How to Size Ceiling Fans

A ceiling fan is an energy efficient way to keep your home cool in the summer months and circulate heat in the winter. A fan can also be a design element in a room. Ceiling fans are available in a wide array of styles and sizes. Determining the appropriate size of ceiling fan for your room is relatively easy; as a general rule, larger rooms will benefit from larger fan blades.

Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Take measurements of both the length and width of your room. Multiple the two measurements to determine the room's square footage.
- 2
  Use the American Lighting Association's Guide to determine the appropriate fan size, based on the footage of your room. The figures below represent the diameter of the fan, not the length of the blades, or radius.
  
  Small rooms up to 75 square feet -- fan size 36 inches or smaller
  
  Medium-size rooms up to 144 square feet -- fan size 36 inches to 42 inches
  
  Larger bedrooms and family rooms up to 225 square feet -- fan size 50 inches to 54 inches
- 3
  Measure the distance between the wall and where the fan blade will end; there should be at least 18 inches of clearance between the blade and the wall. If there isn't, use a smaller fan blade.

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