Breezy Basics

Choose the perfect fan for your space, and fight summertime's soaring temperatures.

In the South, we don't sweat. We glisten. Picture Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, leading dramatic lives in the sultry heat of New Orleans. It's a pretty picture, but, unfortunately, it's fiction. Most of us can't manage that Hollywood sheen when the mercury rises.

That's why we love our ceiling fans. We've gathered tips to help you get the most out of your spin cycle.

Get the Hang of It

* Fans should be installed 8 to 9 feet above the floor for optimal airflow and at least 18 inches from walls.

* Choose the right mounting system. Standard mounts include a 3- to 5-inch down rod, the metal pipe that comes out of the ceiling bracket. Extended mounts feature rods that range from 6 inches to 10 feet long for rooms with high ceilings. Flush mounts anchor low-profile fans directly to the ceiling. Sloped mounts allow installation on vaulted or angled ceilings.

* When you install a ceiling fan, be sure its blades aren't under any recessed lighting. Unless you're running a disco, this strobe effect will have you as frustrated as a real cat on a hot tin roof. AMY BICKERS MERCER

1. For rustic appeal, try The Northshore by Hunter Fan Company, 2. The Modern Fan Company offers sleek units to fit contemporary settings. 3. The blades on this fan can be switched out for white or wood-toned ones. 4. A Harbor Breeze fan in teak mixes warm wood tones.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jun 2005
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