How to clean a ceiling fan?

If you're not sure how to clean a ceiling fan, fear not! You're not alone, and we're here to help. Just like anything else in your home, ceiling fans need a regular clean. Cleaning a ceiling fan can help increase its life span and maintain the air quality in your home. Without regular cleaning, dust can build up along its blades and the top of its motor. Unfortunately, because the ceiling fan is above your eye line, you may not notice the dust until you turn on the fan. At this point, dust won't just be on the fan. It will be all over you, not to mention the rest of the room. While this may leave the fan cleaner than it started, it's much easier to clean a single fan than an entire room. All you need to do is follow the handy tips below. 

Make cleaning your fan part of your regular cleaning regimen.

Let's face it. It's too easy to forget about cleaning a fan unless you incorporate the task into your routine. Some cleaning experts suggest dusting a fan every two months, but it depends on your location. A fan installed in an open plan kitchen and living area might need more frequent cleaning if exposed to steam from the cooking area.

The Money Crashers website suggests putting a schedule into writing to help you stick to it, but you will know what works for you best. Because you won't need to clean your fans every time you clean, including it in your schedule might seem counter-intuitive. But there are easy ways to manage this. If you have more than one fan, you could clean one each week. If not, why not create a list of monthly tasks and alternate between them each time you clean your house?

Cleaning a dusty fan

Removing dust from a ceiling fan is an important job. Dusty fans circulate pollutants around the room, creating a health hazard, particularly for people with allergies or asthma. There are several ways to dust a ceiling fan.

1. No matter which method you use, cover your face. The whole reason you're doing this is to protect your health, so don't undo all your good work by breathing in dust.
2. You can expose yourself to even less dust by using an old pillowcase to remove the dust from your fans. Place the pillowcase over the fan blade. The blade should be sitting inside the pillowcase. Drag the pillowcase off the fan, applying just enough pressure to remove the dust too. The dust will be inside the pillowcase. Repeat for each fan blade and pop the pillowcase in the washing machine. All done!
3. You can also wipe down the fan with a damp cloth to remove dust. You can also use a dry cloth, but keep in mind that damper fabric will hold more dust - whereas a dry cloth may push the dust back into the air.

Cleaning a greasy fan

If your fan is in or near a kitchen, it might accumulate grease over time. Cleaning grease is not as easy as cleaning dust, but with a bit of effort, you should be able to make your fan sparkle again.

1. Apply a small amount of degreaser or rubbing oil to a damp cloth and wipe down the fan applying slight pressure.

Once you've removed the grease, use a warm damp cloth to remove any excess degreaser from the fan. If you've caught the spring cleaning bug, we also have advice on how to clean your exhaust fan too! 

Other Related Article:

Ceiling Fan Installation

Ceiling Fan Guide

7 Reasons to install a ceiling fan

1. To stay cool in summer

There’s nothing quite like a heatwave in Australia, and when the next one hits, you’ll want immediate relief. Ceiling fans create a windchill effect, which is very effective at cooling you when summer gets a little too much. They work very well in most spaces, including bedrooms and living rooms and there are even models suitable for outdoor use.

2. Use your heater less in winter

While a ceiling fan can’t replace a heater, it can help you use one more efficiently. Most people are know that warm air rises. Left to its own devices, heated air rises and leaves the living space altogether. But most ceiling fans have a handy feature that to keep warm air right where you need it. All you need to do is switch the fan into reverse, using either a switch on the motor or the remote. Spinning in the opposite direction, the fan creates a suction effect, pulling cool air up from the living space to the ceiling. The cool air pushes warm air back into the living space and creates a more comfortable environment. This simple solution is surprisingly effective. Most people find that using the reverse function allows them to run the heater on a lower setting for a shorter time.

3. Ceiling fans are a quieter cooling solution

Most modern ceiling fan manufacturers favour a "hang sure" canopy when they create their products. Compared to a model installed with a J-hook, ceiling fans with a hang sure canopy move less, and therefore, operate more quietly. Of course, sound varies between models and some people are more noise sensitive than others, but generally speaking, ceiling fans produce less noise than other household appliances. The main sound you may notice when you are using a ceiling fan doesn't come from the fan at all. It's the sound of air moving around, which is still very quiet, particularly on lower airflow settings. 

4. Because your air-con costs so much to run

Compared to an air conditioner, ceiling fans cost very little to run. Depending on the type of air conditioning unit in your home, you could be using up to 3500 watts when you run it. Ceiling fans use much less energy – most models use no more than 70 watts, even at high speed. This is a huge difference and one you’ll notice when you receive your electricity bill. Of course, to cool a whole home effectively on a very hot day, you may find that a ceiling fan isn’t enough, but there are still huge savings to be made by swapping the AC for a ceiling fan on moderately warm days.  

5. And by itself, it doesn’t circulate air efficiently

The warmer it is, the harder your air conditioner needs to work. The harder it works, the more it costs to run. Of course, the warmer it is the more likely you'll want to choose the AC instead of a fan. Don't! There's no reason to pick a side here. When you put these two modern appliances together, you get an unbeatable combination. Using a ceiling fan at the same time as your AC significantly reduces the workload on your air conditioner. The wind chill effect from the ceiling fan will make you feel cooler, meaning that you can raise the temperature setting on the air-con, without sacrificing your comfort. 

6. Because you care about the environment

By now, you understand that using a ceiling fan can help you save money. It will also reduce your environmental impact. The electricity market contributes 85% of Australia's overall greenhouse gas emissions, while heating and cooling account for most of the energy households use. It's not hard to see how important it might be to heat and cool your home more efficiently. A ceiling fan is a great tool to help you do exactly that, without making your home less comfortable.

7. Ceiling fans look fantastic

Any good interior designer will tell you that details make all the difference. The right ceiling fan can make the perfect finishing touch to your space. The good news is that there are hundreds of styles to choose from. No matter what colour scheme or style you're working with, there's a ceiling fan to suit. Check out our fans by style page to pick out a fan that will take your style game to the next level. 

How much does a ceiling fan cost to run?

With energy costs and energy efficiency front of mind for many Australians, it’s helpful to know which methods of cooling are the most effective. And the cheapest to run.

Ceiling fans are a simple, affordable option for cooling homes during our warm Aussie summers. They keep energy costs down and provide comfortable living spaces the whole family can enjoy.

But how much do fans actually cost to run? And are they energy efficient?

We provide a handy guide to calculating ceiling fan running costs and tips for getting the most out of your fan.

How much do ceiling fans cost to run?

The short answer is: It depends.

Several factors affect ceiling fan running costs, including fan type, size, and speed.              

Ceiling Fan Type

There are a wide variety of ceiling fans available to suit Australian conditions, powered by either an AC or DC motor. And different ceiling fan models use different amounts of power. Their usage is measured in watts.

It’s important to choose the right fan for your situation.

Ceiling Fan Size

Typically, the larger the room, the larger the fan (or number of fans) needed to cool the space. Larger ceiling fans require larger motors and, therefore, cost more to run.

Ceiling Fan Speed

If you run your fan on a lower speed, you can save dollars. The faster the speed, the more energy the fan uses, and the more it costs to run.  Important note: Even on high speeds, fans use very little energy. And are much cheaper to run than their energy-hungry cousin, the split system air-conditioner.

How many watts does a ceiling fan use?

Typical AC ceiling fans use 50-60 watts on high speed, while the average DC ceiling fan uses between 25—30 watts on high speed, and a super-efficient 2-3 watts on low speed. Generally speaking, the larger the fan (and its motor), the higher the wattage, and DC fans use less watts than AC fans.

So, now you’ve checked the wattage, how do you calculate the running costs for your ceiling fan?

Handy guide to calculating ceiling fan running costs

Before you calculate the cost of running your ceiling fan, you’ll need to check the relevant tariff on your energy bill. The time of day, that is, peak versus off-peak rates will influence the overall costs.

Ceiling fan running costs calculator

We’ve chosen a popular energy efficient model (with a DC motor) to demonstrate how to calculate typical running costs.

Fan Wattage:  35 watts (Low speed 3.5 watts, High speed 19.4 watts)

Sample energy tariff:  28c / kWh

Simple running cost formula

On low speed, this ceiling fan costs a fraction of a cent per hour to run! That’s less than 1 cent for an entire 8-hour day. And a super cost-effective 70 cents to run your fan, creating a gentle breeze over the 3 summer months.

Handy tips: how to cool and save

• Smart thinking: ceiling fans and ventilation

On mild sunny days, open windows on the shady side of your home to encourage cooling cross breezes. Combined with your ceiling fan on low speed, this is often enough ventilation to drop your home several degrees and avoid the use of costly air-conditioning.

• The power couple: ceiling fans and air-conditioning

To save on the hottest days, use your ceiling fan on a low setting to boost your air-conditioning. The ceiling fan circulates the cooling air throughout the space and allows you to set your air-conditioning on a warmer setting, while maintaining family comfort.

Ceiling fans cost a fraction to run compared with air-conditioning. According to energy.gov.au, for every degree higher you set your air-conditioning, you save 10% on running costs. That’s a powerful saving!

Ready to save on your cooling bills? Choose the perfect fan for your situation.

Contact us for more information.

How Many Blades Is Best For Ceiling Fan ?

Common Misconceptions:

• A ceiling fan with 5 or more blades provides better performance than 3 or 4 bladed ceiling fans.
• A bigger ceiling fan provides higher airflow compared to a smaller ceiling fan.

Does the number of blades on a fan really matter?

Believe it or not – this is one of the most of common questions we receive. As per the law of physics, additional blades increase the drag on a ceiling fan’s motor and slow it down. However, the number of blades has little or no impact on the amount of air a ceiling fan can move.  It’s more about the aesthetics than the airflow.

This is because of the recent innovations in fan design, motor, etc. that you might not be able to notice a major difference between 3 or 5 bladed fans. If you do however notice a slight difference, it might be due to various other factors that influence the performance of a fan (for eg. Motor wattage, Airflow declared by the manufacturer).

What is airflow and motor wattage?

Airflow is the amount of air a fan cam move and motor wattage is the energy the fan consumes. Ceiling fans have an average airflow of 8000m3/hr or 4708 CFM and consume about 60-70W. That being said, DC motor fans would consume less energy as compared to an AC motor fan.

So, a good idea would be to check the airflow and energy consumption/motor wattage of the fan. Fortunately, these days most of the manufacturers do provide this information.

Need more information? You can refer to our ceiling fan buying guide which offers a quick but through read – so you can purchase the fan that suits your space fine.

So, what really matters when purchasing a ceiling fan?

Well, to start with – choose something that pleases your eye! Purchasing a ceiling shouldn’t be hard, right? Don’t worry, it’s not – we have simplified it for you. Don’t forget to check the below-mentioned points before making the purchase:

Blade Features

Drag

You might have heard this term a lot while researching for your ideal fan. When a ceiling fan blade moves through the air, there’s an opposite force that slows it down, this is termed as drag. This reduces the airflow, increases energy consumption, and slows down the fan. Does this mean the lesser the blades the better? Well, fewer blades on the fan might reduce the drag but it could also provide little airflow. However, having said that there a few high airflow ceiling fans that are 3 bladed as well as 5 bladed.

Blade Pitch

Blade pitch is crucial as it mostly affects the amount of air a ceiling fan can move. But, what is a blade pitch? It’s the angle (measured in degrees) at which the blades are set relatively parallel to the ground. The curve/tilt on the blades makes a difference in how much air a fan can circulate through the room. Of course, the motor wattage should also be high enough to provide you with the right amount of airflow.

A fan with higher blade pitch can replace air more efficiently. According to a few studies, the optimal blade pitch is 12-15 degrees. One of our best-sellers – Eco Silent DC ceiling fan has an optimal blade pitch coupled with a great airflow!

Blade Material

The next important factor is the material of the blade – the heavier the blade material the more fan would weigh. This means you would require a more powerful motor to generate higher airflow.

Besides these, you might also want to scratch your head a bit and think about the below:

Lastly, the perfect blend would be a fan with good blade pitch, balanced blades, and a powerful motor.

Is that a lot of information? Take a deep breath and then just call us on 03 9017 0366. Our friendly sales team is always too happy to help.

If you’re fan-hunting on a weekend, contact us one of our sales team members should reach out on the next business day.

Which Ceiling Fan Brands Are Best?

Finding a quality ceiling fan brand is easy at Fansonline. All of the suppliers we deal with offer in home warranty on their fans so even if something goes wrong, you know you're in good hands. Still, with so many great brands to choose from, a lot of our customers ask us who we think the best fan manufacturer is. If you’re looking for a new ceiling fan, and are looking for a reliable brand, these are the ones that come to mind for us:

1.Fanco

2.Hunter Pacific

Hunter Pacific has over 30 years of experience with ceiling fans and related products. This brand is known for pushing the boundaries and creating new possibilities for ceiling fans. Their innovations include setting a new record for the highest IP rated ceiling fan, and developing a wall control for DC ceiling fans. Their extensive selection of products includes a lot of options for people in coastal areas.

3.Eglo

It only takes a glance to recognise the inherent quality of Eglo products. With its emphasis on design, this brand offers a stunning array of products across a select colour palette. Judging by their high quality range, Eglo’s product team seems to recognise that installing a ceiling fan is an opportunity to enhance the space with either a subtle accent or decorative piece. Of course, it takes more than great looks to make a great fan. Once it’s installed, a fan has a job to do. According to our customers, Eglo products operate efficiently and effectively.

4.Three Sixty

Three sixty have been operating in Australia since 2003 and like many of the brands on this list have some very appealing designs. In the last few years, their range has gotten even better, with the introduction of some excellent new models. heir fans are made of high-quality components, and are backed by a 3 year in home warranty.

5. Ventair

Air Conditioning vs Ceiling Fan : Who wins the heat battle?

Air Conditioner Vs Ceiling Fan : So should I install a ceiling fan, air conditioner or both?

What are the differences between the two? In a nutshell, air conditioners are effective at cooling spaces as they use cool air to cool the room(s) whilst ceiling fans are designed to ‘push air’ or ‘circulate air’ around the room.

Does this mean that the air conditioner is better? Depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you are a hot blooded Aussie, burning in the Australian heat, the air conditioner may be your only saving grace by cooling your rooms to icy temperatures. But is this effective or energy efficient? The downside is that running an air conditioner for hours a day will definitely increase your electricity bill – by a lot.

 Air Conditioning Pros & Cons

So I should go with ceiling fans then? As mentioned above, ceiling fans are designed to ‘push air’ or ‘circulate air’ in the room. On a scorching hot day, they will assist in relieving the hot, stagnant air, and bring back all the nostalgic moments of younger days. Most Aussies are used to ceiling fans in their homes, having grown up with them. It’s great to say ceiling fans have come a long way since the old ages with new styles, integrated technology (using SMART technology) and fans with higher airflows, the ceiling fan choice is abundant.

 Ceiling Fan Pros & Cons

What if I used both and how would this work? Now we are talking friendship. Running both the fan and air conditioner together, will certainly increase your bills higher, but not if you use them smarter together. The Air conditioner is great for pushing cool air into a room, and the ceiling fan is great at moving the air around. Catch my drift? Using the air conditioner to cool the room first and once cool, can be switched off.

The ceiling fan can then be used to circulate the cool air around for hours after the air conditioner has been switched off - including use at night time. Furthermore if you are able to have your air conditioner running a few degrees higher than normal in conjunction with the cooling breeze of a fan, you will drastically reduce your energy consumption.

Don’t forget, most ceiling fans will come with a winter/summer (reverse) function. This changes how the fan moves the air, allowing your fans to be used all year round with the Air Conditioning unit for both warm and cool air.

Money Saving Tip: Switch your ceiling fan off once you leave the room! As a fan works by creating air movement not by 'cooling the air' there is no benefit to leaving them running.

Running Costs Summary

What are the running costs? Below is an approximate guide on the different running costs of household items (based on 38c/kWhr)

*Cost per day is based on 8 hours of operation. Cost per year is based on 8 hours of operation 365 days a year. Whilst we understand you will not run a dishwasher or large ducted air conditioner for 8 hours 365 days a year, the purpose of the table is to illustrate how energy efficient a ceiling fan is vs other appliances.

Quiet Ceiling Fans in Australia

One of the most common questions that we receive is 'what is the most quiet ceiling fan?'. For a ceiling fan quietness is an important consideration, so we have put together some of our top picks for 2023 based on low noise output. A ceiling fan that operates in near silence is a big requirement for a bedroom ceiling fan, with the ideal being a fan that generates a gentle breeze whilst you are sleeping. Whilst we have included many suitable bedroom fans in our summary below, you may also wish to read our top 10 bedroom fan award winners, where we specifically review bedroom fans against this and other criteria that are important for bedroom use.

1. Fanco Eco Silent DC Ceiling Fan

The Eco Silent has been one of our best selling quiet ceiling fans for the last couple of years, for a number of reasons and one of the main reasons is how perfect the fan is for a bedroom. The fan is CHOICE recommended, and comes equipped with an energy saving DC motor. With 5 speeds to choose from the first couple of speeds are great for generating a gentle breeze. For these reasons we have picked the Eco Silent as our primary choice for a quiet fan.

Below are some recent reviews of this fan taken from Product Review:

"I purchased 7 fans, the purchasing process was simple and delivery was quick considering it was over the Xmas break. Only down point was that 4 (larger) fans were initially delivered, wasn’t until I made contact that I was informed that they were out of stock of the smaller fans which were no longer being manufactured. I selected an alternative which were subsequently delivered very quickly. All installed and work well. Very quiet and move a lot of air. Once I made contact communication was great and some money refunded quickly. Would happily recommend."

"The Eco Silent fans we purchased have been installed in our bed rooms and are indeed very quiet. The remote control functionality works well, I really like the reverse button. The bed rooms are standard double bed size and the fan moves the air easily on the 3 setting during the day and we only need 1 at night. The light in the fan is excellent and easily fills the room. It is perhaps a bit too bright when you turn the light on during the night, but, during the day its excellent. The fan did not need the balancing kit that came with it, there was no rocking or rolling once it was installed and tested."

Read more about the Eco Silent on Product Review.

2. Claro Whisper Ceiling Fan

If you are looking for a reliable and modern ceiling fan, look no further than the Claro Whisper Ceiling Fan. One of our best-selling ceiling fans, both in terms of performance and excellent price point. The fan features three delicately contoured blades and a DC motor, which work together seamlessly to ensure quiet operation and excellent performance. The Whisper is available both with and without light. What’s more, the model with light allows you to easily control both CCT and dimming functionality via the remote control.

For lower-than-average ceiling rakes, the Whisper is also available in a Low-Profile design with a minimal 180mm ceiling-to-blade drop.

“I love that this fan is suitable for lower ceilings and tall people! The profile of the fan works in an older home, but is also modern enough for new homes. Its lowest power setting is strong enough to get the air moving without disturbing paperwork, and the remote control is easy to use. There is no wobble in the fan, and it is practically silent.”

“Great for the bedroom and office. We have one of these in our bedroom and office. It’s quiet, energy efficient, and moves a lot of air. Made a huge difference to the comfort of our home.”

Read more about the Claro Whisper on Product Review.

3. Aeratron Ceiling Fan

Recently Aeratron released two new models, the AE+ and the FR range. With over 30 models to choose from the Aeratron is available in a number of sizes and colours. The Aeratron has won international awards in recognition of its energy efficiency and low noise output. The unique curvature of the airfoil blade provides great airflow and its a popular choice with designers and architects.

The patented self balancing system on the Aeratron ensures reliable performance keeping the blades in 'dynamic equilibrium'. The optimised contours of the three dimensional blades result in a highly engineered product designed to minimise noise and optimise efficiency.

4. Infinity-iD DC Ceiling Fan

Firstly our customers seem to love the Infinity-i ceiling fan for its awesome looks, the motor housing is impressively small and looks great in conjunction with the Scandinavian style blades. Similarly to the Eco Breeze this blade design is lightweight and cuts through the air gently resulting in minimal noise.

"Amazing fan! Simple but stylish and has become quite the feature in my home. It's so quiet too! A perfect breeze and great on those hot nights! Would highly recommend to anyone."

"We needed a fan for our cabin in the bush. This was the perfect size to push the air conditioning from another room into our bedroom. Perfect for those days when warm but not warm enough for air con. Very quiet & easy to use. I would recommended this product & the customer service was beyond good."

Read more about the Infinity-i on Product Review.

Want to know our recommendations based on things like best bedroom fan, best outdoor fan, best fan with light and more? Head over to our Ceiling Fans Awards page! We update this page every few months to ensure we are reveiwing the latest models.

What makes a ceiling fan quiet?

There are many factors that contribute to a ceiling fan being quieter than another. Things like built quality and correct installation contribute to no audible clunky noises. Thankfully the technology that goes into making a ceiling fan has improved so much over the years that this is now rarely an issue with models that are available for purchase at Fansonline.

Motor Type - DC motors take advantage of newer technology and in most cases result in a quieter fan. They are more energy efficient than an AC motor, typically requiring somewhere between 25-35 watts to operate whilst providing the same or higher airflow in comparison to an AC motor.

Efficiency - An efficient fan will typically have a low wattage DC motor, but also an aerodynamic blade that maximises air movement whilst reducing drag and the literal noise of a blade cutting through the air.

Revolutions per Minute - This indicates how quickly the fan spins. A fan with low RPM's will mean that the air is moved gently which can often mean that it is quieter.

Overall Build Quality - Poor quality fans can result in clicking, ticking or clunking noises. A well constructed fan installed by a competent Electrician should be noise free.

Air Noise - This is largely unavoidable, in correlation with high airflow comes the audible noise of the air actually being moved downwards, creating the cooling effect. This is typically only really noticeable on the higher speeds. One of the reasons we really like DC fans is the range of speeds on offer.

Ensure that your fan is well maintained - regularly clean the blades with a damp cloth, excessive build up of dust is unsightly and could result in fan imbalance.

What are ABS ceiling fans?

What Are ABS Ceiling Fans?

ABS plastic is a fairly new material in the ceiling fan market, but it’s already popular with both manufacturers and consumers. It's not hard to see why. Because it’s relatively easy to create unique and interesting shapes out of ABS, this material opens up a lot of design possibilities for ceiling fans.

To see what we mean, take a look at the Swish ceiling fan. Creating this shape with ABS plastic is much easier than using either timber or metal – two other popular materials to make ceiling fans. 

We used the Swish as an example because it shows how far plastic allows manufacturers to push boundaries when they create new designs. However, there are subtler designs which benefit from ABS’ unique properties. The Infinity (below)  is one of our best-selling fans, and has a clean minimalist design. But when you look closer at the Infinity, you can see that its blades also have their own unique shape. The blade pitch is variable, turning outward as the blades extend from the fan's motor. Again, this design is possible because of ABS plastic. Unlike timber or metal, which needs to be cut or carved into shape, ABS plastic can be poured into a mould to create delicate twists and turns. 

What Is ABS Plastic?

ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a type of thermoplastic. Each different thermoplastic has its own “glass transition” temperature. This is the point where it achieves a liquid state and can easily be injected into a mould. ABS’s glass transition point is when its heated to approximately 105 degrees Celsius - only slightly warmer than the point which boils water.

This allows manufacturers to create unique and interesting shapes at a relatively low cost. Although timber can be cut by machine or hand carved, it's easier to create unique shapes with plastic. As for metal, its melting point is much higher than thermoplastic. This means that experimenting with shapes would be a more energy intensive and expensive process.

Why Choose An ABS Plastic Fan?

If you find a metal or timber blade design you prefer to the ABS options, go for it! However, there are some installations where a fan with plastic blades gives you more options. If you’re installing a ceiling fan outdoors, there will be less models with either timber blade or metal models.

Other Advantages of ABS Ceiling Fans:

Outdoor options: check out our outdoor ceiling fans to find the vast majority of outdoor fans have ABS plastic blades.

Beautiful Colour Finishes (including timber look): If you have your heart set on warm timber hues, it’s still worth looking at some of models with plastic blades. “Timber look” plastic blades are beginning to look more and more like the real thing every year, so don’t rule out them out!

Lightweight: Because plastic blades aren’t heavy, they can be crafted into more aerodynamic shapes. Of course, this varies from model to model, so check the airflow specifications when you’re comparing fans.

Ceiling Fans for Angled Ceilings

Which ceiling fans are most suitable and why?

Angled ceilings create drama and impact in contemporary home design. Sloped ceilings are a popular architectural feature which create the illusion of space, making the room light and airy, and providing a strong focal point. Most pitched rooms have either a single angled (or raked) ceiling, or two sloped ceiling planes meeting along a centre line.

So, how do you ventilate these stylish lofty spaces in your home?

Am I able to install a ceiling fan in my space?

Choosing the right fan can be stressful. Here, we show you how to select the best fan (with the right canopy) for your sloped ceiling.
TIP: The canopy is the domed cap that covers the base of the fan where it meets the ceiling. This is the all-important feature when buying a fan to mount on a pitched surface.
Selecting the right fan from the start will save you time and money. And stop you pulling your hair out when your electrician says – no, this one won’t work here!

We have an extensive range of ceiling fans for angled ceilings. Here are a few models for ceilings angled up to 15 degrees:

Eco Silent Deluxe

The Eco Silent Deluxe has a canopy suitable for angled ceilings up to 15 degrees. Modern design paired with a classic blade style

View all Eco Silent Deluxe Models

Eco Style DC

The Eco Style is one of the most popular fans this year, suitable for angles ceilings up to 15 degrees

View all Eco Style DC Models

Claro Whisper DC

The Claro Whisper has a great design and discrete look to match any home décor. Suitable for angled ceilings up to 15 degrees.

View all Claro Whisper Models

It’s important to choose a ceiling fan designed specially to suit angled ceilings. And the exact angle (or pitch) of your ceiling is important too. Certain ceiling fans work for certain angles. Some suit high pitches, while others work best for low pitches, and some are for flat ceilings only.

So first, you need to calculate the angle of your ceiling. It’s easy with our handy ceiling angle calculator.

Calculating your Ceiling Angle

When calculating your ceiling angle, you need to know the rise and the run of your ceiling. Sound tricky? Not at all.
The rise is the difference between the highest point (A) and lowest point (B) of your ceiling. And the run is the distance between the highest point (A) and the lowest point (B) of your ceiling.

Important: When calculating the run, the distance is measured straight along the floor, not following the ceiling slope up.

How to calculate your ceiling angle

We've put together an easy table to help you work out how steep your ceiling is. We've done the hard work of calculating the angles, but before you can use the table, you will need to know your ceiling's rise and run. If you're not familiar with these terms, don't worry! Just follow the steps below, and you'll be ready to use the table.

You will need:

• Measuring tape
• Ladder
• A friend
• The table at the bottom of this page

Step 1: Ask your friend to help you measure the ceiling height at its highest point of the slope you'd like to install your fan on. Make a note of the height, and call it Point A.

Step 2: Measure the ceiling height at its lowest point, this is Point B.

Step 3:  To find the "Rise" we mentioned earlier, Subtract Point B from Point A. Once you have the answer find the corresponding number on the top row of our Ceiling Rake Calulator Table below.

Step 4: Measure the horizontal distance between Point A and Point B. This is called the "Run"

Step 5: Use the table below to find your ceiling angle. If your ceiling rake exceeds 44 degrees, we don't carry any suitable products for your ceiling at present. You may need to consider a wall fan or pedestal fan.

Check the exact specifications on the fan model you’re interested in to see the maximum ceiling angle the fan works for.

Which types of fans are suitable for sloped ceilings?

Fans with a ball-joint mechanism are designed for both flat and angled ceilings. The ball joint sits inside the ceiling and allows the fan to hang straight down from either a flat or pitched surface.

If you need extra clearance for your fan blades, you can add a rod extension kit to your fan to make it hang lower.

Important note: Most AC motor ceiling fans are wall controlled. If you plan to add a remote control to your AC motor fan, this may limit your choices of fan for sloped ceilings.
Why?
The remote’s receiver sits inside the fan’s canopy at the base of the fan. This takes up space and can limit how far the fan can tilt. We try to list the maximum ceiling angle – both with and without remote control – for each model. Sometimes this information isn’t available at time of publication. Please check with our helpful team if you’re not sure.

Image Credits – Plympton Residence – Project by Contech, Photography David Sievers

Examples of ceiling fan models suited to different ceiling angles

Best Choice for Flat or Low Ceilings

Studio DC

A sleek, low-profile fan suitable for flat or low ceilings only: ceilings with low or no rake.

View all Studio DC Models

Best Choice for Small Rakes

Infinity ID DC

A powerful contemporary fan for indoor and outdoor use, suitable for a small rake only: low ceiling angle

View all Infinity ID DC Models

Accessory Options for High-Pitched Ceilings

If you have a highly angled ceiling another option is using a ceiling mount kit. The Hunter Pacific rake kit is used for modifying a range of compatible fans, making them suitable for high-pitched ceilings up to 38 degrees. If you have a highly angled ceiling (more than 20 degrees), we would highly recommend you contact us directly to find the best option for you.

Borrowing from the drama and appeal of traditional cathedral ceilings, angled ceilings add style and panache to your contemporary home. And the perfect ceiling fans complete the picture. If you have questions about choosing the best ceiling fan for your sloped ceiling, contact our friendly experienced team for more information.

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Ceiling Fan Direction for Winter and Summer

Everybody understands how a ceiling fan works in the summer, but it is not common knowledge that a ceiling fan can actually be used in the winter months as well. The way this works is relatively simple, during winter the fan operates in reverse. This helps distribute warm air around the room. In this PRO BLOG we take a look at how this works and the benefits, which include lowering your heating bills!

Which Direction Should a Ceiling Fan go in Summer and in Winter?

The majority of ceiling fans rotate clockwise on Winter mode and anti-clockwise on Summer mode. Like most functions, this can vary between models, but it’s fairly easy to tell if your fan is on the wrong setting. If you stand underneath a fan on Summer mode, you will feel the wind chill effect of the air moving around you. On Winter mode, you won’t feel this effect.

Exactly how does a ceiling fan in winter work?

During the winter months when it gets cold outside we generally use heating to increase the temperature within the house. This is achieved by means such as ducted heating solutions, fireplaces, freestanding heaters etc. Heat rises, which means that a lot of the warm air ends up rising up to ceiling level, leaving the lower portion of the room significantly cooler. This means that to achieve a warm living space you would generally need to turn up the heater even more. This is particularly a problem in rooms that have high ceilings.

If you have this problem a ceiling fan in reverse will assist greatly. When you put the ceiling fan in reverse it will no longer create the downward cooling effect. It will instead pull air upwards from the centre of the room and push it back down the walls. Take a look at the ceiling fan in reverse diagram below for more information. This results in a more stable temperature, instead of having extremes of hot and cold at the top and bottom of the room.

How to put your ceiling fan in reverse or winter mode?

This will vary from model to model. The vast majority of ceiling fans will have a switch on the side of the motor. This is usually labelled as forward and reverse or summer and winter. Simply flick the switch to engage the relevant rotation. Some newer models will have this reverse function built into the remote control (if one is supplied). It is recommended to check on each particular model to see how it can be reversed. Once in reverse mode the fan should rotate clockwise and generally the fan will only need to be set to a low speed, all you need to achieve is a gentle updraft for your ceiling fan to be effective this winter.

Use your ceiling fan in winter to save money!

By bringing the warm air down from ceiling level it means that you do not need to set your thermostat to be at such a high temperature to achieve a comfortable and warm environment. Ceiling fans are relatively inexpensive to run, especially when compared to power hungry heating solutions. If by using a ceiling fan in the winter it means you can drop your heater by a few degrees there is no doubt you will be making a saving on your energy costs. Whilst exact savings will vary it is not uncommon for a saving of up to 15% by using your fan in reverse.

Ceiling Fan in reverse benefits summary

• Helps distribute heat more evenly throughout the room or living area
• This results in a room that feels warmer and more comfortable
• Means you may be able to lower your heater by a few degrees
• Ceiling fans are generally low wattage which equates to an increase in efficiency

View our range of ceiling fans here

*Images are for illustrative purposes only and are not indicative of actual temperature levels. Actual temperatures will vary depending on external factors such as heat source, external temperature, insulation etc. The imagery is intended to illustrate the fact that a stable temperature can be achieved when using a fan in reverse

Updated on 5th April 2022