The most important component of a ceiling fan is its motor.
Ceiling fans are built with a variety of different motors to fulfill different price, style, and performance requirements. Smaller, less expensive motors are not capable of moving as much air and are not precision made, so over time, they can wobble and noises can develop. Larger, high-performance fan motors are designed to efficiently move the maximum amount of air and their precision manufacturing ensures a lifetime of dependable, quiet, and stable performance. Each motor may be appropriate for different situations, and we’ve included a list below with the most common fan motor sizes and our recommendations of when they should be used.
| MOTOR SIZE | RECOMMENDATION |
| 153mm | An average motor that will provide less air movement and may develop noise and balance issues over its lifetime. Appropriate for projects that need an inexpensive fan. |
| 172mm | An above-average motor with good air movement that should be trouble free. It’s a reliable and economical solution for smaller or infrequently used rooms. |
| 188mm | A very good motor with excellent air movement and no noise or stability issues over its lifetime. A strong value, good for all rooms and usage levels. |
| 212mm | Also a very good motor with excellent air movement and no noise or stability issues over its lifetime. A better option for 60” or longer blades. |
| K55 | An outstanding high-performance motor that will have no noise or stability issues even with continuous use. More expensive but well worth it for the precision crafted components and engineering. |
| DC Motor | Currently the most energy-efficient and technologically advanced high-performance motor available. These motors operate using up to 75% less energy and generate more power, and therefore air movement than any other option. Operational cost savings could be as high as $70 per year, depending upon usage. It is the most expensive motor that is often combined with costly high styling for those who want only the very best. |
Best Ceiling Fans Facts
At Madison Lighting, we have a ceiling fan in every style, finish, and price range to fit every room in your house. We even have outdoor fans! Humid, hot, and stuffy rooms can become much more comfortable with a good ceiling fan. What fan will you choose? We carry nine brands of ceiling fans, including Minka Aire and Emerson.
In essence, a ceiling fan is an appliance. Built to run, it has a motor that pushes the air down in the summer and pulls air up (mixing it with warmer) air in the winter. The result? Comfort. Energy savings. Style. It’s easy to replace a flush mount or semi flush mount ceiling light fixture with a ceiling fan, and add a light, if you need it. Need to run electricity to a new fan? It’s an easy fix for an electrician.
Why not buy a ceiling fan in a big box store? Here are our Top 5 Reasons to Avoid Big-Box Store Ceiling Fans.
- Their fans often don’t have long wearing motors. Our fans have powerful motors that push air so well that it actually cools a room without using air conditioning. Choose the right motor size here and save money on your electric bill.
- They are not known for their fan selection. We have tons of fans.
- They don’t help you size the fan to the room. We have lots of experience helping people choose the size fan to work with your volume of space, move all of the air, and keep you comfy. We can even provide you with a handy chart right here to help you figure out what size fan you need!
- Their fans can be noisy, with blades that may not be balanced, causing the fan to “thunk” every few seconds. Our fans have quality, well-balanced fan blades. It’s quiet in here.
- Their fans seem inexpensive. We have fans that cost about the same and they’re better built. Also, we have many more fans to choose from when you invest a little in even more style and quality.
Find your new ceiling fans today!
