Cost to install ceiling fan with light
Ceiling light kits range from $25-$300, with the average light kit costing $35. You can get fans that come out of the box with a built-in light fixture, or you can buy a separate ceiling fan light kit.
Ceiling fan installation cost factors
How much you pay will depend on a number of factors, including the type of fan, size of your room, ceiling height, electrical work, and any additional features, like remote controls or light fixtures.
Number of fan blades
Ceiling fans come in models with anywhere between two to five blades. Most homeowners assume more blades produce better air circulation and lower energy costs. But that's not true. A ceiling fan's blades just add to the aesthetic appeal. The fan's power and efficiency are determined by the motor moving those blades.
Indoor vs. outdoor fans
If you're hanging a ceiling fan in an outdoor room, you can't use an indoor ceiling fan because its motor, blades and mountings aren't made to withstand the elements. You'll need to pick a ceiling fan made for outdoor use, which costs at least twice as much as indoor ceiling fans. High-end models can be as much as three times the price.There are two types of outdoor fans:
Wet-rated: These ceiling fans have waterproof wiring and blades, so they're a good choice for exposed locations like a porch, gazebo, pergola, or outdoor kitchen. They're tough, so you can hose them off to clean them.
Damp-rated: These fans are not waterproof and can't be exposed to rain or snow, but they're resistant to humidity. They're a good choice for an enclosed patio/porch or humid indoor room like a bathroom.
Room size and fan size
You'll need to choose a fan that's the right size for the room it's installed in. The bigger the room, the bigger the fan you'll need to circulate air. You also want to pick a fan that's proportional to the room for aesthetic purposes.
Ceiling fans are measured by their blade spans, which is the distance from the tip of one blade to the tip of its opposing blade. Ceiling fans range in size from 29 to 99 inches across. The bigger the blade span, the more air the ceiling fan can move and the more you'll pay for it. Bigger fans will also have bigger motors, and you'll pay more in labor costs to install them because it takes longer.
Below are estimated ceiling fan costs based on fan size, as well as what size room they're best for:
Fan size | Good for | Room size | Average price range |
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29-36 inches | Breakfast nooks, bathrooms, utility rooms | Up to 75 square feet | $50-$125 |
36-44 inches | Bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens | Up to 175 square feet | $50-$520 |
44-54 inches | Large bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, media rooms | Up to 250 square feet | $60-$650 |
50-59 inches | Family rooms, master bedroom suites, large foyers | Up to 350 square feet | $60-$1,200 |
60 -99 inches | Great rooms, lofts, XXL sunrooms, enclosed patios | More than 350 square feet | $130-$3,000 |
Ceiling height
Ideally, a ceiling fan's blades should be at least 7 feet from the ground. If you have ceilings higher than 9 feet, you'll need to mount the ceiling fan on a downrod. You'll pay an additional $12-$50 for a downrod, depending on its length, style and diameter, as well as labor costs for installation.
Fan blade material
You can get blades made of plastic, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), real hardwood, woven palm leaves or steel. The material you pick will affect the price. Go with intricately carved exotic hardwood, and you'll pay as much as three times more than you would for standard wood blades. Colored steel blades cost around 25% more than steel blades with a brushed nickel finish.
Remote control
Yes, you can run a ceiling fan with a remote! You don't have to get up and pull that silly chain dangling below it. Remotes cost between $25-$125, not including the cost of installation. Some fans operate on a universal remote, while others run only on a remote specific to the brand.
You can get a smart home-enabled remote for a ceiling fan that runs on voice-activated systems like Amazon Echo or Google Home.
How much does it cost to run a fan?
To find out how much it costs to run a ceiling fan, take the following steps as recommended by the Department of Energy: Estimate the number of hours per day the ceiling fan is running.
Find the ceiling fan's wattage.
Use this formula to determine the fan's daily energy consumption: (Wattage × Hours Used Per Day) ÷ 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption
Use this formula to determine the fan's annual energy consumption: Daily kWh consumption × number of days used per year = annual energy consumption
Use this formula to determine the annual cost to run the fan: Annual energy consumption × utility rate per kWh = annual cost to run appliance
How long does it take to install a ceiling fan?
Installing a ceiling fan typically takes one to three hours per fan, depending on the type and size of the fan, ceiling height and whether you need additional electrical work like adding wiring or a circuit.
How do I hire a pro to install a ceiling fan?
Hire an electrician or handyman to hang a ceiling fan. If the job entails replacing a ceiling fan, a handyman can probably do the work. If you're putting a ceiling fan in a location where there wasn't a fan or light fixture before, or you need new wiring or a new circuit to power the fan, contact an electrician.
Make sure the pro has experience installing ceiling fans and read reviews to check the quality of their work.
Ask about what's included in the installation costs. For example, will they charge you extra to install the downrod on a high ceiling? Are they going to charge extra to install and pair the remote control? Do they charge an hourly rate or a flat fee?
Get multiple free estimates. Ask for estimates from several different handymen or electricians to get a cost estimate specific to your area. Make sure the estimates are specific and detail specific project costs.
Find ceiling fan installation services near you
If you're ready to increase the airflow in your home with a new ceiling fan, don't mess with the electrical wiring yourself. Instead, find an experienced ceiling fan installer in your zip code on Thumbtack.