Category: Kitchen

Ceiling fans may be going out of style for some, but that might be because those folks haven’t seen the modern design options that are available today. Many great fans are fusing modern functionality with old-school looks. One of the best examples of this fashionable fusion is the Harbor Breeze Merrimack Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan.

It provides a rustic charm with its first impression thanks to its ribbed blades and lantern-like light fixture. A java finish provides a look that is humble and approachable for almost any interior design. It also features LED lighting and a quiet motor technology that makes you forget it is present in the room, even when operating at its highest speed setting.

Here are some more key points to look at with this ceiling fan by Harbor Breeze.

• It offers a 3-speed AC motor that is reversible. At its highest setting, the fan offers a CFM rating of 5188. This gives it an airflow efficiency rating of 89, making it an excellent option for those looking for an energy efficient ceiling fan.
• The blades of this ceiling fan are weatherproof, making it possible to have a full outdoor installation. The fixtures are an antique bronze finish to complement the java look, creating a stunning ceiling fan that becomes a conversation piece.
• The light kit offers a clear seeded glass shade, offered in a lantern-esque globe style, with metal support brackets surrounding it to finish off the brilliant look of the fan.

The maintenance and cleaning chores for this ceiling fan is super simple. You just wipe it down with a wet cloth and let it air dry. A light polish really enhances the finish as well.

What to Expect with the Harbor Breeze Merrimack

The Merrimack comes with a 6-inch down rod in the box. There are compatible down rods that can be purchased that go up to 48 inches in length. Once you go beyond 24 inches, however, the 6-inch intervals go away, so taller ceilings can be somewhat difficult to manage for some homeowners.

Even though this ceiling fan is rated for indoor and outdoor use, we found that precipitation contact with the fan is a bad thing. The Merrimack can handle an environment that is humid, but direct rain or snow contact will likely ruin the fan.

As we began the installation of this ceiling fan, we noticed that there is no option for separate fan and light wiring. You have to wire the entire assembly into your switch, which means there isn’t a dimmable option with this ceiling fan.

There was a little noise experienced at the highest setting, but nothing that was extremely bothersome. No humming came from the fan. The airflow that can be achieved is impressive. There is also a remote option to use, which we found to be quite useful.

The Harbor Breeze Merrimack Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan is a solid option in a crowded category. Although it isn’t really a wet-rated fan, it is equivalent to a damp-rated fan and that allows it to have plenty of potential for almost any home.

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Ceiling fans can be a wonderful cooling option, but sometimes they take their job a little too seriously. How many times have you stood under a ceiling fan at its highest setting and felt like you were hearing the approach of a jet? The Hunter Fan Company Builder Elite Ceiling Fan will provide you with one of the quietest ownership experiences in our industry today.

With its WhisperWind technology, the motor of this ceiling fan is designed to move air powerfully without the high decibel output like other ceiling fans tend to offer. You receive quiet cooling power, whenever you want it, without needing a set of earplugs.

There are some key feature points to look at with this ceiling fan from Hunter Fan Company.

• It features a reversible motor so you can experience warming benefits in the winter, along with the cooling benefits needed in the summer.
• This ceiling fan is damp-rated, so it is suitable for installation with a sunroom, a covered 4-seasons porch, and certain patios.
• A 3-position mounting system is included in the box, allowing you to install this ceiling fan with a low mounting, an angled mounting, or a standard installation.
• The blades are given a veneer to create a specific look. 5 different finishes are currently available with the Builder Elite collection.

For the purpose of this review, we were given the opportunity to look at the bronze finish, distressed oak ceiling fan.

What to Know About the Builder Elite Ceiling Fan

This is one of the few ceiling fans in this category that comes with a limited lifetime motor warranty.

We did discover that the pull chain on this ceiling fan is a little sensitive compared to other models. If you yank on it a little too hard, you may find that the toggle doesn’t activate. It can also be very touchy about the speed setting and even toggle itself on its own if there is enough wobble or vibration in the fan.

The ceiling fan itself was pretty easy to install. Be careful with the screws that are part of the installation process. Catch one just right and it will bend on you. Replacements are easy enough to get, but a careful and planned installation process can eliminate this issue. Set out everything to ensure you’ve got what you need before beginning as well.

A common complaint with this model is that the fastest fan speed on the Builder Elite is slower than what is expected or wanted. Although we did feel like the speed is lower compared to other outdoor-rated ceiling fans, the air movement that is provided is still comparable.

Overall, we found the Hunter Fan Company Builder Elite Ceiling Fan to be an excellent mid-range product in this category that works hard to make sure you’re satisfied. Available with or without a light kit, depending on your preferences, this fan would make an excellent addition to almost any room. Give it a look and we think you’ll be just as pleased with it as we were.

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A ceiling fan for the bedroom should meet three specific requirements. It must look fantastic, operate quietly, and provide enough light so that additional lamps aren’t required. The Hampton Bay Brushed Nickel Hugger Ceiling Fan meets every requirement with a price that is surprisingly affordable. It also offers one of the easiest installation processes to follow in its category.

Here are some of the key features to consider if you’re looking at this ceiling fan by Hampton Bay.

• The blades on this ceiling fan are reversible, giving you the option to have warming or cooling effects. Each side offers a different finish as well. There is a walnut veneer finish on one side and a maple veneer finish on the other side of the blade.
• The light kit that is provided uses an integrated frosted opal glass bowl to create consistent lighting effects throughout the room.
• Three different speed settings are available with the motor, which is controlled by a toggle switch on the fan. You integrate the power controls to a single switch. Reversible rotation is also possible with this ceiling fan.

Although this ceiling fan is 52 inches, it has been rated to work in rooms up to 400 square feet in size. The amount of airflow achieved by this ceiling fan is quite remarkable.

Observations of the Hampton Bay Hugger Ceiling Fan

What we found to be the best feature of this ceiling fan is the consistency of the airflow. Even with its hugger design, you can have this fan over your bed and not feel like you’re getting “pulses” of breeze. It’s a nice, consistent level of air movement that is achieved with this 5-blade design.

The total height from the canopy to the bottom of the light fixture is just under 12 inches with its flush-mount design. That makes it a suitable option for bedroom ceilings that are between 8 and 8.5 feet high. It’s one of the few ceiling fans with a hugger design that is approved for 8-foot ceilings.

Once installed, the ceiling fan looks great and the performance is consistent over time. We did find that if you run the ceiling fan on the lowest setting consistently that it can develop a slight hum over time. We would recommend using a faster speed or varying your fan speeds to prevent this issue from occurring.

We also noticed a “finishing” odor from this fan when opening the box for the first time. Sort of like the “new car smell,” but for a ceiling fan. For a small bedroom, the odor was quite powerful. We left the ceiling fan out in an open space (otherwise known as the garage) for 48 hours before completing the installation and that resolved the odor issue.

Spend extra time balancing the fan to prevent vibration and extra humming.

The Hampton Bay Brushed Nickel Hugger Ceiling Fan is a surprisingly good value. Grab it today if you’re looking for something that looks great, but won’t break your budget.

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The problem with flush-mount or hugger ceiling fans is that they either struggle to provide consistent airflow or they offer high levels of noise pollution. Having a powerful motor that close to the ceiling does provide some design difficulties. The Hunter Fan Company Anslee Low Profile Ceiling Fan seems to have solved this riddle.

That is because the manufacturer has equipped this ceiling fan with the same WhisperWind motor that is in other fan collections intended for larger rooms. When incorporated into this 46-inch hugger design, the results are profound. You have consistent and beneficial airflow at even the lowest setting.

Here are the key features to look at if you’re thinking about a smaller hugger ceiling fan like this one from the Hunter Fan Company.

• The motor on this ceiling fan is reversible, allowing homeowners to receive the same benefits for warming in winter as they do in cooling benefits for the summer.
• The light kit for this ceiling fan is integrated, with a cased white glass globe extending beneath the fan. You receive two 14w CFL bulbs in the box.
• This ceiling fan is one of the few huggers that is backed by a limited lifetime warranty on the motor. You will notice that there is a lack of heat associated with this motor compared to huggers produced by other manufacturers.
• Pull-chain toggles control speed adjustments and the light, with the fan and light being wired into the same switch.

Three different finishes are available with the Anslee. For this review, we took a look at the 5-blade matte silver finish. “Fresh White” and “Premier Bronze” are also available.

Observations of the Anslee Ceiling Fan

On its highest setting, the Anslee is able to achieve a CFM rating of 3954. The blades are technically reversible, but we felt that following the standard installation instructions provided the best results for using this fan.

You will want to take your time with the installation process for this fan. The blades meet their mounts at a slight angle, which can make it a challenge to install them. It took us a good couple of hours to get through the process, which is about double the time it takes for most ceiling fans that we look at.

It is also important to note that once the installation is complete, there is an 8-inch gap between the ceiling and the trim ring of the ceiling fan. That is why it is described as a “low profile” ceiling fan instead of a true flush-mount design. If your ceiling is low enough that a flush-mount is the only way to go, then you’ll need an alternative ceiling fan.

The Hunter Fan Company Anslee Low Profile Ceiling Fan may not be a “true” hugger, but it does provide an excellent level of consistency with its performance. If you can power through the installation process, then the look and levels of airflow that you’ll achieve in your bedroom or any other room will make you feel like it was worth the investment.

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Bedrooms come in many different shapes and sizes. Just because you have a small bedroom doesn’t mean that you can’t have a ceiling fan installed. The Hardware House Arcadia 30-inch Flush Mount Ceiling Fan is the perfect option for a bedroom under 100 square feet in size. It’s priced right so that it can be a ceiling fan for a child’s room or it can be a nice addition to a smaller master bedroom as well.

With its 6-blade design, there is plenty of air movement that comes from this 30-inch fan. Here are some of the key features to take a look at with this ceiling fan from Hardware House.

• There is a 3-speed pull chain control that allows you to customize your air movement experience. The motor is also reversible so you can be more comfortable in your bedroom all year long.
• A cap is included with this ceiling fan, so you can choose to install it with the light kit or have it go without if you need the extra space.
• The base of the ceiling fan has a distinct candelabra shape, which complements most bedroom styles.

There are 4 different finishes that are available with this specific model. For the purpose of this review, we took a look at the white ceiling fan with bleached oak ceiling fan blades. Black, bronze, and satin nickel finishes are available with this bedroom ceiling fan as well.

Observations of the Hardware House Arcadia

We really appreciated the lightweight design of this smaller ceiling fan. It only weighs a little over 10 pounds, which makes it very easy to install on most electrical boxes.

The light kit does extend a little further down than some might like. If you’re using this in a child’s bedroom and there are bunk beds in a smaller room, you might impact the blades or the light fixture, despite the 30-inch size.

The fan itself is very quiet. You can hear the air movement and there is a bit of a hum as the motor starts up, but otherwise you won’t notice this fan operating. Even in an 80-square-foot bedroom, there is no issue with sleeping. There is a slightly louder hum on the lowest setting that might disturb light sleepers.

The fan is a basic model, so there isn’t separate wiring for a dimmer switch or a remote control for the fan. Installation is fairly simple, though we did need to strip the wires on the model we received and clean out one of the screw holes for mounting one of the blades so it would fit properly.

Good small ceiling fans are difficult to find. The Hardware House Arcadia 30-inch Flush Mount Ceiling Fan does an excellent job for its size and performed consistently for us. We found it to offer an excellent experience and would encourage everyone to give it a closer look to see if it could meet their needs.

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If you have a low ceiling in a room, then a traditional ceiling fan isn’t a good idea. Most ceiling fans have a hanging bracket that keeps the fan about 18-24 inches from the ceiling surface. The math is simple.

An 8-foot ceiling with a ceiling fan that drops down 2 feet means you’ve got 6 feet of clearance. If you’re over 6-foot tall, you’d better duck to avoid having fan blades coming at your eyes!

That’s why the benefits of the best flush-mounted ceiling fans are worth considering if you own a home with low ceilings. You’ll maximize the amount of space you have underneath the fan while minimizing the risks of an unintentional injury.

The only problem is that not every flush-mounted ceiling fan looks good. That often leaves people asking this question: can all ceiling fans be flush-mounted?

It All Depends on the Parts of Your Ceiling Fan

You’ll know if your ceiling fan can be flush-mounted based on the installation instructions that you receive. Some owners attempt to make a ceiling fan be flush-mounted by removing the down rod from the installation. Doing this will often cause the clevis pin to be left loose on the ceiling fan, which puts the fan at-risk of falling.

For a close-to-ceiling mounting, you’ll need to have a mounting bracket that is designed to bear the weight of the ceiling fan without a DIY modification to the installation. You’ll also need to make sure that the motor for the ceiling fan is designed to work in a flush-mount setting.

If the motor is designed to operate with a down rod, there is a good chance that a surface-mount installation will generate too much heat. That could damage the structure of your ceiling, cause the motor to overheat and stop working, or worse – start a fire.

You May Have One Option Still Available to You

In some instances, you may be able to remove the light kit that comes with certain ceiling fan models. This will give you some extra space for the ceiling fan clearance, though it won’t technically “flush-mount” it for you. The disadvantage here is that you’ll now need a lamp in your room for light, which means another added cost.

Not every ceiling fan will let you remove the light kit, however, so you’ll need to look at that as an option while shopping. That’s why looking for a ceiling fan that is specifically designed to be flush-mounted is often to your advantage.

Is a Flush-Mounted Ceiling Fan Right for You?

Many flush-mounted ceiling fans are designed to move the same amount of air that ceiling fans with a down rod can move. They are able to do this because subtle adjustments to their design and the installation process have been added to maximize airflow in a minimum amount of space.

Other ceiling fans that are not designed to be flush-mounted do not offer this benefit. In the event that you do successfully flush-mount a ceiling fan by removing the down rod, you’ll find that there will be a lot less air moving in your room.

If you’ve always liked the look of a traditional master bedroom, then your ceiling fan should match that look. You should also have a ceiling fan that can provide you with a high airflow so you receive better air circulation. The Hyperikon Indoor Ceiling Fan with Remote provides you with a 52-inch fan with a traditional wood finish on the blade, with a maple veneer, to give you that authentic look you want.

This ceiling fan is a traditional 5-blade design and offers a 62w motor that provides a CFM rating of 4400 on its highest speed. That gives it an efficiency rating of 70, which allows the fan to provide consistent comfort in the bedroom.

Here are some of the other key features to look at on this ceiling fan by Hyperikon.

• This ceiling fan offers two-way rotation so you can benefit from better air movement in the winter as well as the summer.
• A 5-year warranty is included with this ceiling fan. Hyperikon currently offers it as an unlimited warranty, but that is subject to change.
• The ceiling fan offers an adjustable mounting option as well. If your bedroom has a lower ceiling, you can transition this model into a flush-mounted design.

There are 3 finishes available with this Hyperikon model. We were able to take a look at the white finish. There is also a black finish and a brushed nickel finish that offer darker wood veneers for the blades.

Observations of the Hyperikon Indoor Ceiling Fan

The blades on this ceiling fan are also reversible. If you want a slightly darker look, you can flip the white blade over to have a maple wood veneer. The shading is subtle, but enough to provide some contrast to the look for your bedroom.

The remote control for the ceiling fan is rather simple to use. You can turn the light on or off with the push of a button. The fan also turns on or off and you can immediately change the fan speed setting. You cannot control the spin direction with the remote, however, as that requires moving a toggle switch on the fan.

The fan itself is a little noisy because of the levels of blade wind that are produced, but the motor is not loud and it doesn’t hum when it is properly installed.

It isn’t a good fan option for those that have a vaulted or tall ceiling. You do receive an angled installation and you can flush-mount this fan, but an extended down bar reduces the performance of the fan. There isn’t enough air movement to be felt on the ground for the tall ceiling either with the standard mount.

For a traditional look and the ability to get the job done, the Hyperikon Indoor Ceiling Fan with Remote was a surprisingly good value option for us. Although it does have a certain tediousness to the installation process, the positives far outweigh the limited negatives with this fan and that is why it earns our recommendation.

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One of the biggest knocks against a flush-mount ceiling fan is that its design does not move the same amount of air as a more traditional fan design. Because it “hugs” the ceiling, there is less room for air to move over and then through the fan blades.

Yet some rooms, with their low ceilings, must have one of the best flush-mount ceiling fans because it would be dangerous to install a traditional ceiling fan.

How can you make sure that you’re purchasing a flush-mount ceiling fan that can move a lot of air? You’ll need to look at the fan’s cubic feet of air per minute rating. Referred to as the “CFM,” this figure is somewhat subjective to the manufacturer, but is a somewhat decent standard to consider when shopping.

A flush-mount ceiling fan with a high CFM will move the most air for you. You’ll want to look for a high-flow model that has a 7000 CFM rating at minimum if you want a lot of air movement in your room.

Features of High Flow Ceiling Fans

Although many flush-mount ceiling fans do struggle to move large amounts of air, a well-designed model can compete with any other type of ceiling fan. To create wind movement, longer and wider blades are often necessary with the “hugger” design. A standard ceiling fan blade dimension might be 52 inches, but for higher air movement, you may need a model that is 60+ or 70+ inches instead.

The size of your room is going to come into play as well. Small rooms require smaller fans to achieve a high CFM. If your space is only 100 square feet, you’ll receive a higher CFM rating from the same fan installed in a room that is 200 square feet in size.

Wattage, the efficiency rating of the motor, and other factors must be considered as well.

There is another type of method to judge airflow from ceiling fans that is gaining some traction as well, especially in the flush-mount category. Called the “Breeze” rating, it takes into account the actual wind speed that can be generated through blade rotation.

The best ceiling fans in this category can achieve a speed greater than 4 miles per hour. Anything above 3.5 mph will provide you with enough air movement to offer comfort.

Know Your Building Codes Before Starting

In the United States, building codes require a ceiling fan to be a minimum of 7 feet from the floor. Some homes and apartments have rooms that have a ceiling height of 7.5 feet. Since the closest flush-mount ceiling fan gives you 18 inches of clearance, a ceiling must be 8.5 feet high to support a ceiling fan installation if building codes are being followed.

How the room will be used also matters. A bedroom ceiling fan will be ineffective if bunk beds are in that space. The person on the top bunk will also be in a potentially dangerous place should the ceiling fan be on.

With time, care, and the best ceiling fan reviews providing assistance, it is possible to find a great flush-mount ceiling fan today. Find your affordable room upgrade right now.

Sometimes, the traditional look is just not right for the bedroom. If you love modern lines and want something that can be a focal point of your interior design, you may find yourself feeling disappointed by the options you find in the category of the best bedroom ceiling fans. Let the Honeywell Rio Contemporary Ceiling Fan lift your spirts. With its swept-up blade design, brushed nickel finish with matte black blades, and quiet convenience, it will exceed your expectations.

A light kit is included with this Honeywell ceiling fan. The cased white glass bowl is frosted to diffuse the light and two 13w CFL bulbs are included with purchase.

Here are the other key features to consider when looking at this ceiling fan from Honeywell.

• A remote control is included with this ceiling fan, allowing you to take full control of its 3 speeds. You also have a smart sync feature that makes setting up the fan a simple process and there is a light delay option that allows you to walk away without worrying about energy waste.
• You can wire the fan and light kit separately to take advantage of a dimmer switch if you happen to have one.
• The 54-inch blades are large enough to handle virtually any master bedroom, providing comfort all year long. The motor is reversible and one of the quietest options available in this category.

This ceiling fan is also one of the few bedroom fans that comes with a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.

Observations of the Honeywell Rio

Plan to have the assembly and installation of this ETL-listed ceiling fan take about an hour. Once installed, at the highest speed setting, you’ll receive a CFM rating of 5736. Because it requires 53w, however, the efficiency rating is just 52 on this fan. It is not the most energy-efficient option available right now.

If you have an angled ceiling, there are included instructions with this ceiling fan to complete the installation.

You can swap out the CFL bulbs for LED bulbs if you prefer.

The blades on this ceiling fan are plastic and not a compressed wood, which gives some homeowners some better installation options as well. Although the assembly doesn’t have moisture resistance, cleaning the blades on this ceiling fan is pretty simple. The black color does show dust better, however, so you may feel the need to clean this ceiling fan more often.

The airflow that the fan produces feels more powerful than what the ratings actually state. If you install this ceiling fan in a smaller room, you could boost the CFM rating above 7000. It may be a little too large for a smaller child’s bedroom, but you could see this improvement in a smaller master bedroom in the 150-square-foot range.

The Honeywell Rio Contemporary Ceiling Fan is a surprisingly good ceiling fan that can give your bedroom a look that offers a modern twist. If you’re tired of the traditional ceiling fan, upgrade to this model and we think you’ll be thoroughly pleased.

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Dimmer switches can be awesome when installed in a home. It is a way to set the right mood, change a routine, or create a custom living experience. Installing dimmer switches is a common DIY project that most homeowners can complete in just a few minutes.

The problem with a dimmer switch is that it can be easily overloaded. It can also cause problems for the ceiling fan if it is directly connected to it. The switch could damage the motor on the ceiling fan. If the switch is overloaded, it could heat up and start a fire.

Both are bad outcomes. Now here’s the good news: these bad outcomes are associated with a standard dimmer switch. Some switches are designed specifically to work with ceiling fans and will have a speed control that will provide the customization you may want or need at the switch.

What Can I Do If the Ceiling Fan Is Already Wired?

The best option you have for a ceiling fan that is wired to a standard dimmer switch is to change it out for a simple toggle switch. Although this will eliminate your ability to dim the light on the ceiling fan, it will also reduce the risks of damage to the fan or your home.

If your ceiling fan has wiring already in place where you have a separate switch for fan control, then you can have the separate controls wired to independent switches. In this circumstance, the light kit could be connected to a dimmer switch and the fan motor connected to a toggle switch.

You may be required to hire a professional electrician or qualified handyman to complete this job. Not every homeowner’s policy will cover a DIY installation.

If you have an existing ceiling fan that is more than a decade old or your new ceiling fan with lights was given a retro install, then you likely don’t have the wiring in place for the separate controls. You can still have the same benefits, however, if you use a remote and receiver combination that is wired directly to the ceiling fan.

SFGate offers instructions on how to install a ceiling fan light dual dimmer switch that will take you through the complete DIY process if you wish to avoid hiring a professional.

What Can I Do If There Is Only One Switch Available?

If you only have one switch available for your ceiling fan, then there are two options available to you.

• Install the ceiling fan with a standard toggle switch and control the light intensity with the fan’s pull switch.
• Separate the wiring between the light kit and the fan and install a second switch in the wall.

The latter option may require running wiring over the ceiling and down the wall to the box, where you can then change the single switch to a dual switch. Some communities may require a building permit for this action to be taken.

For many homes, a dimmer switch is a nice feature, but not always something that works well with a ceiling fan. Make sure your wiring meets coding requirements and never hook up a standard dimmer switch to the actual fan motor to avoid potentially devastating results.