Where to install a ceiling fan

Some do's & don'ts about where to install a ceiling fan.

Background

We have sold tens of thousands of ceiling fans since 1965, and have learned much about locating fans for maximum effectiveness. Our idea of effectiveness is to move the right volume of air, at a comfortable velocity, while consuming the least amount of electricity measured in watts. Fortunately, most of the fans which Wilcorp sells, have been selected because of their excellent motor performance. New motor designs just introduced in the last two years move significant volumes of air on even less power.

Don'ts

Never install a fan overtop a baby's crib or play pen. Why? Fans are very effective at removing heat from the body, thus the cooling effect, also referred to as the 'wind chill effect'. Your doctor can explain why in more detail.

Low ceilings & Down rod length

The down rod length is critical for a successful installation. If you have a low ceiling, say 7'6" or 2.28 meters, we strongly suggest an alternative to a ceiling fan. Even our lowest profile models for low ceilings hang down about 10" to 12".

While most adults can easily walk underneath such an installation at approximately 6'6" or 1.98 meters, the danger occurs when you raise your hands or some object up above your head, potentially resulting in a collision with a turning blade. This is where pedestal or table top fans can be effective in bringing in fresh air when positioned in front of an open window, or near a doorway to move air into a room from the hallway.

Try not to install fans too close to return (intake) air ducts of heating and air conditioning systems as this could reduce the effectiveness of the air flow back to the heat exchanger. Conversely, a fan located near a ceiling or wall discharge duct will aid in the distribution of that air flow and help provide better whole room air circulation. This can be a situation where a fan turning at relatively low speeds can be very effective.

Don't install a fan directly over a gas appliance nor a gas or electric stove. Why? Flame-ups, grease fires will spread very quickly in the presence of increased air flow. Flambé +Fan = Fire Engine at your Front door.

Bathrooms

Fan installation in a bathroom should only be supplied by power coming through a ground fault protected circuit. Variable speed air circulation in a bathroom offers users many benefits including, faster drying of floors and towels etc. and can help to minimize the growth of mold. Wilcorp's selection of small fans is perfect for these areas especially in smaller bathrooms. A retractable clothesline plus an appropriate sized ceiling fan and voila, you have a super effective way of drying under garments, socks and such. When compared to using the electric dryer, you just saved the equivalent of a few barrels of oil over the course of a year.

Customer Comment

"When I need a quality fan, I go to Wilcorp" said one of our customers recently.

We thought about that statement, and our response was "our quality fans come in all sizes and price ranges". Wilcorp has an extensive range of utility fans, relatively plain in design for those out of the way rooms starting at $69. Most of these units have multi-year or lifetime motor warranties.

Laundry Rooms

Laundry rooms really do benefit from added air circulation. For one, the clean heat generated by washing and drying processes can be circulated to evenly distribute heat and humidity in the cooler months. In the summer months, air circulation keeps everything drier. Hanging clothes dry faster, and whoever draws the short straw for ironing that week, will appreciate the breeze.

Garment Storage

Closets and seasonal garment storage need air circulation and dehumidification. Wilcorp's petite fans are well suited for these areas, can be outfitted with a light and don't cost very much. The combination of a small dehumidifier + a small fan will make a large difference. Try it! We have a 30 day money back guarantee*.

http://www.wilcorp.com/idea-gallery/11-Fan-tastic-reasons-to-visit-Wilcorps-Mega-Fan-store.html

Stairs, Stair wells and Landings

Fans installed over stairs provide an opportunity to either recirculate air back down the stairs to a lower level, or in the reverse direction, draw air up to a second level. Either way, there are benefits to moving air, hot or cold, in either direction.

Bedrooms

Quiet, variable speed controlled air circulation should be the functional objective. Selecting a stylish fan which meets your decor criteria is also important.

You should not have to compromise on style nor function. Wilcorp arguably has the largest selection of ceiling fans on display and in stock of late model designs which operate quietly and which complement any decor.

Many of our mind-range fans come with remote controls and offer an extensive array of optional lighting.

Living and Dining Rooms

Quiet and controlled operation is very important. So too is the design of the fan. Wilcorp has worked with designers for more than fourty years to provide end users with exactly the colour and design detailing specified. With more than 250 fans on display and a selection of over one thousand, we're certain we can satisfy any requirement.

High Ceilings

This is where the down rod length plays a very important role. Wilcorp has a metal working studio on premises, and can prepare and paint down rods to almost any length. Suffice to say function and aesthetics need to be satisfied so that when the home owner stands back and reviews the room from different angles, the fan installation appears balanced. Almost every installation is different. Ceiling height, angled or vaulted ceilings present installation challenges, as do window location and size, heat and cooling sources all need to be considered. When it's done right, graceful is the first thought that comes to mind. When it's not, the phone call and the cost of the electrician/installer to try and correct the installation can be painful. Why? High ceilings require long ladders, or scaffolds. Your fan is best installed when a contactor with a scaffold is already on site installing lighting or whatever. It can be costly to get the equipment back on site.

Because of the relative inaccessibility of mounting a fan or light on a high ceiling, we strongly suggest a full review of fan designs and a discussion about motor size and quality before selecting a fan.

Wilcorp will make the process of selection, and preparation of the down rod painless. But attention to detail on high ceiling installations is very important.

Outdoor Installations

There are two types, protected and not protected. A ceiling fan rated for a protected environment (installed on a porch or sufficiently protected over hang) has a different electrical rating than does a fan which can get wet.

In our opinion, install only wet rated fans...just to be safe.

Aside from the obvious and already discussed consideration of ceiling height, outdoor fans can deliver great personal comfort during hot, humid weather. And when the sun sets and the insect world emerges, being enveloped by a breeze keeps the little biters...away...sort of. This of course depends on air velocity, the types of bugs that hang out in your locale and whether or not your Shangri-La is deep inside a forest with no air movement. In which case libations need to be served indoors.

Gazebos

Purchase only 'wet rated' ceiling fans for this type of installation. Wilcorp has a selection of designs with synthetic blades, powder coated metal housings and stainless steel hardware.

Sheds and barns

Damp rated fans should be considered for a space which can become quite damp, especially during rainy seasons. Select the appropriate size fan for the space involved, giving consideration to blade pitch and motor size to circulate as much air as possible. Why? Garden and farming equipment stored in sheds and barns often return from earth tending activities, wet, dusty/muddy and eventually in need of some cleaning or power washing. Our large industrial fans are the best choice to get the equipment and garden tools dry, thereby minimizing rusting conditions. Dry equipment lasts longer which means lower operating costs.

Fruit & Vegetable Storage

We sold many of our first industrial fan designs to vendors operating at The Ontario Food Terminal, like way back in the early 1970's. Here is one of our archive photos of a garlic vendor using a Wilcorp fan to dry out the bulbs just received via transport truck from the south.

http://wilcorp.com/green-products.html

Roots Cellars

Sphagnum moss, dampness control and air circulation will create the conditions for root vegetables to last the winter, long after the Fall harvest. Now with our selection of small petite small, low profile fans, the gardener today has the equipment needed to provide the family with fresh vegetables three to five months beyond harvest.

 

 

 

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