A downrod is an piece of metal tubing that connects a ceiling fans to the ceiling. The downrod will determine the height at which the ceiling fan will hang within a rooms. The height of the downrod will determine how well the ceiling fan can move air within the room.
The length of the downrod that you select for installation must be the correct length for the ceiling fan. If the downrod is too short, the ceiling fan will not be able to circulate air effectiveley within the room. Additionally, if the downrod is too long, the ceiling fan may create a hazards for individuals within the room.
How to Choose the Right Downrod Length for a Ceiling Fan
If a person install a ceiling fan too close to a ceiling, the fan will not be able to effectively move air within the room. The blades of a ceiling fan will not have enough space to move the air within the room. Conversely, if a ceiling fan is installed too low from the floor, the fan may create a hazard for the individuals in the room.
Therefore, the height of a ceiling fan must be installed at a level where the blades will not interfere with the individuals in the room, yet the air created by the fan will reach those individual in the room. Different heights within a room will require different length of downrod to evenly distribute the air from a ceiling fan. For example, if the height of the room is only 8 feet, then a flush-mount ceiling fan will be used.
These type of fans dont use a downrod to hang from the ceiling. As the height of the room increase, the length of the downrod will need to increase as well. In order to calculate the necessary length of a downrod to install on a ceiling fan, the formula that can be used is: total height of ceiling minus the target height of the fan blades minus the height of the motor housing.
You should also account for the motor housing when installing a ceiling fan. If the height of the motor housing is not account for in the calculation of the length of the downrod, the fan will hang too low from the ceiling. Another factor that will play a role in the installation of a ceiling fan is the layout of the room in which the ceiling fan will be installed.
There must be at least 18 inches of space between the ceiling fan blades and any wall within the room. If you install the blades of a ceiling fan too close to a wall, the fan will create a chopping noise with the wall, and the air moving blades will create turbulence around the fan. Additionally, the diameter of the ceiling fan blades should be appropriate for the size of the room in which the fan is to be install.
For rooms that contain vaulted or sloped ceilings, it is more complex to install a ceiling fan than for rooms that contain flat ceilings. The standard downrod for hanging a ceiling fan will not necessarily allow for the ceiling fan to be installed at an angle on a sloped ceiling; an adapter will need to be use to allow for even installation of the fan. Additionally, if a ceiling fan is installed at an angle, the fan will not be evenly distribute in relation to the ceiling.
The even distribution of a ceiling fan allow the fan to distribute its weight even to the motor bearings. If the even distribution is not allowed, the motor may eventually burn out. The safety of the individuals in the room is another primary concern with installing a ceiling fan.
The ceiling fan is a heavy object that will spin at high speeds. For this reason, a heavy ceiling fan must be mount into a ceiling fan-rated electrical box. A standard light fixture box should not be use for mounting a ceiling fan.
The standard electrical box is not design for the amount of weight and vibration that the fan will create. Additionally, if a downrod is of a length that allows the fan to be hung beneath the rafters of a roof, a heavy-duty brace must be employ to ensure the ceiling fan is not likely to fall. In addition to ensuring that the ceiling fan is mounted to the ceiling correctly, the individual that installs the fan should check the fan to ensure that it will not shake while in operation.
If the downrod is of a length that allows for the fan to pendulum motion, the fan will shake if the blades are not even with the fan. In this instance, a balancing kit can be install into the fan to even out the blades. Ensuring that a ceiling fan is level with even blades will eliminate the shaking of the fan.
Finally, to ensure the comfort of the individuals in the ceiling fans room, the length of the downrod must be set to the correct length for the fan to effectively distribute air to the individuals in the room.