How Much Does It Cost to Install a Ceiling Fan?

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Ceiling Fan Calculator

Ceiling Fan Calculator

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NATIONAL COSTS

Average Cost

$398

Low Cost

$252

High Cost

$703

See Ceiling Fan Calculator Breakdown 

Average Cost Project Low-Cost Project High-Cost Project

Cost

Material

42" four-blade fan, white finish

$148

Labor

Installing and connecting a 42" four-blade fan

$104

Material

48" five-blade rattan fan

$294

Labor

Installing and connecting a 48" five-blade fan

$104

Materials

56" five-blade leaf-design premium fan

$457

4 light bulbs, ball pull chain, brass trim, and vaulted ceiling mount

$97

Labor

Installing and connecting a 56" five-blade fan

$104

Installing 4 light bulbs, ball pull chain, brass trim, and vaulted ceiling mount

$45

Total

$252

$398

$703

Indoor vs Outdoor Ceiling Fan Cost

When deciding between a ceiling fan for an outdoor space versus an indoor space, it is important to check the specific fan for its moisture tolerance. Indoor fans that are rated for dry-only spaces cannot be used outside. However, an outdoor unit can be used inside because exposure to moisture will not impact the fan. Indoor ceiling fans start as low as $200 and may go up to over $800. Your outdoor unit cost starts closer to $300 and goes to over $900.

The primary difference between indoor and outdoor fans is their construction materials. To withstand the moisture of an outdoor environment, a manufacturer coats an outdoor fan's blades with plastic or constructs the blades entirely of plastic or stainless steel. Outdoor fans also tend to have more robust motors and components capable of withstanding humidity and inclement weather.

Ceiling Fan Prices by Size

The easiest way to figure out what size fan you need is to measure the room where you want to hang it and buy accordingly. The size of a ceiling fan is based on the measurement of its blade span: the diameter range of the blades while they rotate. This can be measured in two ways, depending on whether the fan has an odd or even number of blades. With an even number of blades, you may measure the diameter easily from the tip of one blade to the tip of the blade that is directly opposite. For an odd-bladed fan, measure from the center of the fan to the end of one of the blades and multiply that result by two for your total fan diameter.

Ceiling Fan Costs by Type

Ceiling fan manufacturers offer incredible variety with their design choices, but the visual appeal is not the only design factor impacting price. Some design features that affect the price of a ceiling fan include whether you can adjust the direction of the unit, whether your contractor can mount the unit on a wall, and whether the fan has a computer to connect it to a smart home system.

Price of a Standard Ceiling Fan

A standard ceiling fan costs from $50 to $300. This is the type of fan commonly found in most homes. They point straight downward and have blades that rotate parallel to the ceiling. Most have five blades and a built-in light fixture. Upgrades and features you might see with standard units include pull chains, remote controls, and wall controls. Manufacturers offer fans in virtually every finish, including standard black or white and natural wood finishes.

Low-Profile

Low-profile units cost approximately $50 to $300. Also known as “flush mount” or “hugger” fans, low-profile fans are designed to keep the blades close to the ceiling. This makes them suitable for ceilings 8’ or lower. Low-profile ceiling fans are also an excellent choice for small rooms, even if the ceilings are tall because they move air very efficiently in a small space.

Hanging Propeller

A hanging propeller unit costs between $150 and $550. This fan type has its propeller and blades hanging down from a “downrod,” a pole that extends downward from the fan’s base. Because they hang lower than other fans, they are best for ceilings 9’ or higher. Hanging propeller fans are very effective in helping to heat or cool your home each season when you reverse the direction the blades spin.

Directional

A directional model costs between $150 and $800. Directional fans can be adjusted to point in whichever direction you prefer there to be targeted airflow. Their construction is similar to a standing fan, albeit mounted upside-down (with a downrod). It is important to correctly measure the directional unit you want to install to ensure it functions properly without hitting anything.

Rotational Ceiling Fan

Rotational ceiling fans cost from $200 to $1,500. Rotational or “dual-motor” fans are typically directional fans with dual heads, which rotate on an axis (a downrod). Dual motor units are a popular choice when looking for a modern aesthetic for your living space. Dual-motor fans also move more air than single-motor fans, making them a great choice for large rooms. They also only need a single electrical box despite having two motors.

Ceiling Fan Blade Price by Material

Your choice of blade material raises or lowers the total cost of your fan. Different materials act differently when moving air, so you may find it helpful to consider the pros and cons of each.

Metal blade fans move air more efficiently than wood blade fans, but metal fans are a little louder. Your decision might come down to noise versus efficiency. If it is a toss-up for you between aluminum blades or steel blades, the choice might depend on where you want to put the fan. Stainless steel blades are an excellent design option for modern homes, but they are also best for damp environments where rust could become a problem. However, aluminum blades offer some of the quietest and most efficient operation.

Plastic also has some benefits that might encourage you to consider plastic options for your ceiling fan installation. Not only are they cheaper, but they even last longer. Less weight on the fan blades means less wear on the fan motor and a longer life span. Another option is a fan made of actual palm leaves. These fans are lightweight like plastic fans, but they are more sustainable than plastic fans.

If you are not a fan of stainless steel or plastic and want something different, you might choose Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), a combination of recycled wood particles and resin. It withstands incredible temperature variations, which can warp traditional wood, and is also long-lasting because of its composite construction.

Ceiling Fan Prices by Number of Blades

Fans are commonly manufactured with two to six blades. Your choice often comes down to aesthetics. A fan with two blades offers an incredibly modern look, while a five-blade fan fits nicely in a traditional interior. The most affordable fans tend to have five blades and are available in many appealing styles, while two-blade fans often sell as a premium designer option. If you have a small room, you might choose a fan with fewer blades to create a less cluttered look. On the other hand, two- and three-blade fans are usually louder than five-blade fans, so you might choose a fan with five blades if you prefer less noise from your fan. Aesthetics impact fan choice, but functionality also counts.

Outdoor Ceiling Fan Cost by Rating

If you are considering installing a fan in an outdoor area, you cannot go with a normal indoor fan. Their motors and structural materials are not made to withstand outdoor elements. This is why you need to pick a model specifically designed for outdoor installation. You’ll find most types of fans available in dry, damp, and wet ratings. Their prices differ based on the rating. There are three types of ceiling fans, categorized by the UL’s Damp-wet rating.

Dry-Rated

Dry-rated ceiling fans cost $100 to $1,100. Dry-rated ceiling fans are designed for indoor areas that are not exposed to moisture. This includes most rooms of the home, including bedrooms, dining rooms, workshops, finished basements, and foyers. A dry-rated unit can be used in a kitchen with proper ventilation.

Damp-Rated

Damp-rated fans range from $125 to $1,100. They are resistant to high humidity and condensation, but you cannot get them completely wet. They are an excellent choice for an enclosed area like a patio or garage where you do not have complete control of the climate. They also work well in naturally damp rooms like bathrooms and laundry rooms. Damp-rated units are convenient because they are usable both indoors and outdoors.

Wet-Rated

Wet-rated ceiling fans range from $150 to $1,200 and are resistant to rain, snow, and wind. They are a terrific choice for outdoor areas where water and moisture could reach the unit or its motor. You can take a hose to a wet-rated unit to clean it since the wiring is waterproof and the blades are resistant to warping from coming into contact with water. You might install a wet-rated unit in a gazebo where inclement weather could reach the fan.

Ceiling Fan Cost With Downrod

A downrod is a pipe or an extension that connects a fan motor housing to the hardware at the ceiling. If your ceiling is high enough (at least eight feet but even higher is better), installing a unit with a downrod provides increased air circulation and greater stability for the fan. Some fans ship with downrods included, but they are usually only a few inches long. You can choose a longer downrod based on the height of your ceiling. Costs vary from just $5 for a basic 6-inch downrod to $110 for a 72-inch downrod. See the table below to learn what fan downrod lengths are suggested for specific ceiling heights. Keep in mind that these costs are solely for purchasing a downrod and may increase the overall cost.

Average Cost of a Ceiling Fan by Style

The style of the fan is one of the leading factors that people consider. The creativity in design is endless. One of the most popular types selling today is the modern style, which often features metal construction or a metallic coating. Related is the industrial style, which may take things a step further into the minimalistic realm and is a popular option. However, if you are not a fan of these styles, search for fans under the traditional or contemporary style.

If your house is a little older or has some old-fashioned character, you have some excellent options with rustic or farmhouse fans. These options are not just for legitimate farms; however, they are a beautiful choice when you have a home with a farm kitchen and reclaimed wood decor. You may also opt for a specialty fan like a Mission-style fan, which is a wonderful addition to any home with exposed wood beams and built-in bookshelves.

If you have an island theme in your home or on a back deck, you might choose a specialty fan like the tropical fan. These delicately ornate fans usually feature blades that look like palm fronds. Some tropical fans actually feature real palm leaves. If you like new trends, you might think about a “fandelier,” which looks like a chandelier but operates like a normal fan. They are generally priced from $230 to $2,000.

Each of these styles is available in a readymade format from major retailers and through your contractor or installer. You can also seek designer options that start around $1,500 for an industrial model up to $15,000 for a "fandelier" or a modern unit. Designer fans may come from a respected design studio, or they may be custom-made to your specifications.

Average Cost of a Ceiling Fan by Brand

Well-known ceiling fan companies include Emerson, Westinghouse, and Hunter. These and other manufacturers design fans at virtually every price point even though some companies are considered high-end, and others offer more standard machines. For example, Hunter manufactures many beautiful fans, but their subsidiary, Casablanca, is more high-end. However, price is not the only factor when it comes to quality. You may find it helpful to read online reviews about different fans to get a sense of a company's reputation and the quality of their products, whether they are affordable or expensive.

Labor Cost to Install a Ceiling Fan

Several variables impact the cost of installing a ceiling fan. The price of a ceiling fan unit ranges from as low as $40 to as much as $3,000, depending on the design, quality, and additional features. Labor for an electrician to install the unit typically costs an additional $60 to $320, depending on the complexity of the installation.

Indoor installations usually cost between $60 and $250. Outdoor installations cost between $150 and $320. Outdoor installation comes in at the higher end of the scale because of the need for added materials like electrical conduits to house the wires and weatherproof fittings, which take additional time to install. If you opt for a handyman instead of an electrician, they usually charge $60 to $90 per hour to install your ceiling fan.

Some installations can get complicated and may require cutting into the walls to run wires, pushing the installation cost to the top of the range. Other install jobs might take just a half-hour and require nothing more than removing an old fan and installing the new unit.

Cost to Install Ceiling Fan With Wiring

If your home already has a fan and you have hired a handyman or electrician to install a new unit, you are in luck. These replacement installations often proceed quickly because your professional uses the existing wiring to hook up your new fan. Your cost for labor should range from $60 to $150 since the work should take less than an hour to complete.

With a smooth and easy installation, you can expect your total installation costs to sit at the lower end of the $350 to $650 national average; however, your costs may increase with an expensive unit. You can often get a soft quote over the phone for installation work when the project is a simple replacement with existing wiring.

Cost to Install Ceiling Fan Without Existing Wires

When you want to install a fan where no wiring currently exists, the complexity, cost, and timeline of the project increase. At a minimum, your electrician needs to install a fan-rated electrical box, wiring, and a switch. The labor costs $280 to $320 because of the additional time required. Total installation costs will likely hit the higher end of the $350 to $650 average installation cost because of the additional materials needed.

A few questions you need to answer before your handyman or electrician begins work include the location where you want the new wall switch and the placement of the new unit. You need to figure out the direction of the joists that run across the ceiling and how they run in relation to the new unit and its wall switch. Your professional installer needs to connect the power switch to an existing line in the wall to power your fan. They can power the unit directly from a line in the ceiling if you choose to use a remote with your fan. Final considerations include figuring out the composition of the walls (drywall or plaster) and whether any patching might be necessary after the installation.

Ceiling Fan Replacement Cost

When replacing an existing ceiling fan with another unit, there is frequently no need to update the wiring. Replacing an old ceiling fan with a new unit that does not require any additional wires is very straightforward and may only take a handyman an hour to assemble the new fan and install it at a rate of $60 to $90 an hour.

Older ceiling fans may need to be replaced if they stop working, become discolored, deteriorate, or you just want to update. Those installations should proceed smoothly because the wires already exist. If you have a high-end unit, you may want to have it repaired for $90 to $200 rather than having it replaced. You may want to let aesthetics be your guide rather than the cost to replace versus repair.

Cost to Run a Ceiling Fan

Every hour, you pay about $0.02 to run your fan. That puts your unit cost per month at approximately $5 if you choose to run it for about 8 hours a day, every day. If you turn your unit on and never shut it off, you pay less than $15 per month to run it. If you live in a state with a high average energy cost, running a fan makes a lot of sense. It helps your HVAC system run more efficiently and reduces the amount of time you must run your air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Smart Ceiling Fan Price

Smart ceiling fans are the latest advancement in ceiling fan design. They feature built-in Wi-Fi capabilities that make it possible to control a fan's actions through a smartphone or other tablet device. It is also possible to put a smart unit on a schedule, allowing it to turn on and off as you require throughout the day.

With the growing trend of smart home devices, the smart model fits right in and can be managed with other home technologies. Many fans feature Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to connect the unit to any major smart home system from Google, Amazon, or Apple. You pay $140 to $500 for a unit with smart tech. You can even purchase a Wi-Fi ceiling fan control adapter ($90 to $150) or Homekit Ceiling fan control switch to convert your existing unit ($31 to $80).

Energy Star Ceiling Fan

When looking for an energy-efficient ceiling fan, look for the Energy Star logo. Ceiling fans that are approved by Energy Star have been found to utilize ceiling fan power consumption at responsible levels to preserve energy. Using Energy Star products keeps the cost of running your ceiling fan low while also reducing energy consumption. Choosing this environmentally sustainable choice will not cost you more on the purchase end but will save you money in the long run. An Energy Star ceiling fan costs $60 to $600, depending on size, brand, and material.

Maintenance​

Ceiling fans may require maintenance over time. When a unit begins to make noise or the blades appear uneven when the fan is on, these are good indicators that maintenance is necessary. You can do regular maintenance on your own by checking the basic components, including checking that the blades are secure and that no screws have become loose. Keeping the blades free of dust with regular cleaning helps with the maintenance of the blades. When dust accumulates on the blades, it causes the unit to function unevenly and noise to develop. You could hire a professional handyman to clean and maintain your unit at the cost of $60 to $90 an hour.

Ceiling Fan vs Wall Fan Cost

If your ceiling does not offer a convenient surface for a ceiling fan, you may want to explore installing a wall fan instead. Wall fans are slightly less efficient than ceiling fans and use the same energy for slightly less cooling power, but they can help you cool your space when the ceiling does not work.

A wall fan always features a cage to keep wayward fingers from getting hurt by the fan blades. So, they will not always offer the same visual appeal as ceiling fans. If you are looking for a fan with style, you will probably want to choose a ceiling fan because they are manufactured in styles that match many architectural styles. If you want to maximize efficiency, a ceiling fan may also be the best option.

Ceiling Fans vs Air Conditioner Cost

Both ceiling fans and air conditioners are designed to help cool your living space. However, they work in very different ways and provide a benefit in different circumstances. An air conditioner is ideal for cooling large, enclosed spaces. This could include a whole house or a single room in a house. The air conditioner ensures that the overall temperature in a room remains at the desired level, frequently around 78 degrees F (which is the recommended temperature for sustainability purposes).

When comparing ceiling fans vs air conditioner unit pricing, the ceiling fan wins every time. It costs about $0.02 to run a ceiling fan. On the other hand, a 3-ton air conditioner unit costs about 61¢ per hour on average to run, assuming you pay the U.S. average of 14.12¢ per kWh.

A ceiling fan will not keep an entire room cool to a certain temperature but circulates the air and creates a slight breeze and cooler atmosphere within a room or designated space. Ceiling fans are much more helpful in outdoor spaces or areas with open doors and windows. They cool the area directly surrounding the fan without wasting energy trying to cool the larger space in the way an air conditioner would.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Covers

Ceiling fan covers are a recent trend where the blades of a fan are covered to change the fan’s appearance. Covers are commonly crafted in youth or children’s designs and colors. They are relatively easy to install and remove and offer an excellent way to protect the fan from aging from the sun. Covers cost between $20 and $60.

Thermostat

Let your fan work in tandem with your HVAC system by installing a ceiling fan thermostat where the fan turns on or off at designated temperatures. You save money on cooling by engaging your fan before your AC is scheduled to switch on. Ceiling fan thermostats usually cost between $20 and $100.

Remote Control Ceiling Fan Price

Controlling your fan with a remote is more convenient than getting up and flipping a wall switch or pulling a cable every time you want to change your fan’s settings. Remote controls also make installation easier because you do not need a separate powered wall switch. Fans with remote controls cost $150 to $1,000.

Ceiling Fan With Retractable Blades

Retractable blade ceiling fans pull their blades in toward the center when they are not in motion. They require less maintenance than traditional fans and offer quieter performance. Some homeowners may also appreciate the aesthetics of fans with retractable blades. You pay between $200 and $800 for a retractable blade ceiling fan.