Ceiling Fan Accessories and Purchasing Choices

Light Kits

There are many choices of ceiling fan light kits.

• Branched, or stemmed, light kits usually come with 3 or 4 “arms” and can either point up toward the ceiling fan or down toward the floor.
• Bowl
  light kits can either be directly attached to the ceiling fan housing
  (i.e., integral), or attached below the fan. Bowl and shade designs
  range from clear to alabaster, crystal, or tiffany - the fancier the
  glass design, the more expensive. Nearly all ENERGY STAR qualified
  ceiling fan light fixtures use bowl lighting.
• Uplight
  designs are also becoming more popular. where the light kit sits on top
  of the housing and point up toward the ceiling, casting a softer light
  throughout the room

Ceiling fan light kits can be purchased three different ways:
(1) integrated into the fan, (2) included with the fan at the time of
purchase, or (3) sold separately. Many of the light kits that are sold
separately are “universal,” meaning that they can be used on a number
of different fan models. Similarly, most ceiling fans are light kit
adaptable. However, there are many cases where compatibility is only
between light kits and ceiling fans under the same brand. Information
regarding light kit/ceiling fan compatibility should be found on the
product packaging.

Remote and Wall Controls

Standard
controls for the ceiling fan motor include a pull chain attached to the
housing (two if lighting is included), and a motor reversing switch on
the lower, or switch, housing. However, many manufacturers offer remote
or wall controls either sold with the model or as an accessory. Most
ceiling fans have a 3-speed switch in the housing and as such, most
ceiling fan wall controls complement this set-up. When choosing a wall
control for a fan/light combination, make sure to choose one that
operates each function separately and can operate the fan at 3 or 4
distinct speeds. Using a conventional dimmer switch to run the fan
could cause the ceiling fan motor to hum. When you choose an ENERGY
STAR qualified fan with lighting or an ENERGY STAR qualified light kit,
and you wish to use it with a dimmer, make sure the packaging indicates
that the lighting is dimmable.

Be sure to look for controls
that match up with your ceiling fan: maximum amps, number of speeds,
total lamp wattage, and brand. Some of the remote and wall controls
work with a number of different ceiling fan brands; however, there are
some remotes that should only be used with specific brands. Check with
the sales associate and/or the product packaging if purchasing the
controls separately.

Purchasing Choices

Ceiling
fans are sold in many different distribution channels: lighting and
builder showrooms, national retail chains, hardware stores, and
electrical distributors. Showrooms offer consumers many different
brands, finishes, blade types, and light kit options. Here, each
consumer may essentially design his or her own fan. Retail chains and
hardware stores usually offer a number of different choices in
completed fans, with or without lighting, and light kits.

Performance: Components that Count

No
one component defines the performance of the fan; rather it is the
combination of all of these components that affects how well a fan
works.

Motor

Basically, there are two types of
ceiling fan motors: those with sealed and lubricated ball bearings and
those with bearings that rotate in an oil bath. Lubrication provides
smooth operation and contributes to the longevity of the motor. Motors
with sealed bearings require little or no maintenance whereas motors
with oil baths need occasional service, such as adding oil.

Motor Grade

• Performance Grade
  fans — Use larger and more powerful motors that are designed for
  continuous use and quiet operation. These are usually the most
  expensive models
• Medium Grade fans are suitable for operating 12 hours or less per day.
• Moderate or Economy Grade fans work best in a room with 8-foot ceilings, running no more than 8 hours a day. Least are the most inexpensive ceiling fans

Motor Housing

The
housing is the decorative body of the fan that encloses the fan motor.
Fans that use heavier materials, such as die cast metals, for housing
tend to vibrate less, provide more stability for longer downrods, and
provide a good surface for high quality finishes.

Other features that ensure longevity and quiet operation include heavy-duty windings, precision engineering bearings, and shock-absorbent internal components. These features are commonly found in more expensive ceiling fan models.

Blade

• Pitch
  is the angle of the fan's blades, and it's measured in degrees. Higher
  blade pitches usually move more air, which is given in cubic feet per
  minute, or CFM. However, blade pitch alone does not determine air
  movement. Other factors such as the motor design and speed, as well as
  blade design, material, number, and length can contribute to the amount
  of air movement. Higher pitch is NOT always better — some models offer
  a higher blade pitch to compensate for a smaller, less efficient motor.
• Blades should be sealed from moisture
  to prevent warping, bubbling, or peeling. Some manufacturers offer
  special coatings on metal finishes to prevent scratches or tarnishing.
• High
  quality blades are weighed and balanced prior to shipment and come in
  factory-matched sets. For this reason, they cannot be switched out with
  other fans. For flexibility in design, a number of manufacturers offer
  a variety of blade styles and finishes for a particular fan. However,
  changing the blade style could affect the performance of the fan.

Ceiling Fan Installation and Usage Tips

Ceiling fan performance and energy savings rely heavily on the proper installation and use of the ceiling fan. Here are a few tips to ensure quality and product performance.

Note: consumers should read and understand manufacturer instructions before attempting to install a ceiling fan.
Choosing the Appropriate UL-Rated Electrical Box

Make sure that you use the appropriate UL-listed metal box, marked “For Use With Ceiling Fans.” This outlet box is mounted above the ceiling and also is the point where the fan is attached. This box houses all wiring needed to operate and connect the ceiling fan. If you are replacing a ceiling fixture, most likely you will need to replace the electrical box.
Mounting the Ceiling Fan

If possible, the ceiling fan should be anchored to a ceiling joist. In the case that the joist is not located in the center of the room, a special ceiling fan mounting bracket with spiked ends should be installed between joists. Keep in mind that ceiling fans can weigh as much as 50 pounds! For tips on installing a ceiling fan, click on the file below.
Balancing a Wobbly Fan

All fan blades should be balanced prior to shipment; however, if the fan is wobbly after installation, there are ways to fix it. First, make sure that all connections are properly aligned and tightly fastened. Check the alignment of the blades by holding a yardstick vertically along the edges; you may be able to gently bend a misaligned blade holder back into proper place. If all blades are aligned, a balancing kit can then be used to pinpoint the culprit. These kits are either provided within product packaging (e.g., balancing clips and blade weights) or can be sent by the manufacturer free of charge. View Exit ENERGY STAR a video with tips on fixing a wobbly fan.
Turn Off When not in the Room

Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. If the room is unoccupied, turn off the ceiling fan to save energy.
Using the Ceiling Fan Year Round

In the summer, use the ceiling fan in the counter-clockwise direction. While standing directly under the ceiling fan you should feel a cool breeze. The airflow produced creates a wind-chill effect, making you “feel” cooler. In the winter, reverse the motor and operate the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan — additional energy and dollar savings could be realized with this simple step!

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. This can save you $10 per year on utility bills, plus any additional air conditioning or heating savings you may gain when your fan is operated properly.


Earning the ENERGY STAR

While ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fans use improved motors and blade designs, you can dramatically increase your savings with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting. If your fan doesn't include lighting, be sure to purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified light kit. This lighting is efficient and long lasting, so you won't have to make frequent bulb changes.