Short answer
A ceiling fan works best centred over the space people actually occupy, mounted high enough to be safe but low enough for the airflow to reach you, with the blade span matched to the room. In a Brisbane summer a fan running alongside air-conditioning lets you set the thermostat higher for the same comfort, which is usually cheaper than air-conditioning alone.
Matching blade span to the room
Larger rooms need a greater blade span to move air effectively. A small fan in a large room produces noise and very little useful movement.
Long or L-shaped rooms are often better served by two smaller fans than one large one, since a single fan only really covers the area beneath and around it.
Mounting height and clearances
Too low is a hazard. Too high and the airflow disperses before it reaches anyone, which is the more common mistake in Brisbane homes with high ceilings.
On raked or high ceilings the drop rod length should be chosen deliberately rather than defaulting to whatever came in the box.
Wall clearance also matters: blades too close to a wall or a wardrobe disrupt airflow and can generate noise.
Where to position it
Centre the fan on the space people use, not necessarily the geometric centre of the room:
- In a bedroom, over the bed rather than the middle of the floor
- In a living room, over the seating rather than the walkway
- In an open-plan space, consider separate fans for the distinct zones
- Keep blades clear of walls, wardrobes and any pitched ceiling surfaces
- Consider where light fittings sit, since blades under a light produce flicker
The mounting point matters most
A ceiling fan is a moving load, and it must be fixed to something capable of carrying it. Plasterboard alone is not adequate.
This is the part nobody sees and the part that matters most. An existing light point does not necessarily have suitable support behind it, so it gets checked before a fan goes up there.
Outdoor and covered areas
Patios and covered decks need fans rated for outdoor or covered outdoor use. A standard indoor fan will corrode and fail, faster again near the bay.
Fans and air-conditioning together
Moving air across skin makes a room feel several degrees cooler than the thermostat reads.
Running a fan alongside air-conditioning generally lets you raise the set point for the same comfort, and a fan draws a small fraction of what a compressor does. It is one of the more cost-effective comfort improvements in a Brisbane home.
General guidance. Installing or relocating a ceiling fan is electrical work and must be carried out by a licensed electrician.