Ceiling fans are an economical addition to any home's heating and cooling system. These fans, when properly placed, will effectively circulate air within the room. Placement of the fans will of course depend on the size of the room, ceiling height and whether or not the ceiling is sloped. The length of the fans' blades also play a crucial role in the amount of air that is moved within the space. A long rectangular room may require the use of two fans evenly spaced.
Blade Sizes
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Typically ceiling fans' blades are broken into three categories: long, medium and small. Long blades will be 54 inches each and are used for rooms up to 400 square feet or a 20-foot by 20-foot room. 44-inch long blades can be sized for rooms of 15 feet by 15 feet or 225 square feet. The small blades are 42 inches long and will move air in a 12-foot by 12-foot space for a total of 144 square feet.
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Locations
Ceiling fans are generally placed in the center of the room due to the fact that most furniture arrangements center around the room. Furniture arrangement though should not dictate the placement of the fan. Actually the fan can be placed in areas where people will congregate the most. Small nook areas may warrant a smaller fan to move air in a corner or bay window area. Fireplaces may need special considerations as the air movement from the overhead fan may interfere with the chimney's smoke draw. The length of the room may also need more fans down the center of the room in order to adequately circulate all the air. Heating and air conditioning intake vent placement may also have to be taken into consideration as the ceiling fan may disrupt airflow into the register.
Distance
Tall ceilings, greater than 8 feet in height, may require that the fan is extended down from the ceiling's surface in order to move the lower air. The fan is usually supported by a long metal pipe made especially for ceiling fans. The bottom of the fan should not be lower than 7 feet from the floor. Blade distance from sidewalls and sloped ceilings should be kept to a minimum of 2 feet. All ceiling fans must be securely fastened into the wood framing members of the ceiling.