Yes or No to ceiling fans in rentals?

Cleveland, Ohio
General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Yes or No to ceiling fans in rentals?

Vincent Donato
Member since 2021 · 15 posts · 21 votes

I have a rental duplex in Lakewood, Ohio. This older home has older ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

I'm planning to replace all the fans with LED light but wanted to hear peoples experiences on this.


My thoughts are, ceiling fans are another object in a rental that break a lot, they get dusty and gross, and these don't provide much light to the rooms. Tenants never change the lightbulbs on them, and not sure if they even get used. An LED lights up the room so much better and does not get dusty.

No, the house does not have central air, but this is Ohio so A/C window units are commonly used for the couple months of the year they are needed.

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Taylor L.
Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y

I vote absolutely yes on ceiling fans. They really don't break all that often and they're not particularly expensive anyway. Window a/c units are all the more reason to keep ceiling fans, as ceiling fans can help a room feel quite a bit cooler. 

Yes, yes, yes, ceiling fans. Go to Lowe's and get some cheap Harbor Breeze units. Less than $100 apiece and they'll help keep your tenants happy. Get the kind with pull cords rather than remotes, as remotes can absolutely break and will for sure get lost. 

They're not expensive, they're pretty reliable, and they'll keep your tenants comfortable & happy. Win win win.

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  • Richard F.
    Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y
    Aloha,

    Decent fan/light combos, properly installed, are not usually troublesome for us. Certain styles that have the pull chains positioned where a straight downward pull actually interferes with the light shade are more problematic, but I do make it a point to show Tenants at move in how to properly pull the chain at an angle to avoid that issue. I also advise they will be responsible for broken shades. Many of our units have no AC, but even those that do often get fans when updated.

    The other issue is improper installation. If the fan is not properly attached to framing or a for-the-purpose brace, they certainly can vibrate and become loose enough to fall.

    Having the ability to move air when temps are uncomfortable provides pleasant relief, and is FAR less costly to operate than an AC, which may be an important issue for the Tenant. Usually we see fans last at least seven years before "drooping" blades or other issues require replacement of the entire unit. Although, as mentioned at the top, the pull chain switches are often a weak spot, however they are often easy to simply replace with an inexpensive, universal replacement switch from the hardware store. It typically takes about 15 minutes to change one out.
    5Reply
  • Phillip AustinPro Member
    Property Manager · Denver, CO · Member since 2023 · 236 posts · 204 votes
    3y

    Assuming the property has AC, I would say scrap the ceiling fans. Yes, they provide some level of comfort, however, I've never known a tenant to put up a big fight over a ceiling fan or lack thereof. It's just another thing I'm going to get calls about from my tenants when it either stops working or begins to "wobble" too much. 

    I had a tenant move in last week and she sent me a video of her ceiling fan that was "wobbling" a little too much for her liking and asked if I could fix it. It's completely fine and yes, it will tends to wobble when you run it on max speed.

    4Reply
  • Andrew BoscoBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · NH · Member since 2023 · 440 posts · 416 votes
    3y

    I haven't had an issue yet. They gather dust, but tenants like them if they have a light combo. I would use in A-C class properties. Not in D. 

    [email protected]603-833-0951
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    4Reply
  • Taylor L.
    Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    I vote absolutely yes on ceiling fans. They really don't break all that often and they're not particularly expensive anyway. Window a/c units are all the more reason to keep ceiling fans, as ceiling fans can help a room feel quite a bit cooler. 

    Yes, yes, yes, ceiling fans. Go to Lowe's and get some cheap Harbor Breeze units. Less than $100 apiece and they'll help keep your tenants happy. Get the kind with pull cords rather than remotes, as remotes can absolutely break and will for sure get lost. 

    They're not expensive, they're pretty reliable, and they'll keep your tenants comfortable & happy. Win win win.

    7Reply
  • Rod F.
    Investor · Rosebud, AR · Member since 2014 · 133 posts · 49 votes
    3y

    I leave one in the living area , rest replace with light fixtures, Renters never clan them and when i do get the house have to replace them . finally said heck with it. 

    0Reply
  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    @Vincent Donato  They are particularly handy when you have window AC. Yes they get dusty but don't you have to clean everything when they move out anyway?   If they are properly mounted I would keep them, although you might not go with every room having one. I would hesitate to take them out of rooms without many windows. 

    1Reply
  • Dawn P.
    Rental Property Investor · Sumter, SC · Member since 2015 · 334 posts · 531 votes
    3y

    Ceiling fans are very much appreciated here in the summer, even though all my rentals have central ac. I put one in the living room and main bedroom, the basic black Harbor Breeze fans at Lowe's do the job just fine for $60 and look nice. 

    Yeah, they hardly ever get cleaned but it's not that time consuming at turnovers.

    1Reply
  • Angie DeRubeis
    Homeowner · Houston · Member since 2022 · 8 posts · 0 votes
    3y

    If it is temperate climate maybe it would be good to go without ceiling fans.  I am in Houston. The condo I expect rent is in a modest community but ceiling fans are a given.  

    check out woot for deals on ceiling fans 

    0Reply
  • Eliott Elias
    Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    I have never seen a home for rent with no ceiling fans. It may be common in your market.

    2Reply
  • Ray Lin
    Rental Property Investor · MS · Member since 2018 · 67 posts · 46 votes
    3y

    I love ceiling fans. In my residence and all my rentals. We have central air and sometimes the AC doesn't cool enough in extreme hot weather situations. The ceiling fan provides room circulation and space saving from a standup fan. Also, the tenants will be more comfortable while minimizing their electric bills.

    3Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y

    I have a ton of rentals and a ton of them have ceiling fans. They aren't hard to clean. They don't get destroyed. They are inexpensive to replace. And the Tenants appreciate them.

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    6Reply
  • Nathan FaseltBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · Iowa City, IA · Member since 2019 · 94 posts · 35 votes
    3y

    If you take away the fans it looks cheap/  utilitarian .  Find othere cost saving iteams  on maintenance and capital improvements like LVT in the bedrooms ect. 

    2Reply
  • Todd Jones
    Member since 2023 · 243 posts · 199 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Vincent Donato:

    I have a rental duplex in Lakewood, Ohio. This older home has older ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

    I'm planning to replace all the fans with LED light but wanted to hear peoples experiences on this.


    My thoughts are, ceiling fans are another object in a rental that break a lot, they get dusty and gross, and these don't provide much light to the rooms. Tenants never change the lightbulbs on them, and not sure if they even get used. An LED lights up the room so much better and does not get dusty.

    No, the house does not have central air, but this is Ohio so A/C window units are commonly used for the couple months of the year they are needed.

    Congrats on getting a duplex in one of the most appreciating areas and overall best areas in Cleveland!

    I strongly recommend ceiling fans. This lowers the energy bill for the tenant as they will use the window a/c units much less.
    Since it’s near the lake, it gets pretty humid and stuffy and air circulation is a tremendous help.
    It’s also much quieter, which is good as that area is relatively peaceful. 

    Ceiling fans do get dusty but it’s take a long time to get in that state and it takes 2-min per fan to clean unless it’s greasy. 
    2Reply
  • Ray Hage
    Investor · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 755 votes
    3y

    I have units with and without ceiling fans. The tenants that have them in the living room and bedrooms really appreciate it so I think it is better to have them installed if you already have the wiring there. If there is no wiring, I certainly wouldn't go out of my to cut the walls and ceiling and wire it to add the fan. 

    0Reply
  • Richard F.
    Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Ray Hage:

    I have units with and without ceiling fans. The tenants that have them in the living room and bedrooms really appreciate it so I think it is better to have them installed if you already have the wiring there. If there is no wiring, I certainly wouldn't go out of my to cut the walls and ceiling and wire it to add the fan. 


    It is simple enough and cheap enough to run surface molding up to the fan box, with an extension on an outlet box to connect to a circuit. Done once properly, good for many years.

    Also, OP, do NOT put a fan in dining room, bathroom, or kitchen! I've seen these more often than I care to count. Very bad idea.
    0Reply
  • Alex L.
    Rental Property Investor · Youngstown, OH · Member since 2023 · 128 posts · 124 votes
    3y

    I always have ceiling fans installed in the main living areas, and at the very least have brackets in place in bedrooms just in case tenants want a ceiling fan installed. I have central AC in all of my units, but tenants seem to still enjoy having ceiling fans. My own ceiling fan is perpetually on in my office where I spend most of my time, so I can understand.

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Vincent Donato:

    I have a rental duplex in Lakewood, Ohio. This older home has older ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

    I'm planning to replace all the fans with LED light but wanted to hear peoples experiences on this.


    My thoughts are, ceiling fans are another object in a rental that break a lot, they get dusty and gross, and these don't provide much light to the rooms. Tenants never change the lightbulbs on them, and not sure if they even get used. An LED lights up the room so much better and does not get dusty.

    No, the house does not have central air, but this is Ohio so A/C window units are commonly used for the couple months of the year they are needed.

    I just picked up 4 matching ceiling fans for $25 a fan on Facebook Marketplace.  They were already assembled so it was an easy swap out rather than spending the time on assembling new fans. Just make sure the existing location has a "ceiling fan" rated box, not just a typical light box. Just because a fan is there now, doesn't mean the box is fan rated. Change it out if needed. Fans wobble and over time will wobble lose and crash on your renters if not installed properly. That's a "bad phone call" to get.

    1Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    3y

    @Vincent Donato

    Voting no on ceiling fans, at least in C-class apartments in older building in the Pittsburgh area. They usually take more work and/or finesse to install properly and safely in older buildings than you can reasonably ask the average handyman handyman to have. A/C window units are getting better, cheaper, and more efficient all the time. This has not caused us problems.

    0Reply
  • Luka Milicevic
    Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    I don't give this much thought. 

    I've never heard someone say they liked/didn't like a house because it did or didn't have ceiling fans.

    If you're on the fence, just use the LED lights that you want. 

    1Reply
  • Joshuam R.
    Rental Property Investor · FL · Member since 2016 · 271 posts · 92 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Vincent Donato:

    I have a rental duplex in Lakewood, Ohio. This older home has older ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

    I'm planning to replace all the fans with LED light but wanted to hear peoples experiences on this.


    My thoughts are, ceiling fans are another object in a rental that break a lot, they get dusty and gross, and these don't provide much light to the rooms. Tenants never change the lightbulbs on them, and not sure if they even get used. An LED lights up the room so much better and does not get dusty.

    No, the house does not have central air, but this is Ohio so A/C window units are commonly used for the couple months of the year they are needed.

    I say no need.

    Our first SFH has fans by default, our second SFH has no fans. Both are doing good. Will we put fans on the second SFH and future ones. No. I try to make the properties tenant proof and that they feel safe. If a fan is needed the tenant would buy a floor fan. Same way we did when we use to be tenants. What's important is secondary security locks, AC/Heat for all living sq footage, all working outlets, damp rated bulbs in bathrooms, working appliances, fire extinguishers, we do 1 year worth of monthly air filters, which cost way less than ceiling fans, working fire alarms, etc.

    Best wishes, good luck.

    0Reply
  • John MorganPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Grand Prairie, TX · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    @Vincent Donato

    Definitely yes. Every room. They’re cheap and last many years. You’re tenants will appreciate them.

    0Reply
  • David Dachtera
    Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    You can use LED light bulbs in your existing fans and get "the best of both worlds".

    Soft White or Warm White vs. Cool White (bluish, a.k.a. "Daylight") will be a matter of some debate, I'm sure. My personal preference is warm white - the ones that look like a tungsten light. 

    If you're adding fans to a room with an existing light switch wired to a ceiling box, explore adding a "hot" wire for the motor and have the switched wire for the light. That way, no one has to navigate a dark room to find the light switch and the fan can run independently.

    My $0.02 ...

    0Reply
  • Anthony Angotti
    Real Estate Agent · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 846 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Vincent Donato:

    I have a rental duplex in Lakewood, Ohio. This older home has older ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

    I'm planning to replace all the fans with LED light but wanted to hear peoples experiences on this.


    My thoughts are, ceiling fans are another object in a rental that break a lot, they get dusty and gross, and these don't provide much light to the rooms. Tenants never change the lightbulbs on them, and not sure if they even get used. An LED lights up the room so much better and does not get dusty.

    No, the house does not have central air, but this is Ohio so A/C window units are commonly used for the couple months of the year they are needed.


     Ceiling fans aren’t that expensive to replace so I usually install them. Kind of depends on the room though. Smaller rooms I usually do lights larger ones I usually do fans. 

    0Reply
  • Alan DeRossett
    Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 302 posts · 123 votes
    3y
    depends on ceiling heights 
    1Reply
  • Alan DeRossett
    Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 302 posts · 123 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Luka Milicevic:

    I don't give this much thought. 

    I've never heard someone say they liked/didn't like a house because it did or didn't have ceiling fans.

    If you're on the fence, just use the LED lights that you want. 


    agree we omly use led lights now inside and out
    1Reply
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