Today, ceiling fans are an important part of creating the perfect home decor. In the last 10 years ceiling fans have become more technologically advanced, providing cooling in the summer months and warming in the winter months to save you on your energy bill drastically.

The use of fans can reduce prices on your energy costs up to 40% in the summer and 10% in the winter, using only as much as energy as a 100 watt light bulb. During the summer fans create a "cooling effect" lowering temperatures as much as 7 degrees and recirculating the heat in the winter to the living area. Fans are being used now not only in the main rooms in your home but also in patios, verandas, kitchens and bathrooms where dampness may be an issue.

Ceiling fans may differ in prices, and consumers should study the differences before making a purchase. Inexpensive fans will look good when they are new; but in time they will start to warp, become unbalanced, and wear out quickly. Pay careful attention to choosing a high quality fan for your home. Ceiling fans can provide years of comfort and beauty if you pay attention to the quality, motor, durability, performance, design and warranty.

Find a fan to coordinate your individual home style by choosing the color, finish, blade design, size, accessories, lighting and style. There are many styles to choose from, some of which include: polished brass, antique brass, iron, copper, nickel, pewter, chrome, black, vibrant colors, oak, rosewood and other real wood veneers.

Consider these details before selecting a new fan for your home:

Fan Size:
For maximum efficiency choose a fan to fit your room size. In a room up to 75 square feet, such as a bathroom choose, a 29"- 36" fan. Medium sized rooms up to 144 square feet can fit ceiling fans from 36"- 42". Fans measuring 50" - 54" work most effectively in larger bedrooms and family rooms which are about 225 square feet.

Height from the ceiling:
For maximum comfort, circulation, safety and aesthetics, place the ceiling fan higher than 7 feet above the floor in the middle of the room. Optimum placement would be either 8 or 9 feet from the floor. In areas where the ceiling height is greater than 10 feet, use a downrod to bring the style and function of your ceiling fan into the room.

Blades:
Fan blades determine the amount of air being circulated throughout the room. The fan blade brackets should be positioned to hold the blade at a 12-15 degree angle for optimal circulation and be weighted and matched as a balanced set to avoid having your fan wobble. A fan with less than a 12 degree angle will not circulate air as well and will be less efficient. The greater the angle of the blade the more air circulation you will have in your room. Blades should be made with wood or acrylic and be sealed and treated to resist humidity. Consult your authorized Sea Gull Lighting distributor representative for any additional questions on fan blades or angles.

Motor:
The heart of every ceiling fan is the motor. The motor is responsible for producing quiet operation while driving the blades for air movement. Look for high-quality motors with heavy-duty windings and sealed bearings that are permanently lubricated. Smaller, less powerful motors found on lower quality fans may produce higher operating temperatures, lower air circulation and noisier operation. Motors are designed to work flawlessly for long periods of time and should have a long life.

Lights:
To add the finishing touches, choose from classic to contemporary light kits to complement the look of your ceiling fan. Opal and crystal glass and hand blown glass can also be added to a fitter or fixture shade to enhance the design. Light kits can also be added or custom designed to match your home decor. For a more relaxed environment, uplighting on selected ceiling fans is available, wherein the light bounces off the ceiling to create more of a mood effect than the traditional downlighting.

Finishes:
Finish makes the fan blades more durable. A high quality finish will resist blistering, tarnishing, fading and corrosion. Less advanced finishes on the fan blades can be very fragile and peel, bubble and corrode quickly. Brass finishes are long lasting, scratch resistant and never need polishing. Painted finishes are thick, rich and durable as a result of the advanced painting process.

Warranty:
When you're ready to purchase a fan, look for a good warranty for the life of your fan. Ceiling fans by Sea Gull Lighting come with a limited lifetime warranty. Your local Sea Gull Lighting distributor may even offer or arrange for in-home service on your ceiling fan if required.

Installation:
Installation can be so easy that with a few basic skills one person can install the product himself. With step-by-step instructions your new fan can be up and working efficiently. Some fans come with a support system to assist you by freeing your hands to make wiring connections. For extra help ask your local Sea Gull Lighting distributor representative how to get assistance with hanging your new fan in your home.