Ceiling Fans in the Home Debate: Pros and Cons
If you’re building a home, remodeling, or just thinking about replacing a ceiling fan in your home, you may be wondering if ceiling fans are a thing of the past. There are arguments that go both ways on this topic. But the ultimate decision comes down to personal preference, so I’ll run you through some pros and cons of having ceiling fans in your home.
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Yes, It’s Okay to Have Ceiling Fans in Your Home
I’ll start by saying that, yes, I do have ceiling fans in most of the rooms in my home. I wasn’t thrilled about it at first because the fans that came with my old home were UGLY. But I’ve discovered how to update my old ceiling fans to give them a modern look and have replaced some with new, modern fans.
I love the look of farmhouse ceiling fans that have a matte black metal finish with faux wood grain blades. This is the look I’m after when I have completed my DIY ceiling fan makeovers. There are also really nice, sleek modern options available. So let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros
Let’s start with the pros of having ceiling fans in your home because, let’s be honest – you’re here because ceiling fans are a serious consideration for your home, and you’re just not sure you’re on board.
- Energy Efficiency: Ceiling fans are very efficient and use less electricity than air conditioning and heating units. They circulate air in the room, which enhances the efficiency of your cooling and heating units. During the summer, switch the blades to spin counterclockwise, causing a downdraft and keeping the space cooler. During winter, the blades should spin clockwise to create an updraft that pushes warm air throughout the room (warm air rises, remember grade school science?). If you’d like to read more about this concept, check out Hunter Fan Company’s in-depth article about it.
- Create a Breeze: Ceiling fans create a breeze effect, which makes your room feel cooler during the summer – often by several degrees! This means you can set your thermostat a little higher without sweating your tail off. We all enjoy some energy savings, right?
- Lighting: Depending on your needs and style, many ceiling fans come equipped with lighting fixtures. The ability to move air AND light your room makes ceiling fans a very functional addition to your home.
- Create a Focal Point: No matter the aesthetic of your home, ceiling fans can create a strong focal point in your room that compliments your style. There are thousands of ceiling fan options in traditional and modern styles that include a variety of finish colors, blade styles, and light bulb styles.
- Install in an Outdoor Space: Yes, you read that right! It may sound crazy, but you can install a ceiling fan in an outdoor space of your home. Think outdoor kitchen or screened porch/patio. The fan moves air around the space, just as it would indoors, helping keep the area cooler. Added bonus: the extra air movement will help reduce the bug nuisance.
Cons
Now for the cons of ceiling fans in the home.
- Noise: A properly working ceiling fan will make nearly no noise whatsoever. But if it is not properly maintained, things can start to go wrong. Electrical maintenance is necessary to keep the motor running properly. The blades may also loosen over time, making the sound of the motor more noticeable.
- Lighting: Yeah, I know I listed this as a pro. But some fans come with very poor lighting fixtures. I actually ran into this issue myself when I purchased a new fan for my dining room. In my case, the fan I chose only had two bulbs. When installed with 800-lumen bulbs, it felt like we were eating in the dark.
- Cleaning: Ugh. I probably should have listed this as the number one con. Ceiling fans are usually hard to reach, making them easy to forget to clean. Plus, the small nooks and crannies make it even more difficult, especially when working from a ladder or step stool.
Are You Pro Ceiling Fan or Anti-Ceiling Fan?
As I mentioned above, it all comes down to personal preference with ceiling fans in the home. What works for some doesn’t work for others. Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to use an all-or-nothing approach. Ceiling fans may work well in your bedroom, but other light fixtures are best in your living and dining rooms. So if ceiling fans are a necessity in your home, don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise!
I’d like to hear your opinion – are you Team Ceiling Fan or Team NO Ceiling Fan? Let me know in the comments!
