Ideal Ceiling Fan Height
Simply put, getting your head hit by a ceiling fan is a painful experience. In order to keep you, your family, and your guests safe, you’ll want to install your ceiling fan with at least seven feet of ground clearance.
If you’re hanging a ceiling fan in a bedroom with bunk beds, make sure to give adequate space between the bed and the fan. A child who’s climbing off their bunk can easily hit their head if the fan is too close, especially since their attention will be focused on climbing down safely.
However, getting the height right isn’t just about safety. It’s about how it looks and most importantly how it cools. That’s why you’ll want to leave eight inches or more of space between the fan blades and the ceiling itself.
Additionally, if you have a high ceiling, simply installing the fan will not give you its intended cooling effect. That’s where a downrod comes in. Downrods are used to increase the distance between the fan and the ceiling, allowing you to place the fan in the optimal location for airflow and aesthetics.
Before buying your ceiling fan, make sure to take measurements from your floor to ceiling. From there, you can use these measurements as a guideline:
- 10 foot ceiling = 12-inch downrod
- 12 foot ceiling = 24-inch downrod
- 14 foot ceiling = 36-inch downrod
- 16 foot ceiling = 48-inch downrod
- 18 foot ceiling = 60-inch downrod
- 20 foot ceiling = 72-inch downrod
Note: Keep in mind that additional wiring may be needed to properly install the fan using a downrod. Make sure you ask an expert before purchasing to ensure you have everything you need for a successful installation.