Ceiling Fan Installation: A Gold Coast Guide
Ceiling fans are one of the cheapest ways to stay comfortable through a Gold Coast summer. A good fan uses a fraction of the power of an air conditioner, and the two work well together.
Here's how to choose the right fan, where it can go, and what's involved in getting it installed safely.
Choosing the right size
Fan size is measured by the blade span. As a general guide:
Small bedroom or study: 900 – 1,100 mm
Standard bedroom: 1,200 – 1,300 mm
Large bedroom or living room: 1,300 – 1,500 mm
Large open-plan living or alfresco: 1,500 mm+ or two fans
In long open-plan rooms, two smaller fans usually beat one huge one. They spread the airflow more evenly.
How high does a ceiling fan need to be?
Under Australian standards, the lowest point of the fan blades must be at least 2.1 metres above the floor. Blades should also sit well clear of walls – around 300 mm is the common guide.
Most Gold Coast homes have 2.4 m ceilings, which leaves enough room for a standard fan mounted close to the ceiling. Raked or high ceilings may need a longer down-rod so the fan sits at an effective height.
DC or AC motor?
DC motor fans are quieter, use noticeably less power, usually have more speed settings, and typically come with a remote. They cost a little more up front.
AC motor fans are cheaper and simple to control from a wall switch, but are usually louder and have fewer speeds.
For bedrooms, most of our customers now choose DC fans for the quieter running.
Indoor, outdoor and coastal fans
If the fan is going on a patio, alfresco or covered deck, it must be rated for outdoor use. In beachside suburbs, look for corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, ABS or marine-grade finishes. Standard indoor fans rust quickly in salt air.
Light or no light?
Many fans come with an LED light built in. That's handy when you're replacing an existing light with a fan, since one ceiling point does both jobs. If the room already has good downlights, a fan without a light often looks cleaner.
What's involved in the installation?
Checking the ceiling structure. The fan must be fixed securely to a joist or a proper support, never just the plasterboard.
Running the wiring. Replacing an existing light is usually straightforward. A new location may need new cabling run through the roof space.
Controls. A wall controller, a remote, or both. Some DC fans connect to smart home apps.
Balancing and testing. A properly balanced fan doesn't wobble or click.
Certificate of Testing and Compliance for the electrical work.
In Queensland, wiring a ceiling fan is electrical work and must be done by a licensed electrician.
Get more from your fan
Run it counter-clockwise in summer to push air down onto you.
Switch to clockwise on low in winter to circulate warm air from the ceiling.
Use it with your air con. You can often set the air con a couple of degrees higher and stay just as comfortable.
Book a ceiling fan installation
Bonus Electrical installs ceiling fans across the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim, from single bedroom fans to whole-house installs. We can supply the fans or install ones you've already bought.
Call Lewis on 0411 292 602 or send an enquiry. Read more about our ceiling fan installation service.
