HVAC & Ventilation

Ceiling fan clearances and when to use two fans

Keep blade tips 18–24 in. from walls and 7 ft off the floor; over ~400 sq ft, two fans beat one oversized fan.

Source: DOE; NEC 314.27(C) fan box
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What this diagram shows

Two plan views. On the left, one fan is centered in a room with dimension arrows showing at least 18 inches of blade-to-wall clearance on each side, good up to about 400 square feet. On the right, a larger room over 400 square feet has two smaller fans spaced across it for even airflow with no dead corners.

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Ceiling Fan Size Calculator

Free ceiling fan size calculator: the right blade span for your room, plus mount type and downrod length by ceiling height. Per ENERGY STAR. No signup.

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