Ceiling fans are a popular addition to your Melbourne home, be it for function or even aesthetics.
We are often approached for advice on which fan to buy, so we thought we’d put together a Buyers Guide explaining all the things you need to consider.
WHICH STYLE – AC OR DC CEILING FAN?
There are two main types of ceiling fans, being AC fans or DC fans. This refers to what is powering the motor, and is has an impact on things like features, noise and design.
Benefits of AC Fans:
- wall controller operated
- cheaper to buy
Benefits of DC Fans:
- up to 70% more efficient than AC fans
- quieter operation
- smaller and lighter motor
- more variable speeds
- remote controlled
- able to be installed in place of an existing light without running additional cabling!
So you can quickly see why DC Fans are usually the preferred option especially the last point on the list of benefits. If you have a bedroom light, and wish to install a fan, we can quite easily replace the bedroom light with a DC ceiling fan + light combo without having to run additional wiring or cabling to the fan (assuming the old lighting point had an earthing connection, which in some old homes, they don’t…)
WHICH SIZE FAN IS BEST FOR ME:
Fan sizes are usually shown in inches, with the two most common sizes for a domestic setting to be either 48inches or 52inches. Below is a handy little guide on how big the fan should be, for the respective room sizes.
Room Size Versus Fan Size
Small bedroom (10m2): Fan Size = 48 inches
Medium room (10m2 – 15m2): Fan Size = 48 – 52 inches
Medium Large (15m2 – 20m2): Fan Size = 56 inches
Large (20m2 – 40m2): Fan Size = 56 – 80 inches
TIP: Be aware of whether downlights will be directly above the fan blades when you choose the fan size. Having a fan ‘chop’ the light from the downlight can cause annoying shadow and light movement on the ground…
Features and Functions:
Both AC and DC ceiling fans come with different features, but DC fans do tend to have more features mostly due to their remote control function.
Both AC and DC fans can come with built in lights, allowing you to replace and existing light with a ceiling fan + light combo. While we’re at it, both also come with variable speed settings, and dimmable lighting options.
But when it comes to the cool stuff, DC ceiling fans take the cake for sure…
- Timer (to turn off after a certain timeframe)
- Light colour output (warm white, cool white, daylight)
- Rotation direction (for summer or winter use)
- more speed options
- Wifi control (rare but possible)
It is important to stress that getting your ceiling fan installed by a professional is very important. Too many jobs we attend to have had fans fall down due to inadequate bracing in the roof cavity, or are electrically unsafe due to lack of earthing or correct cabling. Choosing your installer is as important as choosing the fan so choose wisely (BTW we love installing fans, and do a great job too… hint hint)
WHAT NEXT?
The next step for you, is to decide which fan you want, where you’d like it installed and then simply email us via our homepage to request a quote! We’ll ask you a few questions too, like whether or not you live in a double storey house (in case we need to install bracing timber in a downstairs room which can be tricky) and send you a quote! Then it’s just a matter of booking the job in, installing your fan and sending you a COES and bingo, you’re all set for summer!