Cost To Install Ceiling Fans: Style, Price, and Installation

Ceiling fans are a surprisingly cheap and energy efficient way to both cool and heat your home.
Costing about the same price as a 60 watt light bulb to operate, installing a fan in time for this summer can have you feeling up to 8 degrees cooler. Not only that, run in conjunction with an air conditioner you can see as much as a 40% reduction in the power used to cool your home.

However there are a wide range of different types and styles of ceiling fans available on the market, each tailored to suit the specific needs and requirements of different homes and rooms.

When budgeting, it is important to include the cost to install a ceiling fan, not just the purchase prices.

A Fan for All Seasons

While most people think of fans as a way to cool a home, some are just as effective at keeping you warmer in winter months.

Unlike air conditioners or heaters, fans circulate the air in a room rather than affect its temperature. This circulating air is felt by people within the room, making the temperature seem cooler or warmer.

For anyone wanting to utilise their fan in both summer and winter it is important to purchase a fan with a reversible feature. This feature allows the fan to spin both clockwise and counter-clockwise, moving the air differently depending on the temperature you require in the room. This works by directing cool air onto people in the room, or by circulating hot air trapped at the top of the room.

Ceiling Fan With Light

Size Matters

Depending on the dimensions of the room, the size of the most effective fan differs. This includes both the length of the blades, and the distance from the ceiling.

As a general rule of thumb, smaller rooms up to 22 metres squared should have fans with 122cm blades, while larger rooms up to 36 metres squared should use 132cm and above blades.

The height of the ceiling of the room can also have an effect on the installation of a fan. Rooms with ceilings more than 3 metres high may require an additional downrod. All fans should be installed at least 300mm from the ceiling and 2.1 metres from the floor.

Let There Be Light

An important consideration in purchasing a ceiling fan is the decision as to whether it will replace the room’s main light source.

Many models are available with and without lights. Some fans also have the option of adding a light at a later date, however it is recommended that any lights added after the initial installation are purchased from the original manufacturer to ensure the light works correctly and it is aesthetically pleasing.

Metal vs Wooden Blades

One of the biggest differences you will notice when choosing between different styles and models of fans is that some are wooden and some are metal. This difference is more than just aesthetics.

Metal blades are capable of circulating more air than wooden ones, however create more noise in doing so. Because of this, metal fans are recommended in high noise rooms such as the living or lounge room, family room, dining room and kitchen.

While they do not circulate as much air as their metal counterparts, wooden blades are much quieter. Because of this they are perfect for rooms where there is less background noise or where a noisy fan would be annoying – such as a study or bedroom.

How Many Blades?

Ceiling fans not only come in different styles and materials, but can also come with different numbers of blades. The number of blades has little effect on the performance of the individual fan and is generally a style decision.

Four bladed fans are the most common, while fans with three blades are usually made of metal – which as we have learned are slightly noisier. Five-bladed fans require a slightly bigger motor to spin and therefore cost more to operate than a three or four blade fan.

Cost to Install a Ceiling Fan

All ceiling fans must be installed by a licensed electrician. The cost charged for the installation of fans can differ depending on a number of factors, such as the access to the ceiling or wall, the support structure in place for the fan, wiring required, and the height of the ceiling.

If you are on Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches and considering installing ceiling fans in time for summer, we welcome your call on 0410 229 139 to discuss which type of fan best suits your needs, and to give you an idea of the cost to install a ceiling fan in your home.