be guest/computer style rooms. we have no kids and don't plan on having any. if we do, it will be just one. the upstairs calls for 8 foot ceilings with a vaulted ceiling in every bedroom. we are doing an angled tray in the master and still unsure about the other 2 bedrooms...either vault or leave at 8'. edit: also, we were thinking....in the great room with those 3 or 4 windows, what if you do those windows as a casement style? would that work? we're trying to get the same look of the fixed window in the rear of the house. i don't know much about casement windows and how much more they would be compared to double-hungs. the window is about 3x6/7 and then another square window above it (not sure how big that one is right now, maybe 3x2). i'm not sure if the casements are even made in that size. This post was edited by stblgt on Thu, Sep 12, 13 at 9:40
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Rachel Lee
5 years ago
Ceiling fans are functional for circulating heated or cooled air. If the ceilings are high, or an area is subject to temperature variations, they can make the space much more comfort. Find a fan that works with your overall look and move on.
Judy Mishkin
5 years ago
i like fans in bedrooms but i find them both less functional and less appealing in high ceilinged 'public' rooms, and would perfer a chandelier or other light fixture there. cooling season is only 4 months long, so i use a tower fan in the corner for those rooms. they are silent and unobtrusive.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
We bought Dyson fans for our bedrooms and so much nicer and quiter than a ceiling fan. I think it depends on how high your ceilings are wether you need a ceiling fan or not in a LR never in a DR or kitchen IMO .
tartanmeup
5 years ago
When we were thinking of replacing our entry fan, the manager at the local lighting place told us fans with three blades are more efficient than ones with five blades. He said he had the data to back it up. (Didn't pursue it because we put that decision on hold but if true it makes fans more appealing to me.)
Mona
5 years ago
We put them in all of our bedrooms years ago. It allows us to use the AC less in the summer which makes me happy since AC makes my throat dry.
angieclupp
5 years ago
Don't get fans with small blades. Go as big as aesthetics will permit. The large blades will work well at slower speeds.
vinmarks
5 years ago
We have ceiling fans in all bedrooms, exercise area, office, screened in porches, covered deck and great room. We use them all the time. We use the great room fans on reverse in the winter to help bring the warm air down from the high ceiling.
stumpydarby
5 years ago
I love ceiling fans. I have very bad allergies and they don’t bother me. (I have a super duper allergy filters. I just need to clean the blades every now and then.) I live in Florida and they are a life saver.

I absolutely would have the electrician wire for them.

Side note … I like fans with lights.
groveraxle
5 years ago
They’re sort of like toilets: not particularly attractive, but necessary (depending on where you live).
User
5 years ago
Where are you? I think I had them on a couple times last summer in the PNW. I might take a couple of them down before I sell this house.
sherryeich
5 years ago
Someone mentioned the noise associated with ceiling fans. I’ll pass on some advice from an electrician. He said Hunter fans are the brand he knows of that don’t make any noise. It’s so annoying when they hum! I’ve also learned to check the light fixtures if they develop a noise. A loose light fixture will cause a very annoying sound.
M Miller
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The answer to the OP’s question depends on location/climate and how high her ceilings are. She has not provided that info. Without it, answers to whether she should have ceiling fans will be yes, no, and sometimes.
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
5 years ago
Many folks would never put in a ceiling fan just because of aesthetics, but I find them so practical, reducing cooling costs, that I wouldn't go without. I have them in the bedrooms and the family room.

Sleeping under a fan will not cause Bell's Palsy. That comes from swelling or other compression of a facial nerve, most likely after a viral infection. A breeze from a fan can't cause that.
leelee
5 years ago
A good night's sleep trumps aesthetics but I don't think they look bad at all. Don't get the kind with frilly light fixtures. Just a simple fan. They're addictive.

I would look for a new doctor after being told that sleeping under a fan was the cause of BP.
chiflipper
5 years ago
Just make sure that you can get the damn things "serviced" when needed. (Yes, they occasionally need to be re-balanced). And remember, someone is going to have to clean the blades, usually on a ladder.
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
I don't like them above food prep areas or in the dining room. Seems they'd blow dust on the food, IMO. They are really handy to move air in all seasons. Reverse the direction of the blades to pull hot air down or cool air up. Knowing how to adjust them for the season will help with utility bills. Some can be quite attractive, but if you prefer a chandelier; check out some floor models, especially if you use one in the bedroom for "white noise" or to cool one occupant of the bed and not the other one.
Maria Julio
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you everyone for your responses. I am located in New Jersey. Per our plans we are Going to put fans in kids room with a light bc we’re not recessing lights in their room, the rest of the house has reassessed lighting. Fan in fireplace room, living room, master bedroom, and the Den (family/kids area vaulted ceiling roughly 12 feet. Rest of the house has standard 8 foot ceilings.
grewa002
5 years ago
We have a fan in our bedrooms in Massachusetts, and thanks to them we do not use the AC more than a few days a year
blubird
5 years ago
I live in central NJ and have fans in every bedroom. The master bedroom fan is on a low speed 24/7, and has been running continuously for over 30+ years. I stop it only to vacuum the blades. It was purchased in Macy's when ceiling fans first became a thing and it’s a no name whatever. The fans in the other bedrooms are equally as old, but they are generally off unless someone is sleeping in them. It makes our central air and heat much more comfortable by evenly distributing the room air. So I vote yes to fans in the bedrooms
chisue
5 years ago
Ceiling fans on an 8' ceiling are difficult. Rooms don't *require* overhead lighting, much less ceiling fans -- unless you have inadequate wall outlets.

We have and use ceiling fans on Maui. We have one ceiling fan in our MBR (9' ceilings) near Chicago -- seldom, seldom use it. We have excellent two-stage furnaces with flow-through humidifiers, Aprilaire filters, and dual-season air returns for the floor supply HVAC.

One more thing to buy, clean, repair.
kariered
5 years ago
I live in Texas and love my ceiling fans. However, they do not belong in the kitchen, IMO. The kind with the simple looking lights are great. We have them in every bedroom and in our living room, otherwise we would probably die of heatstroke. I have a tall duster brush that I use to clean them every other month.
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Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
Unless one has allergies which are aggravated by ceiling fans, the fans can be a great boon for comfort and energy savings, especially for those who live in zones where the cooling days greatly outnumber the heating days. There is a great range of choice as to size, style and finish. I love my fans in the Texas Hill Country.
cpaul1
5 years ago
It depends on the situation of course. But assuming they're needed due to climate, I would put them in all of the bedrooms, the family room, and on the backyard patio. I would never put one in a kitchen, a living room, or a dining room. And there's a good argument for not putting one in a master bed room in favor of a chandelier.
grewa002
5 years ago
Cpaul1, have you seen those chandeliers with folding fan blades? They look good, at east in pictures. Although personally, I woukd rather go with function over beauty in the bedroom
suezbell
5 years ago
Like them, including w/unobtrusive light(s) attached -- but still want lamps in the living room.

Choose the fan design that works with your taste in furnishings.
suezbell
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Note: a ceiling fan requires a stronger box than a basic plastic one intended for a lightweight overhead light ... but you could use the stronger box for either.

Where you are even considering ceiling fans -- living room, center of dining room, center of bedroom -- do use the boxes you'd need if you decide on the ceiling fan(s).
User
5 years ago
Cooks Kitchen: Here's the inspiration photo for your kitchen fan:

NYC Subway Car:
Suru
5 years ago
Another vote for fans. I personally do not think they are unattractive. I found some really beautiful ones for my living room with lights attached. They are nice to have in the summer months.
Shannon_WI
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I had a ceilnfg fan in the bedroom once, and never used it. I didn’t like the whirring sound or the air-tickling feeling while I tried to sleep, even at the lowest setting. I am in a colder climate, and IMHO a ceiling fan in a colder climate is best used in a non-bedroom room with ceilings of 10’or more to help circulate air in both winter and summer. Using it in reverse in winter in a room with high ceilings is very effective.
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Anglophilia
5 years ago
Am I the only one who finds keeping these things clean a royal pain? We put one in the kitchen - it became a pet hair magnet. Best thing I ever did was remove that awful thing and install pot lights instead. I do have one on my sun porch, but even there, it gets really dirty and attracts pet hair (dogs are only there perhaps for 10 minutes every few days or so - otherwise, not allowed in that part of the house).

I don't like anything that requires constant cleaning other than a sink or a kitchen counter.
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
No, I think keeping them clean is pretty easy -- I just vacuum them with my bare floor attachment when I vacuum the room (along with vacuuming the plantation blinds and baseboards). No climbing required until I do my twice yearly deep cleaning.

My ceilings are all 8 foot and no problem with the fans, they work well. "Low profile" units work best, and the blades need to be properly sized for the room.
Susan Davis
5 years ago
I like simple fans, same color as ceiling, and no down light, and big....they can make the room......
Anne Duke
5 years ago
I couldn’t live in SoCal without fans. No lights though. My house is a dust magnet, every surface needs dusting weekly. No biggie.
David Cary
5 years ago
This thread is looking like a poll...

No down lights

Not in kitchen - that is where cleaning is worse

Always in bedrooms

8 foot ceiling - no problem but best in a bedroom. (I am 6'1")

Most rooms are best lit with lamps/sunlight, not overhead lights.

Dust - remember most of the mass is human skin. If you have a lot - more moisturizer? Never felt they needed cleaning more than monthly and usually not that often.
shead
5 years ago
We can't sleep without our fan on. I think they are essential in bedrooms but not so much in public rooms. DH insisted on one in our last family room instead of a nice chandelier (it had a cathedral ceiling) and we never used the fan at all in there, only in our bedrooms when we slept. My girls have bunkbeds so a fan is essential in their room because the top bunker gets HOT ;)
Helen
5 years ago
They are functional of course but not aesthetic as there is no comparison between even the most "elegant" ceiling fan and a chandelier or other ceiling lighting fixture aesthetically.

I might have them on a verandah or three season porch or a family room with a very casual vibe or outdoor vibe but I would never juxtapose with furniture I have selected for a living room or master bedroom because it would clash with the design vision in those rooms - my ceiling fixtures were carefully chosen to add to the decor of the room.

If I needed some kind of ventilation apart from my A/C or open windows, I would probably get one of those very sleek well reviewed Dyson fans which are unobtrusive and which could be stowed away when not necessary. I have a very slim tower fan which I have used for this purpose when I wanted to augment the circulation in my master bedroom but I stash it away except for those relatively infrequent occasions when I need to supplement the A/C or just open windows isn't enough.

And I used to love lying in bed with the old fashioned window fan that brought in the wonderful night air.
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Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
Oh...I don't know...I haven't found a chandelier yet that helps with ventilation.
Helen
5 years ago
@Virgil - I realize you are being tongue in cheek but I am willing to sacrifice the benefits of a ceiling fan for aesthetics in rooms in which I have devoted a lot of time and money to achieve a certain look.

In my opinion, there is no ceiling fan that is as aesthetically pleasing as what I can get in a chandelier or other fixture which I have selected from the universe of possibilities. My bedroom chandelier is an original gas light fixture which dates back to the late 19th century and which was wired for electricity at some point. I love looking at it and how it works with the other decorative elements in my bedroom - I have never seen a ceiling fan which would provide me with that degree of aesthetic pleasure :-).

It's obviously a balance but I tipped the balance for aesthetics in certain rooms as I don't want to see a ceiling fan in those rooms. As per my original post, there are ways to achieve ventilation on a temporary basis because most people don't have their ceiling fans going 24/7 365 days a year.
vinmarks
5 years ago
Function over form here. We do actually run many of our ceiling fans everyday. I have yet to see a stand alone fan that is unobtrusive and wouldn't want to be dragging one in and out of a closet.
Helen
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Dyson tower fans are pretty cool as a design element. They also have table top models which would work to move air without being committed to a ceiling fan.

But it's obviously a personal choice - I don't particularly need the functionality of a ceiling fan so I top the scale in terms of aesthetics. IMO there is no ceiling fan that is as aesthetically pleasing as a well designed chandelier or other light fixture.

Dyson Fans
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Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
I know, I know...I'm all for aesthetics and for function. We all have our preferences. It's all good! But a little fun never hurt...! :-)
dadoes
5 years ago
"Helen: ... most people don't have their ceiling fans going 24/7 365 days a year."

My family room/living room fan runs continuously unless I'm going to be away for a couple/few days.

I grew up with window units so must have some air movement and background noise for sleeping. Ceiling fan in warmer/summer season, a Vornado space heater (which can also run in fan-mode without heating) during cooler/winter season.

My current house has six ceiling fans: 3 bedrooms, family/living room, office room, and master bathroom. Oops, make that seven ... one on the patio.
ILoveRed
5 years ago
Love my ceiling fans. We have them almost everywhere. Simple white Minka fans that blend into the ceilings.

Two of my smartest decisions...putting a ceiling fan in my master bath (I’m always hot after showering) and one in my laundry room to help dry hanging clothes and create a breeze while I’m working. Found a Minka in Polished Nickel for my bathroom, lol.
suezbell
5 years ago
A kitchen is the worst possible place for a ceiling fan -- difficult to keep clean if you ever fry anything.

Not sure I'd want one running over my dining table while eating; however, IF you use your dining table for purposes other than dining -- family or hobby activities -- then a ceiling fan can be a great idea.
Sam Goh
5 years ago
We went cheap on the last house and didn't do many ceiling fans or block for them. The rooms that we had to retrofit ended up being pretty expensive because house was fully finished. This time around, building in the deep south, we may have went overboard, I think we have ceiling fans anywhere they'd fit - about 25 or so. There's only one area in the house that we went aesthetics over function.

The latest trend is "smart" everything. The GE z-wave fan switches were on a really good sale this last week, and the bond control unit is snazzy too (and works with the less common but more efficient DC motor fans). Have some fan - I mean fun :)

what are your thoughts on ceiling fans? we are undecided what to do?

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