If you are looking to learn everything possible about windmill ceiling fans, you have come to the right place. We reviewed dozens of ceiling fans to find the very best windmill ceiling fans. We also wrote extensively about key factors to look for in our buyer’s guide. Be sure to check it out below. We hope you find this guide useful. Enjoy!
This modern design fan has a 66” blade span to drive massive fresh air with ease. Each Barnwood blade comes coated with a premium-quality weather-resistant aluminum finish. The ceiling fan comes with 8 blades and features six speed settings to facilitate massive airflow.
The DC motor used delivers powerful performance. It is superior to other AC motor fans. Moreover, it keeps the fan running smooth and saves 70% on you AC bill. That’s why it is Energy Star qualified.
The fan has a 20W dimmable LED downlight. You can control the light and the fan speed with a Bluetooth hand-held remote control. You can also order wall control and Wi-Fi touch panel separately. This will allow its easy operation through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung Smart Things, Nest, and Ecobee.
One of the most reputable ceiling fan manufacturing brands, Modern Forms, offers energy efficient smart ceiling fans for its customers. The designs are sure to complement any décor. But this mode is best suitable for smart homes with larger families.
The Monte Carlo 72″ Prairie Windmill in Aged Pewter is a stunner. It boasts an efficient DC motor, which we strongly recommend over AC motors (read our buyer’s guide below for more details). Prairie comes in two distinct finishes – Aged Pewter with Light Grey Weathered Oak blades and Brushed Steel with Washed Grey/Silver reversible blades.
Prairie has a wind speed factor of 2.32 MPH producing a very light breeze and cooling effect. The airflow is 7128 CPM which is a lot of airflow to be spread over a large area. The 72” Prairie runs a smooth and quiet operation.
The eco-friendly integrated 15W LED downlight with 740 net lumens is covered with a frosted Lexan shade. It includes a 6-speed remote control that adds to the functionality of this fan.
All 72” Prairie fans come with a finishing bottom cap for use with or without a light kit fixture. The 14-bladed fan includes a reverse function to stay warm in the winter months as well. You can read more about reverse functions in our buyer’s guide below. The Prairie is rated for indoor use only.
The Monte Carlo Company has been in the business of providing top-notch fan and fan accessories. Their main focus is to produce durable yet eco-friendly fans.
The Windmolen is a smart ceiling fan that provides more than enough airflow with 12 blades intertwined. Streamlined with an integrated 40 Watt LED light for added light output, it is rated for indoor use only.
This fan includes the BOND Wi-Fi home automation device that allows you to control up to 6 fans with voice commands from Alexa and Google Assistant. You can turn the lights on and off with voice commands as well.
The 123mm x 30mm Motor size fan also includes the Minka Aire RC400 6 speed hand held remote control that avails you different options, such as the BOND device or the use of a remote in conjunction with voice automation. So in other words, you have options on how you want to control it.
It has a 3.46 MPH wind-speed factor and 8848 CFM Airflow enabling great breeze wind-chill air movement. It includes a reverse function and cannot be installed without lights. Worth noting, it cannot be flush mounted.
The blade is a 24 degree blade pitch with 80” lead-wire length. The blade color comes in a Bleached Ashwood Blades with finished blades included. The Windmolen is an efficient fan that does not wobble, it runs quietly and is premium quality.
Minka-Aire is a ceiling fan collection known to produce quality and beautiful designs to fit the modern-day lifestyle.
This 65″ LED Gentry ceiling fan sure knows how to make an impression, both visually and with airflow. The LED light source delivers 1,600 lumens of output, about the equivalent of a 150-watt incandescent light bulb, for terrific ambient light.
The 65” LED 9-bladed Gentry ceiling fan is a visual and stylish one with its industrial era-inspired Distressed Black finish which includes a 6 speed remote control with a forward and reverse function.
It cannot be flush mounted nor installed without lights. The Kichler 65″ Gentry is rated for indoor and outdoor use but cannot be used directly with rain. It includes 9 blades with 65” Blade span, 14 degree blade pitch and 75” lead-wire length
It has a wind-speed factor of 3.15 MPH and airflow of 8061 CFM. 8061 CFM is a lot of airflow and is far above average, which is very good news if you are looking to buy a ceiling fan that can really cool you off. This is the type of fan that will save you a solid amount off your energy bill in the summer.
The Kichler fans are quite the catch as they dual as experts for modern and rustic industrial ceiling fans. Kichler fans run smooth and quiet without wobbling or making noise and it can run 24 hours a day for years on end without any worries of the motor burning out.
The Quorum 72″ Windmill Ceiling Fan (Outdoor) in Noir features a fully functional hand held remote control featuring 6 Speeds with Reverse function and a Full Range Light Dimmer.
The motor can run at 6 different speeds so you can choose the perfect setting. It has a 72” blade span, a 30 degree blade pitch and an 80” lead-wire length. It has wind-speed factor of 2.11 MPH and a 6486 CFM airflow.
Quorum 72″ features rustic styling and is rated for indoor and outdoor use but cannot be used directly in the rain. It includes a reverse function but cannot be flush mounted
Quorum 72″ is an energy-saving fan powered by an efficient DC 165L Motor and uses 110 volt electricity to power it. The blades comes in a Weathered Oak blades finish with finished blades included.
The Quorum 72″ Windmill Ceiling Fan (Outdoor) in Noir will allow you to raise your thermostat by 1 or 2 degrees allowing for cost cutting on AC bills.
Quorum 72” is a high quality product that amplifies the style in your home. It is available in dry rated indoor models and damp rated outdoor models in 44″, 52″, 60″ and 72″ blade spans. It is built for durability and great performance
This unique piece of art was manufactured by Quorum. Quorum is a top-notch brand known to produce fans built for durability and performance
The Quorum 52″ Windmill Ceiling Fan comes in Oiled Bronze with Weathered Oak blades (finished blades inclusive). It uses a 110 volt electricity.
This stunner fan has a super efficient DC 165L Motor that features a hand held remote control. It also features 6 speeds with reverse function and a full range light dimmer. There is the choice of control with the remote if a dimming light is added.
Quorum 52” has ceiling blades with a 52” span and 30 degree blade pitch. It does not include a flush mount capability. It has a 2.7 MPH wind-speed factor and 5982 CPM airflow. Its lead-wire length runs to 80”. This fan is rated for indoor use only.
Performance varies, depending on application factors such as ceiling height, room size, blade selection type and climate. Due to its low wind-speed factor and large blades, Quorum 52” produces a very light breeze.
The design enables the breeze to be spread over a larger area making the concentration of the airflow lesser than that of normal size fans.
Quorum has a reputation of producing sleek fans without compromising quality and durability. Quorum comes in various blades and styles.
Quorum 92″ Mykonos Ceiling Fan in Noir takes the windmill style ceiling fan to a more contemporary level by adding canvas blades for a stylish look.
It comes as an 18 degree blade pitch and 92” blade span ceiling fan. It has a voluminous side to it with its unique 10-blade design. It has a catchy design with intelligent dual controls – wall, remote and a robust 6-speed motor. It includes an 8” downrod and an 80” lead-wire length.
The 10-bladed ceiling fan includes a 6 speed wall control with reverse and light dimmer for DC fans. It also works in conjunction with optional remote control model 8-9860-0.
Quorum 92″ Mykonos accepts universal light kits but cannot be flush mounted.
The Quorum 92″ Mykonos Ceiling Fan in Noir ceiling fan is for indoor use only. It is not designed to be exposed to moisture or harsh elements. Do not install this fan outside your house. It is also not recommended for bathrooms that have a shower or tub or laundry rooms, both of which produce excessive amounts of moisture.
This ceiling fan is stylish, but due to the non-rigid canvas blades and low RPM, it does not produce very much airflow, so it is not recommended for areas where you need a lot of cooling effect.
Quorum is in the business of producing efficient fans that accounts for a smooth and durable operation with a considerable amount of cooling breeze chill effect. They take the art of making contemporary styled fans to the next level.
This 12-blade, 60” ceiling fan was inspired by the form and function of a windmill and is ideal for Farmhouses, Industrial, and Transitional interior settings.
The Springer ceiling fan with Antique Nickel finish and White Barnwood blades features an efficient, powerful and quiet DC Motor with an 8” downrod. Excluding lights, the energy consumption is 32 watts. It has a wind-speed factor – 2.92 MPH, Airflow – 6485 CPM and 80” lead-wire length.
The 12-bladed windmill fan includes a full function 6-speed remote with batteries and reverse direction control.
Springer ceiling fan upholds its reputation in form and function by providing increased air circulation in rooms via the reverse function. It has a dual mount canopy that accommodates flat or sloped ceilings (sloped -22 degrees)
As a general rule of thumb, lighting experts suggest this fan is ideal in a room size that is larger than 400-square feet. It includes an oversized, texture die cast hanger ball that reduces noise and wobble vibrations.
The Springer 22 degree blade pitch is a stellar design and the indoor ceiling fan is ideal for use in great rooms, living rooms, bedrooms and bonus rooms.
Springer is a brand that flexes its stylish muscles by drawing focal point to the style of your interior with a rustic flair.
Quorum 60″ in Oiled Bronze is a windmill ceiling fan with a 60” blade span at 30 degree blade pitch. It is rated for both indoor and covered outdoor locations only. It accepts universal lights kits.
The fan features a Superefficient DC 165L Motor operated by an 8-9860-0 6 speed hand held control which aids the cross air movement due to its included reverse function allowing for exceptional air movement for years without noise nor wobbling.
The Quorum 60” has a 2.7 MPH wind-speed factor and 5982 CFM airflow allowing for light breeze wind-chill effect and air movement over a large area in a small room.
It is available in dry rated indoor models and damp rated outdoor models in 44″, 52″, 60″ and 72″ blade spans. It includes a Full Range Light Dimmer. Although the fan does not come with a light, if you do add a light, the dimming function is accessible on your control.
Quorum 60″ cannot be flush mounted but includes a 6” downrod and uses 110 Volt electricity.
Performance may vary depending on the circumstances of your application such as room size, ceiling height, blade selection and climate.
Quorum are the best manufacturers when it comes to finishing in fans. They have an eye for variety with the features they incorporate into their fans including the various blade option made available and dimensions.
Quorum 44″ in Oiled Bronze is a windmill ceiling fan with a 44” blade span at a 30 degree blade pitch. It is rated for both indoor and covered outdoor locations only. It accepts universal lights kits.
Quorum 44″ cannot be flush mounted but includes a 6” downrod and uses 110 Volt electricity. It has a spice of variety and option added to it as it comes in Weathered Oak Blades, Oiled bronze Blades and finished blades.
The fan features a Super efficient DC 165L Motor operated by a 6 Speed Wall Control which aids the cross air movement due to its included reverse function allowing for exceptional air movement for years on end.
The Quorum 44” has a 2.7 MPH wind-speed factor and 5982 CFM airflow allowing for light breeze wind-chill effect and air movement over a large area. The effect of this windmill ceiling fan is however optimal in a small room.
Quorum is a renowned company that produces high-quality modern ceiling fans at affordable prices. Their products are made with an emphasis on variety and style.
As an affiliate partner, we may earn from qualifying purchases made on these products.
A Guide to Buying Your First Windmill Ceiling Fan
We have a deep love for ceiling fans and live to help others understand these products as well as we do. That is why we took the time to write a windmill ceiling fan buyers’ guide.
Buying a windmill ceiling fan for the first time can be overwhelming. There are many options for fans and each fan has different styles, sizes, functionality, blades, and installation steps.
A windmill ceiling fan gives you the same functionality, air flow, and utility as other ceiling fans but they are different in their aesthetics.
As the name indicates, a windmill man looks like…a windmill! If you want a fan that looks like a standard windmill, then this fan design will leave you wanting for nothing.
There are certain unique aspects of windfill fans you will want to be aware of and we will now dive deeper into these topics.
What makes a windmill fan unique? Why should you buy one?
Windfill fans are popular because of how they look and how they perform. Let’s start with aesthetics.
Windmill fans usually have more than 12 blades. Some have as many as 20. All of these blades create a homely and beautifully balanced aesthetic in any room.
Why would someone want a fan with more blades?
Compared with fans that have clunky blade oars, windmill fans have blades that are pitched at shallower angles. This can make them better suited for lower ceilings.
All of these blades deliver the most compelling aspects of the fan beyond aesthetics: quiet air flow.
Windmill fans are among the quietest fans on the market. This makes them particularly well suited for bedrooms (and kids’ rooms specifically) or above dining room tables.
Windmill ceiling fans look great in a rustically designed room. The fan itself is both highly functional and acts as a charming artistic touch.
Lastly, windmill fans are incredibly effective for hot and humid environments. My friends in South Texas have a 16 blade windmill fan located centrally on their 14 foot roof.
They keep it going nearly year round and the fan provides a gentle, quiet, and impeccably consistent air flow through their central hallways and living room.
To summarize: windmill fans look unique and beautiful, are quiet, and produce impeccable air flows.
How to evaluate your next fan?
When looking to buy a windmill fan, most will give the most important aspects of the product first: the number of blades, the length of the blades, the angle of these blades, and the length of the downrod which connects the fan to the ceiling.
You can read this guide if you want an in-depth understanding of ceiling fans or you can skim it if you only want to better understand certain aspects of the fan itself.
This includes how to select a fan to buy, the types and angles of a windmill fan’s blades, the pros and cons of the AC and DC motors that power fans, and how to install the fan on your ceiling. If you follow this guide you can be confident that you are making a well informed buying decision.
We know all things ceiling fans and want to pass on our learnings and insights to help you.
Most importantly, we know that once you evaluate, select, and install a ceiling fan it will likely remain in place for many years to come. That is because ceiling fans can be heavy, expensive, and labor intensive to install.
A central air conditioning system consumes 3 kiloWatts, which is about 36 cents per hour. Running a fan only runs at 30 Watts, equivalent to only a cent per hour.
This makes windmill ceiling fans affordable and energy efficient alternatives that many people love as they are good for you, your wallet, and the environment.
Running a fan that turns off when a certain temperature range is reached is even more affordable.
Take the time to do research now before buying because the switching costs of changing your mind can be high.
Go through this evaluation check-list so that you better understand the types of motors, blades, installation units, and fans that exist. We encourage you to optimize for:
- Overall quality: in particular the speed of the motor to optimize for cooling efficacy and quietness.
- Aesthetics: in particular ensure that you are happy with how the fan looks, its color, shape, design, and blade count.
- Size: select the right size fan for the room you will be placing it in. Larger rooms require larger fans to create strong air flow.
Selecting the location of a ceiling fan: Inside or Outside
Most ceiling fans are used within the home. Others are for outdoor structures. Before deciding which type of fan to buy, determine where you will place it. A windmill ceiling fan can be placed just easily on a porch as it can a bedroom or a barn.
Understanding the placement of a ceiling fan will help you select other attributes – like size, speed, and sound – that will enhance your experience with the fan.
Outdoor fans require different electrical strategies and water-proof finishes. Please keep this mind throughout the guide as we largely focus our attention and advice to those people who want to install indoor fans.
If placing the windmill ceiling fan in an indoor room, measure the size of the room.
Bathrooms tend to be smaller than bedrooms which tend to be smaller than living rooms or kitchens.
Knowing the approximate size of the room in which the fan will be placed is important.
Larger fans are best suited to larger rooms as their blades and motors move greater volumes of air.
Ceiling Fan Size Chart
| Room (in feet) | Cubic Feet/Minute | Fan Size |
| 6′ x 6′ | 3,000 – 4,500 | Shop: 24″ to 36″ |
| 10′ x 10′ | 4,000 – 5,500 | Shop: 37″ to 48″ |
| 12′ x 12′ | 6,200 – 7,500 | Shop: 49″ to 56″ |
| 15′ x 15′ | 7,000 – 9,000 | Shop: 60″ to 72″ |
| Larger | 9,000 – 11,000 | Shop: 80″ to 99″ |
The length of the blade of the fan and the size of the room go hand in hand.
In short, if you have a large room, buy a larger fan. The bigger the fan the better.
The common sizes for ceiling fans are 36, 44 and 52 inches, with the large fans having a blade wingspan of 60 inches.
Of course you can technically go even larger, with the largest recreational home fans having up to 99 inches of wingspan.
99 inches is 8.25 feet. That is a large windmill fan indeed.
Measure the height of the ceiling and allow at least 7 feet and 6 inches of space.
It is wise and safe to place your fan at least 7 feet above your flooring.
Placing a ceiling fan high up protects tall individuals from hitting their head or having their hair caught while the fan is in motion. Fans need to be installed on ceilings and these installation bases take space as well.
An installation base is adjoined to a downrod, which is a simple piece of metal that the fan is connected to and hangs from.
The average American ceiling height today is 9 feet (2.7432 meters). This means that the average room can support a fan but with a shorter downrod.
If you have average sized ceilings you can afford to install no more than 1 foot and 6 inch downrods.
How to measure downrods and base mounts
A ceiling fan is composed of fan blades, a downrod, and an installation base.
The installation base attaches to the ceiling. The downrod connects to the base. And the fan itself hangs from the downrod.
Per the measurements mentioned above, the fan must be at least 7 feet and 6 inches above the ground if you have a standard 9 foot ceiling.
There is one exception: fans placed above beds, where you will not walk, require less height.
Many people enjoy selecting the fit and finish of the downrod as these pieces of metal or plastic come in different colors, shapes, and sizes and compliment the overall fan’s aesthetic.
As a general rule, more expensive ceiling fans enable you to have longer and more customizable downrods. The downdrods tend to be longer – between 6 and 18 inches.
This is for functionality and aesthetics. Cheaper ceiling fans sometimes have very short – or almost nonexistent downrods – because the base and the fan are fused together.
Design and Look: What to Think about the windmill fans general aesthetics
A hugely important aspect of a windmill ceiling fan is what it looks like. If you see the fan while lying in bed or while in your living room you will want it to look great.
The base and downrod are not nearly as important as the blades for how a fan looks in a room.
Blades come in different cuts, lengths, seizes, finishes, colors and of course quantities.
How many blades should the fan have?
At a minimum, a windmill fan will have four blades though more than 12 is the most common.
Blades add functionality and impact the air flow.
When you look at a fan that is turned on, the blades are hard to see. When the fan is stationary, however, the design and color of the blades will need to align with your preferences for style and decor.
Fans with four to six blades produce a lower pitch, softer volume noise output. Three blade fans use the air surrounding the fan most efficiently and require the least effort to clean as you have fewer blades and surface area to collect dust.
Windmill fans, always popular in kid’s rooms, have the most surface area of blades. This increases the effort to clean and dust these fans.
The color, material, and quantity of the blades impact how the fan looks and performs.
Another subtle variable is at play too: the angles of those blades. If the blades are too flat, they won’t whisk through the air and create air flows. We highly advise blades with angles between 12 and 14 degrees.
Nearly all of the fans we provide you here have angles in that range for optimal air circulation and air flow efficacy.
More than a fan: how a windmill fan provides lighting, symmetry, and aesthetic benefits.
Some people buy windmill fans simply to cool or heat a room. Others buy windmill fans because they can be elegant and add character to a home. Some windmill fans have lights and others do not.
If you are going to place your windmill fan in the center of a room – for example, your living room – you might do so at the expense of a central lighting system.
For this reason, adding lights to fans is popular. If you add lights you will want to also consider how easy it is to change the bulbs, especially if the fan is very high above your floor.
LED, Halogen, and Fluorescent lighting options are available on all fans that have integrated lighting.
Control Your Environment: Noise and Air Flow
Windmill fans without lights produce two types of energy outputs when they are on: noise and air-flow. Both will impact your experience with the fan. Fans with lights also produce illumination as an energy output.
Firstly, noise is a byproduct of any fan. The rotation of the blades and the motor can cause distinct sounds. Larger motors produce more power and, as a result, can generate more noise.
The good news is that noise can be mitigated.
Motors that are built from higher quality and durable screws, armature, bearings, windings, and rotors are more expensive.
Cheaper windmill fans have motors that usually produce more noise as a byproduct.
If you want a quieter fan, buy a more expensive one. You won’t regret it.
Please pay particular attention to this when considering which type of fan you will place in different rooms in your home. If you are considering a bedroom ceiling fan, it is prudent to optimize for minimal sound.
People tend to care less about noise when a fan is in a garage or bathroom.
The second type of energy output is air-flow.
Windmill fans can not only cool rooms, they can also heat rooms and reduce air moisture.
They substitute central cooling or work in conjunction with air conditioning.
Fans do not lower air temperatures. They produce air flows and circulation which can in turn create the effect of a windchill.
The wind chill temperature is how cold people feel. The air flow, which leads to evaporative cooling (deratification), is generated by the ceiling fan.
If you are using a fan for general room cooling, you will want a fan that accelerates the heat loss from exposed skin.
Put simply, you will want a fan that generates significant air-flows point downwards and towards the center of the room.
Air Flow Deep Dive: Cubic Feet per Minute
Air flow is the volume of air that is produced by the fan.
The most common way to measure air flow is Cubic Feet per Minute (or CFM).
All of the fans we review have a CFM rating so that you can easily compare how much air that each fan produces.
The average CFM is around 5,000.
For nearly all non-industrial use-cases, like your home bedroom, kitchen, living room, or garage, a CFM of 6,000-7,000 is optimal.
At this rate you will be left feeling cooler without greatly enhancing your energy bill or having papers strewn all over the place from the powerful wind currents that larger fans produce.
You might also see a measurement similar to CFM which is air (or wind) Miles Per Hour.
Much like measuring the speed at which one drives, a fan can have its air speed measured too.
Nearly all windmill fans produce between 3 and 5 Mile Per Hour air flows. Naturally, the higher the MPH, the stronger the air flows.
Controlling Your Fan and Your Energy Output for Efficiency
Mobile apps and the internet have changed how we communicate, manage, and control various technologies.
Windmill ceiling fans are no exception.
Ceiling fans are well suited for management by a digital switch, remote, or mobile app because you can power the fans on or off (or even alter the speed) from afar.
A connected fan is controlled via a remote control or smartphone. In contrast, less expensive and simpler fans are controlled via a manual switch.
Lastly, some windmill ceiling fans are controlled by chords. These are slightly less common than digital switches for this category of fan.
While chords are usually made long enough for all users to reach them, please keep in mind that this can cause discomfort or annoyance on high ceilings or fans that need to be frequently turned on or off.
If you plan on installing your fan over 9 feet above the ground, you should buy a fan that can be controlled digitally.
All ceiling fans can create air-flows bi-direactionally.
Usually a simple switch exists on the fan’s motor or external base that enables you to change the direction in which the blades rotate.
Changing the directional air propulsion is critical during the winter months.
Rather than have air convected from the center of the room for cooling, you will want air to move from the blades horizontally down through the walls.
Lateral air-flow is used for heating rooms and maintaining central warmth while reducing your energy bill.
Choosing the right ceiling fan direction
How you control your fan is correlated with how much energy your fan uses. Will you leave it running all the time? Or will you use smart logic to power it down after a certain amount of time?
We have gone above and beyond to think about fans not just as cooling mechanisms but as a tool that can help you save money while lowering your ecological footprint. These efforts will, most importantly, save you money.
Let me explain further.
When you use central cooling or air conditioners, you are physically reducing the temperature in a room.
An air conditioner sucks air into its ducts through a vent. This air cools the gas in the evaporator and as the heat is removed from the air, it is cooled. Cool air then flows into your room.
This process is energy intensive and expensive.
In contrast, a ceiling fan does not cool the room or remove heat. Rather, it moves air around which creates the feeling of cooling. Actual cooling is not occurring. Less energy out means less energy in. And in total this means a lower energy bill.
What a windmill Fan Looks Like To You and Others
This guide provides ample information pertaining to how a ceiling fan works and things you should be aware of before buying one or many fans for your home.
What we have not discussed in great depth is how a fan looks and the importance of design aesthetics.
A fan will need to fit aesthetically into your room and, as a result, you should think about material (wood, metal, plastic), color, and design patterns. Some questions to reflect on:
- Is the room light or dark? Is it naturally well lit or does it require lots of electrical light?
If your ceiling fan is going in the center of your living room, for example, you will likely want a fan with built-in lighting. This is because many living rooms have existing fixture hardware and wiring.
- Do you want a smart fan that connects with your digital applications and services (Google Home, Nest Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa)?
If you control other aspects of your home – like the temperature and humidity – via smart apps, you might want to add a ceiling fan as another connected Internet of Things device. Likewise if you have high ceilings and plan to install a fan that you can’t easily reach by hand.
Smart fans can be controlled via your phone, tablet, or voice, and these controls will make turning them on or off easier.
- Do you need a windmill fan?
Windmill fans can be harder to clean (more blades means more surface area for dust to land and accumulate). On the other hand, windmill fans are quiet and elegant.
This type of fan is also hugely popular in kids rooms and living rooms.
The windmill fans pay homage to an older design aesthetic.
While this fan is not modern chic it goes very well in rooms with wooden floors or darker walls because it is made of simple plastic or wood finishes, glass fiber reinforced polyester, and thin pulp-plastic infused blades.
- What color do you want the fan? What style finish do you want?
Sleek and minimalist fans have fewer blades. These fans, made of lightweight metal, have universal white, grey, or black finishes.
Where to buy a ceiling fan?
Windmill ceiling fans are heavy and can be difficult to fit in a car or to transport yourself unless you have a large vehicle or flat-bed truck. Given this, it makes a lot of sense to have your fan shipped to you so that it arrives ready for home assembly.
You can self-install a ceiling fan. This work requires moderate technical skills and physical strength. This is because you will need to install not only the fan (the blades) but you will need to connect the fan’s base to the ceiling and its electrical fixture hardware and wiring.
How much do ceiling fans cost? What impacts the price of a fan?
Windmill ceiling fans range in price from $475 on the cheap-end to over $2,300 on the high-end.
A very nice windmill fan will cost you around $800.
There are several reasons why the range in price is so large.
A ceiling fan, made of plastic instead of more durable wood or metal, is cheaper.
Additionally, less expensive fans have weaker motors. This means that they are capable of producing less air flow or have smaller Cubic Feet per Minute scores.
More expensive fans are akin to those you would experience at a resort or high end hotel. A ceiling fan over $1,200 will likely come packed with high tech solutions built-in.
These fans will enable you to:
- Program the fan based on motion, temperature, or humidity.
- Turn the fan on or off based on preset logic or rules for maximum physical comfort.
- Enjoy very efficient and quiet DC motors that have multi-decade support and lifetime expectations.
Moreover, these pricer fans come with app based (smart phone, iPad) mobile management and remote controls.
It is common for expensive ceiling fans to come with mount options so that you can install a panel adjacent to your light switch. These wall mounts enable you to control not only the fan (on/off) but also the fan speed and direction.
Cheaper fans do not come with these in depth level of controls or sophisticated management features.
And that is ok. Simplicity might be what you crave.
Cheaper fans cool rooms as well and can be easily turned on/off with pull chains.
Less windmill expensive fans (in the $200-$300 price point) still come with energy-efficient dimmable lightbulbs.
AC vs DC fans: Understanding a fan’s power source
Most inexpensive fans leverage AC motors.
Although AC motors are more powerful than DC motors, they typically are less efficient and are not as good at using their energy output.
This can cause additional noise (thereby making it harder to sleep if that fan is in your bedroom).
When buying a fan, please take a moment to see the Power Source listed in the fan’s essential product information that all suppliers provide. If you buy a fan with an AC motor, it will be louder.
As a result, we highly advise buying a DC powered fan if you will be sleeping near it.
AC motors are durable and longer lasting. While this might seem positive, DC motors are better (and therefore more costly).
DC motors are simpler to install into the fan’s base, have high startup power, and have a faster response time.
This means that time will be shortened from when you switch the “on” button to when the fan is accelerating to cool your room.
Although more expensive, ceiling fans with DC motors consume 70% less power which will enable you to save money over time as you pay less to power them.
Where to place the ceiling fan: voltage and flush mounting
Many people place their windmill ceiling fans in the center of a room or above a bed. This is to maximize comfort and the impact of the fan’s air flows.
A centrally placed windmill ceiling fan also creates room symmetry.
Voltage is the pressure from an electrical circuit’s power, and the most common electrical outlet in any home is a 110 volt. If you live in the United States, you will need to select a fan that complies with this voltage limit.
Luckily for you, nearly all off-the-shelf ceiling fans support this standard.
When installing a ceiling fan you will need to get a few things absolutely right. We have done this many times for ourselves, our family, friends, and of course our clients.
Firstly, some ceiling fans support flush mount integrations. Flush mount fans sit directly against the ceiling and point downwards. These fans are typically useful for cooling a small room.
Not all ceiling fans are flush mountable.
This means that they will hang lower from the ceiling. If you buy a fan that cannot be flush mounted, please ensure that the lower point of the fan is at least 7 feet and six inches from the ground.
Additionally, ensure that the weight bearing load of the ceiling can support the fan.
Similar to voltage, this should be routine in many homes.
But it is worth investigating because you don’t want to buy a fan just to see it unable to stay upright.
For most fans that we review and see our clients deploy, a ceiling must be able to support approximately 35 pounds of downward pressure.
Buyer’s Guide Summary: Bringing It All Together
Buying a windmill ceiling fan for the first time does not need to be overwhelming.
Simply follow this guide to evaluate and buy the fan that fits best in your room and adds the most value in your life.
Don’t get bogged down in the details. If nothing else, pick a windmill fan that looks great, fits well within your room, and that is priced according to your budget.
If the windmill fan is going into your bedroom, it is worth spending a bit more for a quitter product – you won’t regret it.
