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Ceiling Fans Home / Ceiling Fan Quality and Motor Ratings

Ceiling Fan Quality Ratings

No one likes a noisy wobbly ceiling fan that does not move any air. What you want is to feel a nice cool breeze from a fan that looks great in your room and runs perfectly smooth and quiet...for years to come...without breaking down...right?

Our Rating System combined with our CFM Performance information will help you find that fan.

We have given each of our fans an overall rating between 1 to 5 where 5 is the very best when considering quality, design and overall performance. In most cases, the rating we give a fan is directly related to the motor it uses. Aside from the motor, we equally consider the quality of the additional components used to make up the fan as well as the outward appearance in both style and finish. The highest rated fans will have precision made components that make them run smooth and quiet and last a lifetime. The outward appearance will be of superb quality that is both stylish and substantial.

We suggest you use this information in conjunction with the CFM and Efficiency data published on our site to help you decide which fans are right for your needs. It is our opinion that you should first look for fans that have the highest CFM rating, then consider our Overall Quality Rating as the deciding factor between models of similar CFM. The ultimate best fans would be those that move the most air (say over 6,300 CFM) and an Overall Quality Rating of 5.

For a more complete discussion of the differences between ceiling fans, read "Which Ceiling Fans are Best".

Fan Motor Rating Chart
(ratings updated 4/30/2011 - added DC motors)
RATING TYPE Details Price Range
5+

DC Motors

Super Efficient DC Motors (the Green choice!): DC motors are the latest technology for ceiling fans. Unlike all other ceiling fan motors, DC Motors have their own built-in electromagnets so they do not use Electricity to create a magnetic field. This allows them to operate using up to 75% less electricity! They also generate more power than other motors with no wobble or noise. Even more, they operate at a cooler temperature, which helps them run quieter and last longer while introducing less heat into the room. We consider ceiling fans with DC motors to be the Best of the Best and would be our Very Top Recommendation!

Read more about ceiling fans with DC Motors | Shop for Ceiling Fans with DC Motors

$400 to $1000 +
5

K55
XLP
Cast-Iron
Some 212mm

Hi-Performance Motors: No wobble or noise. Fans with these motors are precision crafted throughout including the balancing of blades and careful engineering all components so they run perfectly smooth and quiet. You can leave fans like these running 24 hours a day for years on end without every worrying about the motor burning out. You will find them to be the most attractive as well since they are designed to appeal to those who can afford the very best. This is our Top Recommendation!

$300 to $1000 +
4 212mm - 188mm Very Good Performance: Great air movement. Very little wobble or noise. Will last many years. Good for small to medium size rooms. 2nd most recommended! $200 to $500
3 172mm Above Average: Acceptable air movement. Very slight noise. Very affordable. Recommended for smaller rooms if a higher quality fan is not affordable. $150 to $350
2 53mm Average: Less air movement. Some noise or wobble over years of use. Recommended for contractors where projects require inexpensive fans. $95 to $200
1 *Typical Import Below Average: Very little airflow. Annoying wobble and noise when new or within 1 or 2 years of use. Not recommended for any application. Under $95

(motors from Emerson ceiling fans)

*Fans with smaller motors are typically found at home centers and mass merchants. We do not supply this type of fan at Home of Decor.

Important Note: Fans with extra wide palm leaf, wicker, or canvas type blades will only provide a gentle breeze and are considered to be more decorative than functional. Because this type of blade will tend to overwork an average fan motor we recommend that you choose only brands that offer these styles with Hi-Performance motors. Otherwise, your fan will overheat and start to make annoying noises and eventually burn out.

For a more complete discussion of the differences between ceiling fans, read "Which Ceiling Fans are Best".


DETAILS: What makes some fans better than others?

The motor inside your fan is the most important component!

The most important consideration when purchasing a fan (aside from the way it looks) is the size, power, and durability of the motor. Larger more powerful motors are more expensive than smaller more generic mass produced motors...but they will move substantially more air without wobbling or making noise and can be left running for days, weeks, even years on end without burning out.

There are 5 major factors that work together to determine how much air a fan will move as well as it's overall performance and durability. The most important factor is the motor. A strong precision made motor will move the most air without noise or wobble if the other 4 factors are present.

The 5 basic factors are:

  • Blade Pitch

  • Blade Shape and Size

  • RPM

  • Height from Ceiling

  • Motor

Looking more closely at each of these factors will show how they affect each other and why a fan with the most powerful motor can produce the most air movement.

  1. Blade Pitch:
    The angle at which the blade sweeps through the air is called the "Pitch" of the blade. The easiest way to understand how blade pitch effects air movement is to equate the blades of a fan to the oars of a rowboat. If you have ever tried to row a  boat, you know that if you put the oars in the water virtually flat, it takes very little effort to row...but even if you row very fast, the boat moves very slow. If, on the other hand, you tilt the oars at a steep angle in the water, it becomes very difficult to row the boat...but each stroke makes substantial progress. You will need to be much stronger and in better shape to sustain a high rate of speed for any period of time in this case.

    The same is true with ceiling fans. Believe it or not, a fan spinning at a high RPM encounters substantial wind resistance if the blades are set at a steeper pitch. A fan that has blades with a very flat pitch (between 10 and 12 degrees), does not require a very powerful motor to make the blades spin fast. However, even at full speed, the fan will move very little air and may have a tendency to wobble or make noise.

    On the other hand, a good blade pitch (between 14 and 15 degrees) requires a well engineered finely tuned powerful motor to move the blades through the air at a high rate of speed for extended periods of time without overheating and burning out.

    Just as well, a good blade pitch with an average or lower grade motor will not be able to reach as high an RPM and may in fact be overworked resulting in a fan that overheats and eventually burns out.

    Therefore, the pitch of the blade and the power of the motor must be well engineered to work together to create air movement without going beyond the motors capability in order for a fan to operate efficiently and last a lifetime.

  2. Blade Shape and Size
    Imagine rowing a boat with short narrow oars compared to wider longer oars. The wider and longer the oar is, the more effort it takes to pull it through the water. But once again, more effort means more progress. With ceiling fans, when you combine a wider longer blade with a steeper pitch, you get even more air movement...at least to a certain point.

    There is a limit to the shape and size that the oars or fan blades can and should be. If the oars or blades are too wide or too long, you will not be able to move maneuver them fast enough no matter how strong you are. As with ceiling fans, blades that are too wide or long cannot be moved fast enough to be effective with even the most powerful fan motor. So...larger does not always mean better...but too small or narrow is not good.

  3. RPM
    RPM is simply how fast your fan blades spin at a given speed setting. Faster means more air...but only if the blades are pitched properly. Also, some fans have a lower RPM at low speed and a higher RPM at high speed, which means they give you more flexibility in the cooling effect required. The best fans will give you 6 speeds from very low to very high.

  4. Height from Ceiling
    In order for a fan to operate efficiently, there needs to be about 10 to 12 inches between the blades and the ceiling so that the air can flow freely around the blades without bouncing up and down between the blades and the ceiling. For this reason, you will find that ceiling hugger fans (fans that mount flush to the ceiling) don't move very much air. This type of fan will always have a small motor with relatively flat blades so that it does not create enough turbulence to cause it to wobble or shudder. You just won't find a "Hi-Performance" hugger fan.

    The blades on a typical hugger fan will be 7 or 8 inches from the ceiling as opposed to 10 to 12" for a good quality performance fan. The additional 2 or 3 inches makes all the difference in the world...kind of like having a tire on a car that is just a little out of balance. It may only take a small .5oz weight to balance the tire, but without the weight, the tire will bounce up and down like crazy at certain speeds. You should only use hugger fans if your ceilings are lower than 8' high or there is some other restriction (such as a bunk bed) that prevents you from installing a Hi-Performance fan that drops down a few more inches. 

    For higher ceilings, a longer downrod is recommended in order to bring the fan blades to about 8 or 9 feet from the floor so that you will feel the air movement.

  5. Motor  - Size, Power, and Quality
    The motor is the most important component of a ceiling fan. The most powerful motors will move the most air, providing the above factors are present. High power fan motors are only available in the top of the line models from each of the major name brands. You will find these fans to be more expensive...but the difference in the amount of air you will feel is quite remarkable and the performance, durability, and efficiency is well worth the extra money.

Conclusion:
A well engineered ceiling fan takes all of the factors on this page into account, and with precision testing, a "Sweet Spot" is determined with the most efficient combination of blade pitch, shape and size of the blades, RPM, height from the ceiling, and most importantly, the capacity or capability of the motor.

The fans on our site that are rated 4 or 5, or are referred to as "Hi-Performance" are fans that are well engineered to the "Sweet Spot" and will give you the best performance for many years. We are sure you will be satisfied if you purchase one of these fans. We believe any other rating to be a compromise that manufacturers make in order to design fans to meet lower price points.

 

 

 

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Answers to Recent Ceiling Fans Questions Posted To This Page
  1. Question #9276 - Posted: 1/28/2012 12:03:56 PM

    Ceiling Fans Question - Fanimation Model MA25AB-220

    View  model MA25AB-220
    MA25AB-220 - http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/fanimation/model.asp?ProdNo=MA25AB-220

    do you sell this fan with the blades

    Answer: Yes we do. I had to make some corrections to the fan since it has been discontinued, there is a limited supply of compatible items that are still available. The light fixture that was previously shown with the fan is no longer available, so I changed the picture to show the fan without lights. The blades are now showing as a viable option. There is a very limited supply of these fans still in stock at Fanimation.

  2. Question #9275 - Posted: 1/28/2012 11:31:53 AM

    Ceiling Fans Question - Montecarlo Model MC-5DCR52RB

    View  model MC-5DCR52RB
    MC-5DCR52RB - http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/montecarlo/model.asp?ProdNo=MC-5DCR52RB

    The description forMontecarlo DC52 (DC Motor) Ceiling Fan Model 5DCR52RB states "Comes with 7 Speed hand held remote control system with reverse. Included with DC52 fans" but in specifications it says 3 speed, So, is the fan 3 or 7 speed?

    Answer: The Montecarlo DC52 ceiling fans do in fact come with a 7 speed remote control. The reference to 3 speeds was a mistake on our website and has been corrected. Thanks for pointing this out.

  3. Question #9270 - Posted: 1/28/2012 10:51:49 AM

    Ceiling Fans Question

    http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/hunter/about.asp

    i have a eastview ceiling fan model l 1062 can i oil the motor if so where and what causes the humming noise

    Answer: The only ceiling fans made that are designed to be oiled are the Hunter Original cast iron ceiling fans. All other fans have sealed bearings and are not designed to be oiled. The Eastview ceiling fan you own is a Harbor Breeze ceiling fan, which is sold by Lowes. Harbor Breeze is their own house brand and we do not recommend them or offer support for them. Fans like yours that are sold at home centers are generally very inexpensive low quality models that are mass produced in China and imported directly by the mass merchant. These types of ceiling fans tend to make noise and there is usually nothing you can do to get rid of it short of replacing the fan with a better quality brand like those you see on our website.

    Use this link on our site to learn more about ceiling fan quality and Find Out Who Makes the Best Ceiling Fans.

  4. Question #9269 - Posted: 1/12/2012 4:02:30 PM

    Ceiling Fans Question

    http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/fanglass/default.asp?currPage=11&PerPage=30&Mode=Pictures

    We are looking for a clear globe about 10 inchs accross with a center hole for a pull chain and a secound hole about 1 " off center for a second pull chain. The first pull c hain is for the light and the second pull chain is for the fan.

    Answer: Unfortunately we cannot find replacement globes based on dimensions or descriptions since they are rarely interchangeable between brands due to the way they are attached. If you email me some pictures of your fan and the broken glass I may recognize it. You can also look on the top of the fan motor for a label that has the brand and model number. Email me that along with your pictures and I'll see if I can be more help. Email this info to: gregt@hansenwholesale.com

    It may also be easier to simply replace the entire light fixture if it is the kind that attaches separately to the bottom of the fan. I will know once I see your pictures.

  5. Question #9265 - Posted: 1/8/2012 10:02:16 AM

    Ceiling Fans Question - Minka Aire Model F842-SDBK

    View  model F842-SDBK
    F842-SDBK - http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/minkaaire/model.asp?ProdNo=F842-SDBK

    RE Minka Aire F842-SDBK Ceiling Fan, The top of the fan will be visiable from our second floor balcony. Is the top of the fan closed or open? Can you provide a picture looking down on the fan? Thank you John

    Answer: Although we do not have any pictures of the Minka Aire Vintagecraft ceiling fan taken from a vantage point above the fan, I can assure you that the fan is not open on top, so it will look just fine from your second floor balcony.

  6. Question #9264 - Posted: 1/8/2012 9:43:20 AM

    Ceiling Fans Question - Minka Aire Model F517-BN

    View  model F517-BN
    F517-BN - http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/minkaaire/model.asp?ProdNo=F517-BN

    Is there a shorter downrod for the Concept I? I like it better than the Concept II but have ceilings that are only 7 foot 11.

    Answer: The Minka Aire Concept I ceiling fan does not have a shorter downrod option. It comes with both 3 1/2" and 6" downrods in the box. The measurement from ceiling to blades is 13" with the 3 1/2" downrod, which will put the fan 2" lower than building code requirements. For ceilings lower than 8 feet, you certainly should be looking at flushmounted ceiling fans. I would highly recommend The Minka Aire Concept II.

  7. Question #9251 - Posted: 12/31/2011 9:16:28 AM

    Ceiling Fans Question

    http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/fanfaqs.asp

    We have a Casablanca Airflow Builder's Choice Gallery Edition installed in 2009. We've recently remove 2 floors worth of chimney which shook the house quite a bit. When the light on the fan is turned on from the wall switch ( not near or associated with chimney chute) the light bulbs blink and will not steadily light. The bulbs were switched out and the problem still occurs. I appreciate any suggestions you may offer. Thanks for your time.

    Answer: 2 things to check:

    1) Check all electrical wiring connections between the fan and the ceiling and where the light fixture connects to the fan.
    2) Make sure you have light bulbs that are NOT a higher wattage than the fixture is rated for. The US Gov. has placed restrictions on the maximum wattage for ceiling fan lights and requires certain types of light fixtures to have "Limiters" or "Fuses" that are triggered when the wattage exceeds 190 watts.

  8. Question #9250 - Posted: 12/31/2011 9:12:53 AM

    Ceiling Fans Question

    http://www.hansenwholesale.com/answers.asp?currPage=36

    HamptonBay Set f c remote.replaced the batteries and now it says it needs programming. No user instructions avail. Any ideas please?

    Answer: Hampton Bay is a Home Depot house brand, so they are not sold anywhere else. You are going to need to contact Home Depot to see if they are willing to help you with their own product. We provide service and support for our own customers or for those who are considering purchasing one of our fans and have related questions.

  9. Question #9233 - Posted: 12/22/2011 12:51:39 PM

    Ceiling Fans Question

    http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/with_lights/fansearch.asp?sbFixtureType=Lightkit+Adaptabl...

    I have a Concord Y-218A fan trying to figure how to get top light assembly to work.

    Answer: We do not recommend or sell Concord ceiling fans nor do we offer support for them. I suggest you contact the manufacturer by using this link: Concord Ceiling Fans

  10. Question #9232 - Posted: 12/16/2011 8:48:30 AM

    Ceiling Fans Question

    http://www.hansenwholesale.com/guarantee.asp

    Do you offer free shipping on selected items due to the holidays or do you offer free shipping year around?

    Answer: We offer FREE shipping year around. However, the selected items we offer free shipping for will vary depending on the season. Right now during the holidays, we offer FREE shipping on the most items.


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