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.