Ceiling Fans

Air Conditioners are great at cooling air however not at circulating it around a room. Fans are good at circulating air.  Using a combination of a ceiling fan circulating air and an efficient Air conditioning system operation, you can cool a larger area more effectively and efficiently.

All of our ceiling fans are remote compatible. Our AC ceiling fans are wall controlled as standard and can be “optioned” to remote control. Whereas our DC ceiling fans are all remote controlled as standard.

Remote Control

Most remote controls operate using radio frequency technology. This means that the remote handpiece is set to the same frequency as the receiver which is wired to the fan. Radio frequency technology means that you do not have to point the remote at the ceiling fan for it to work. You just need to be within the required range.

The vast majority of DC fans will come with a remote control as standard without the option of a wall control. However, AC fans which generally come with a wall control will almost always have a remote control available as an accessory. All fans with remote control should also be wired to an isolation wall switch. This switch is designed to turn power supply on/off to the fan. If installing multiple DC fans in one house this will be necessary. As most DC fan remote controls have automatic pairing to the receiver you will need to ensure power is off to surrounding fans before the pairing process. It is also an important safety feature, to be able to turn off power supply to the fan.

Another thing to consider if you’re choosing a remote is that the receiver may beep when you use the handset. This indicates that the handset has successfully transmitted the command to the receiver, and is very useful for troubleshooting. The receiver may also beep when the isolation switch is turned on. This indicates that the receiver has power. However, not all remotes do this and some models even have the option of switching the beep off. If you’re looking for a remote with this option, please get in touch with us. Our staff will be happy to explore the options available to you.

Wall Control

A wall control is probably the most common style of control. Once wired by an electrician a wall control provides reliability of a fixed location control. Initially a fan with a wall control may be more expensive to have installed, as wiring may be required to the controller. Once installed there is no danger of misplacing a wall control and unlike a remote you will never need to replace batteries. With a wall control it is also very easy to determine the current speed of the fan.

Option up your ceiling fan! Smart ceiling fans incorporate the latest to technology to enable you to control your fan from the convenience of your smart phone. You have a choice of connecting via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and some smart fans are even compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home systems. Skyfans in our current range offer this feature.

Not all fans are available in different colours. Browse our ceiling fan offering below to choose a model that matches your room's colour palette.

Firstly, all fan sizes are given as the diameter (blade span) of the fan. For example, a 52″ fan will measure 52″ from the tip of one blade to the tip of the opposite blade. The greater the diameter of the fan, the more area it will cover. For lounges and living areas, 52″ and 56″ fans are generally a good place to start. In bedrooms 48″ and 52″ fans are usually popular sizes unless the room is very small or unusually large.

You need to place the fan in the area where you will get the most use out of it. Because they circulate air directly below them, the right size fan depends on your space and how you use it. Our Electricians can help you determine the best size fan before making a purchase.

All of the ceiling fans in our range are available either with or without a light. In the last few years, models featuring an integrated LED panel have emerged as a favourite among manufacturers and consumers, but you can still get models with either a B22 bayonet or E27 Edison screw globe as well.

It is also important to consider the level of light required in the space (or flexibility to change). Some LED panels come with "tri-colour" warm, bright or daylight. Globe fittings the correct lamp needs to be purchased and installed.

Dimmable lights are also an option for Roma and Albany where a wall controller is installed. The Skyfan DC is the only remote controlled fan with a light dimming feature.

Another consideration - Downlights

If you prefer the look of a ceiling fan without a light in conjunction with an alternative lighting source (such as downlights) it is important to consider positioning of lights in order to avoid a ‘strobing’ effect. This can happen if the ceiling fan is too close to one of your downlights.

Australians love the outdoors, with many of us embracing outdoor living areas. The cooling breeze of a ceiling fan can help contribute to a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

If you’re looking to install a fan outdoors, then be sure to select a fan that is suitable for your intended use as environmental conditions can impact both the longevity and performance of the fan. The majority of outdoor fans will still require the area to be fully enclosed, which means completely shielded from wind and rain. When you think about it a ceiling fan is rather delicate, more often than not they come factory balanced so high winds could interfere with this. We would also recommend that an outdoor fan is installed at least 1.5m from the edge of your eave or roof.

It is possible to purchase a wet rated fan. This would be a fan with more robust, sealed construction meaning it is able to withstand the elements. To find wet rated fans simply visit our outdoor ceiling fans category and use the filters on the site to select ‘outdoor- wet location’ from the installation location option. You can also look for IP ratings, which tell you how well the fan is protected against solids (eg. tools, hands, dust) and liquids.

I live near the Coast, which fan is best for me?

A coastal fan will need to withstand the demands of a coastal environment, which means the majority are ABS plastic or stainless steel construction. Purchasing an unsuitable fan may result in coastal corrosion, rust or ‘tea staining’. This can happen to a fan that is installed indoors or outdoors if you are very close to the sea.

Most living spaces there are options to install ceiling fans.

If your ceilings are 2.4m or higher then you can usually install a fan that fits within the Australian standards. Most states require a fan to have its blades no lower than 2.1m from the floor. Please check the ceiling fan drop to measure in order to ensure that you are complying with these standards. Generally speaking you may require an extension rod if your ceiling is 2.7m or higher.

It is a mandatory requirement that your Ceiling Fan is installed by a qualified electrician.

What if I live in apartment?

Apartments often have less space to access the ceiling cavity, so it might be difficult for your electrician to run wiring to power your fan. Don’t despair! If you’re living in an apartment, it may still be possible to put up a ceiling fan, but you will need to do a bit more research. It’s always a good idea to speak to an electrician to find out what you can achieve in your home.

The common workaround is to replace an existing light fixture with a remote-controlled ceiling fan. If you choose this option, the electrician will use the wiring from the old light to power the fan. Because the fan is operated by remote, it also saves running wiring to the wall control. But your installation solution will depend on your apartment, so talk to your electrician before choosing a fan.

Ceiling crawl space is ideal to install a ceiling fan in a new position. However Electrical Embassy does have expertise in installing fans in these tricky situations and can discuss your specific needs with you to achieve the desired result.

Height - Extension rods help lower your ceiling fan to an optimal height if you have a higher than standard ceiling.

Extension rods are not necessarily required when installing your ceiling fan. Whether or not you wish to use an extension rod will depend on a few factors. This will include: your ceiling height first and foremost, how low you would prefer your fan to hang granted it meets the Australian measurement requirement and how powerful the fan is.

Angle - It is important to know the exact degree of your raked ceiling in order to determine which fans can be installed in your location. Our range varies quite a bit. Some fans are only suitable for flat ceilings, whereas others are compatible with ceilings angle up to 30+ degrees. Be sure that the ceiling fan you’ve chosen will be compatible with the degree of your vaulted ceiling. Some fans may require an additional ceiling rake kit in order to be suitable.

If you love a fan that is not suitable for your ceiling angle, one option is to fabricate a timber mounting bracket. This would be a visible bracket that reduces or completely eliminates the angle.

Electrical Embassy stand by our workmanship and if there are any issues with your ceiling fan install we are your first contact. Fans that we supply we can sort out warranty issues for you with parts, installation or manufacturer support. When you buy you own, if its a parts issue you'll have to deal with the supplier/manufacturer.

DC fans have been around for a few years, however like with most tech improves and because cheaper every year. Below is a quick summary of AC and DC.

Newer tech DC (Direct Current)

Generally more expensive, although in recent years they have become more affordable (more options in the $250 – $350 price bracket than ever before).

The ultimate energy efficient option – most models will consume approx. 30w on the highest speed and can be as little as 2-3w on the lowest speed!.

Most DC fans come with remote as standard – however there are now options that include wall control.

Typically reversible via supplied remote.

Typically offer 5-6 selectable speeds.

Older tech AC (Alternating Current)

More options available at a lower price point (Lots of good quality models sub $200).

Use less electricity than most household appliances, especially air conditioners. Standard models will use no more than 90w on the highest speed. Majority of models use less.

Most AC fans come with a wall control but almost all are remote adaptable.

Typically reversible via switch on motor.

Typically offer 3 selectable speeds.

Airflow is the measurement of air movement generated by the fan, all published figures are based on the highest speed.

Whilst it would seem necessary to pick a fan with high airflow, realistically how important is this? From our experience this can be based on your application. For example with a bedroom ceiling fan, more often than not you will want to achieve a gentle breeze. Because of this bedroom ceiling fans are usually set to the lowest speeds, so they don’t need to be high airflow fans.

If the fan is going in a larger space, or if the fan is going to be installed a little higher than usual then you may wish to opt for a high airflow model. Generally we consider a fan with an output of 10,000 m3/hr as one that offers a high airflow output.

Blade design can also contribute to airflow direction. Some blades are designed to create a powerful downdraft, whereas others have more of a flared design and will result it the fan pushing air down and outwards.

Some common questions we regularly receive are things like; which blade material is better? are timber blades quieter than metal blades?

To begin with there are three materials you will often be able to choose from: Plastic (ABS), Timber or Metal.

Plastic blades are becoming more and more common. They are durable, easy to clean and can be shaped into a range of unique and interesting styles. This has lead to an increase in the number of fans with curvaceous blades and lots of interesting new designs.

Timber blades are most commonly found on fans designed for indoor use. They are also lightweight and can make for an attractive complimenting feature to timber flooring. Depending on the type of timber they may not be suitable for outdoor use, for example a laminated plywood blade may end up pealing in an excessively humid environment.

Finally Metal Blades were for many years the most common blade material. You will notice that lots of older fans had metal blades. Metal can include aluminium and stainless steel, the latter makes for a robust outdoor ceiling fan construction material. Recently we have noticed that a lot of manufacturers are moving to ABS plastic blades rather than metal. Having said this there are still lots of options with metal blades available.

In our experience we have found that not one blade material is superior to another in terms of airflow. In terms of noise, a fan with metal blades may result in more of an audible ‘cutting through the air’ noise on higher speeds, but this is minimal.

Technically, the number of blades on a fan can impact its performance, but so do other factors. Because fans differ in so many ways, you can’t tell how effective they are by counting their blades. Some high airflow fans have three blades, some have two, and some have five.

Of course, you should also consider your preferred fan’s performance, but make sure that you look at all of its specifications before you buy. Consider the size, the airflow, design and motor wattage to decide which fan is best for you. And if you need to choose between a three-blade fan and a four-blade fan with similar specs, let your eyes be the judge. If the other specifications are comparable, the number of blades is a design choice.