Several of a ceiling fan’s components determine how energy efficient it is. When you’re buying, consider:
- The number of blades. Some manufacturers say that the more blades a fan has, the more efficient it will be. Because a fan with five or six blades has less space between blades, the movement of the air feels more consistent than it will if you’re in a room with a three- or four-blade fan. Fans with more blades also are quieter because they can produce the same air movement at a slower speed, which cuts down on the chopping “helicopter” sound some fans make.
- The pitch of the blades. Some say the ideal fan has five blades at a 15-degree pitch. The pitch is the angle of the blade in relation to the motor. The greater the pitch, the more air the blade moves. You can buy fans with a pitch as high as 23 degrees, but it might be a bit noisy. Also, curved blades move more air than flat blades.
- The speed of the motor. A small, inexpensive motor won’t create as much air movement as a larger motor. Before you buy, listen to the fan in action so you can hear if the motor makes too much noise for you. A quality fan should not be noisy.
- The distance between the fan and the ceiling. For the most comfortable results, install the fan seven to eight feet from the floor. If your room has high ceilings, buy an extension “down-rod” to lower the fan to the ideal location.
