A well known brand from a respected factory would not have sloppy construction causing clicks and hums or second grade ball bearings which causes a grinding noise. A good fan usually has a dual or triple capacitor which helps cut down the 60 cycle hum caused by the speed control. Another thing to look out for are the blades, warped blades and blades of inconsistent weights cause wobbles.

        An increased pitch of blades with a corresponding increase in motor capacity will increase air flow dramatically whereas a cheaper fan with less pitch and a lighter duty motor may look nice but throws less air. Another method to make a cheap fan would be use a motor designed for a 42" fan and use blades from a 52" fan, this would create too much drag on the motor and would slow the fan down lessening its usefulness.

        The important thing to look for in the warranties is not how many years, the factory that has a 30 year warranty on its fans that goes out of business in 3 years is of less use than the factory with a 1 year warranty that's still around to service it in 30 years, it's who is doing the warranting and where do you ship it to for warranty work, obviously a local factory would be one with less down time. The warranty on a good fan should cover you against wobbles and noises as well as the big one, it doesn't work.  Lastly a good warranty is one with good odds that you won't need it.

Other features to look for include:

• Detachable control pods, this makes it easier to install, add or remove lights, replace controls or capacitors if they were to need replacing, most fans with detachable control pods can be exchanged with a fully featured (forward / reverse, 3 speed, & light dimmer) remote controlled control pod.

• Dual mount stem drop fans, this means you can mount them as a stem drop using the stem, or as a close up fan without using the down rod.

• Vaulted ceiling canapies and the availability of extra length down rods. Now most (all) stem drop fans can be mounted on vaulted ceilings usually with the extra purchase of a longer down rod, the blade on the lower side should miss the ceiling by a minimum 6" to a preferred 12", or maybe a bit more, possibly for looks, but after 12" you lose efficiency in the winter months.

• Some fans come with switchable blades that are one color on one side and another on the flip side increasing the choices.

• All fans now either come with lights on them or are light adaptable meaning you can buy a light and attach it to the fan, some also have night lights in the body of the fan. Also check out if the lights can be removed if you want only the fan.

Ceiling Fan Size
        The size of the ceiling fan is usually determined by the size of the room, a small den may have a 30", 32", or a even a 36" diameter ceiling fan, now a small bedroom may have a 42", or a 44" diameter ceiling fan, but a larger master bedroom, family room, or living room you usually have a 52", or a 54"+ diameter ceiling fan. One thing to remember is that the larger fan will get the job done at a slower more peaceful speed, and they all look smaller when spinning.

Ceiling Fan Height
        The mounting height of the ceiling fan can be adjusted by varying the down rod lengths. For your safety the blades should be at least 7' from the floor. For maximum efficiency in the summer for cooling the blades should be 8' to 9' from the floor, where as for maximum efficiency in the winter for heating you would want the ceiling fans blades to be 1' to 2' from the ceiling.
Note: Don't forget to add the fan's body height to that of the down rod.
 

Suggested Downrod Lengths

Ceiling Height	8' - 9'	10' - 11'	12' - 13'	14' - 15'	16' +
Downrod Length	6"- 12"	12"- 18"	18"- 24"	24"- 30"	30"

        The last thing that makes a difference from one fan to another is styling, construction materials, colors, and finish, as for styling and colors you be the judge there is no good or bad styles, as for construction material what ever it is you want it good, thick metal not tinny, rich wood not a stick-on wood grained plastic product, as for finish this is partially governed by style, but the high gloss finish is easier to dust.