Even though the room may be small, some air movement could really help it to become a more comfortable place to be. Small rooms don’t require large ceiling fans. They can also be space savers thanks to the inclusion of a light kit.
That’s why the best ceiling fans with lights are a great investment for a smaller room. With blade dimensions as small as 30 inches, you can still achieve a high CFM without taking a large hit to your budget.
A small room is defined as being 12 feet by 12 feet in size or less.
Here is what you’ll want to think about if you’re installing a ceiling fan in a small room.
#1. Larger fans in smaller rooms can be a good thing. It takes less energy for a larger fan to create the same air movement as a smaller fan. Although the cost may be a little more, try going to a 44-inch fan for a small room so you can run it at a lower speed. Over time, you’ll make up the difference in utility savings.
#2. Lower ceilings don’t always require a flush-mounted fan. The standard ceiling height in the United States is 9 feet. Most ceiling fans are designed to provide the correct clearance levels with blade height, at 7 feet or above. Unless you’re above 7 feet tall, you generally don’t need to worry about smacking your head into the ceiling fan. Consider a flush-mounted ceiling fan if your ceiling is below 9 feet.
#3. Smaller rooms cause ceiling fans to wobble. Ceiling fans wobble because they have been installed improperly or the blades are not balanced. The wobble has nothing to do with the air movement that is generated within a small room. Even with a correct installation and perfect balancing, a slight wobble is normal for most ceiling fans – up to 1/8-inch in either direction.
#4. Motor size is sometimes more important than blade size. The amount of air that a ceiling fan can generate is dependent upon the size of the motor relative to the size of the blades. An undersized motor with lengthy blades will move less air than a powerful motor equipped with smaller blades. Stronger motors are a better representation of CFM expectations than the overall blade size.
#5. Minimize the number of blades on a small room ceiling fan. Many small room ceiling fans are equipped with 4-8 blades. Look for models that have 2-3 blades instead for better results. If one of the blades on your ceiling fan happens to break, you’ll need to replace them all to prevent vibration or balance issues. Replacing 2 or 3 blades is a lot cheaper than replacing 6 or 8 blades.
#6. Damp ratings are important for certain rooms. If the small room is adjacent to a bathroom, then you’ll want to find a ceiling fan that is damp-rated. Wet ratings are for outdoor ceiling fans and unnecessary for an indoor installation. The damp rating can handle the humidity that occurs in a room next to a bathroom.
Ceiling fans in small rooms are a good combination. Think about what you want to accomplish with this installation and you’ll be able to find the perfect ceiling fan for your space.