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Steve Cicero/Getty Images June 29, 2022 Sean Jackson is a creative copywriter living in Florida. He’s written articles for Realtor.com, CNET and ZDNet. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. They may seem rather old-fashioned, but ceiling fans are actually a versatile bit of technology — a blast from the past that has a place in the most . Not only do they keep rooms cool and comfortable, but they can also save you money on your bills. At the height of summer, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting with no reduction in comfort, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. At night or during moderately hot weather, ceiling fans may allow you to avoid using your air conditioner altogether, thanks to their . That can prolong its life and keep your energy costs manageable — financial wizardry at its finest. How much do ceiling fans cost to install? Indoor ceiling fans average between , while outdoor fans range from $300 to $900. Our guide highlights the different kinds of ceiling fans available, factors influencing price, and how to determine how much fan you need for a particular room.
What are the different kinds of ceiling fans
Ceiling fans are like the shoes of home improvement. They come in a variety of architectural styles, from farmhouse-rustic to industrial modern to tropical to Victorian, and with lights to match. There are even “fandeliers” — fans that incorporate chandeliers. Style aside, fans do come in certain standard types. Standard
Standard ceiling fans average . With blades rotating parallel to the ceiling, these are the most common types found in homes and apartments. Some will also include a light fixture and dimmers to set the mood. What’s unique about standard ceiling fans is you can find them in every style and finish, making them enticing for all design tastes. Low-profile
Similar to standard fans, low-profile derive their name from their close location to the ; they lack any sort of downrod (see below), which makes them an ideal fit for rooms eight feet high or less. Costs for these models vary from . Hanging propeller
The main characteristic of hanging propeller fans is they reach lower than other models: The fan’s propeller and blades hang from downrod, or pole. It makes them a suitable option for rooms with (aim for nine feet or more). Extremely good at pushing air, propeller fans can also be fantastic for retaining heat in the winter through reverse flow of their blades, making a room feel warmer. The costs for these fans are . Directional
Directional ceiling fans give you the ability to target specific areas with air. They achieve this by pointing in the direction of your choosing. You’ll have to budget more for these as they run from . Rotational ceiling fans
These models feature dual motors. It allows them to push more air, making them perfect for larger rooms. Rotational ceiling fans tend to be one of the more expensive types to buy, with prices ranging from.
What affects the cost of ceiling fans
Many factors are nibbling at your budget. One of the biggest influences is materials. If you keep things plastic, you’ll only pay between Meanwhile, jazzing it up with aluminum ($60-$400), steel ($70-$1,500), or wood/rattan ($100-$1,400) can drive up the costs significantly. Another factor impacting prices is the number of blades your fan has. Two blades set you back $150-$500, while six blades can cost from $200 to $600. Of course, the more your fan has to work with, the better it will circulate air, and the more comfortable the room will feel. You’ll also want to pay attention to the fan’s rating, especially if you are considering it for an outdoor area. The rating reflects the degree of moisture-resistance the fan has. Dry-rated ceiling fans ($100-$1,100) are perfect for indoor areas where you won’t have to contend with the wet. For garages, porches, or any enclosed areas where there could be a presence of high humidity, you want damp-rated fans ($125 to $1,100). And for spaces open to the elements, like covered patios or decks, you’ll want to add wet-rated fans. These can resist the charms of rain. But they’re also expensive, with models ranging from $150 to $1,200. And let’s not forget about the size of the downrod, the pipe connecting the fan’s motor to its blades. The longer the downrod, the more expensive the fan: Ceiling Height Downrod length (inches) Materials cost Source: 9 feet 6 $3-$20 10 feet 12 $6-$85 12 feet 24 $11-$75 14 feet 36 $10-$75 16 feet 48 $25-$100 18 feet 60 $30-$100 20 feet 72 $35-$110 Installation
Labor costs average . Increasing prices is adding wiring. Doing this could increase the project expenditures by another $150 to $500, depending on its complexity. Unless you possess extensive experience in wiring, you’ll need to hire an electrician to do the job. And this could cost anywhere from $350 to $2,000. You could go the if the electrical wiring is already in place on your ceiling — it’s not that different from . Leonard Ang, CEO of adds, “In terms of wiring difficulty, ceiling fans usually aren’t too bad unless they have lots of extra features like multiple switches for different lights or something similar.” Still, ceiling fans are heavy and unwieldy; so it might be best to have an electrician or other pro do it, “Hire a professional to hang your ceiling fan to ensure it’s secure, centered, and balanced. Unbalanced ceiling fans tend to wobble, hum, rattle, and fall down if you’re not careful,” Ang remarks.
How big should a ceiling fan be
Of course, the size of the fan itself is going to affect its cost, too — the bigger it gets, the pricier it gets. Which leads to the question: What size fan do you need? It mainly depends on the room size. You want the right proportion, both for looks (you don’t want the fan to overwhelm the space) and for efficiency (you want to feel a breeze, but don’t want to be blown to bits). Fans work most efficiently when the blades are 7 to 9 feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling, the Dept. of Energy advises. Ideally, the blades should be no closer than 8 inches to the ceiling and 18 inches from the walls. For example, according to estimates, a room that’s 75 sq.ft. or less could accommodate at a maximum a 36-inch fan, which could cost up to $300, on average. A room that goes up to 144 sq.ft. could take up to a 44-inch fan (up to $500). For a room of 225 sq.ft., a fan approaching 54 inches would be suitable (max cost: $600). Fans that are 72 inches ($650) should be used in really large rooms or spaces — like 400 sq. ft.
What do ceiling fans cost to run
Ceiling fans are cheap to run continuously. How cheap? “The cost to operate your ceiling fan will depend on its size and efficiency, but no matter what, it will be way cheaper than air conditioning,” says , a Charleston, South Carolina-based . “A typical fan will most often only cost a few pennies a day, even when it has been running all day. Compared to your air conditioning, that’s a no-brainer. “ And when it comes to time to make repairs to your efficient machine, they can run from . Overall, ceiling fans offer exceptional efficiency and that can help pay for themselves and keep you comfortable. Talk about versatile beings. SHARE: Sean Jackson is a creative copywriter living in Florida. He’s written articles for Realtor.com, CNET and ZDNet. Troy Segal is Bankrate's Senior Homeownership Editor, focusing on everything from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value. Related Articles