Yes or No to ceiling fans in rentals?

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

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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Marcus R.
Real Estate Agent · Denver CO · Member since 2019 · 210 posts · 333 votes
3y
Another vote for ceiling fans. Tenants will appreciate them, better for the environment, better marketability.
With some of these small features I recommend associating them with the value they provide vs just listing them. Instead of "ceiling fan" in the description highlight "the cool breeze provided by the energy efficient ceiling fan creates the perfect temperature for getting a good night's rest". No different than a restaurant making a cheap hamburger sound like 3 star michelin recipe
2 Reply
Aundrea Newbern
Investor · St. Simons Island GA · Member since 2015 · 73 posts · 13 votes
3y
We put ceiling fan/lighting combos in all of our homes BUT we are in the Southeast and it's hot and humid! We couldn't get away without them!
We've also never had issues with them, at least not for the first 5/6 years. Let us know what you decide to do!
0 Reply
Robert Godfrey
Member since 2020 · 22 posts · 7 votes
3y
It depends on a few things:

1) Climate - if below 35 latitude you most likely will want fans

2) Age/Build of the House, i.e. is it going to be a hassle to get a box installed. For example, plaster ceilings on older houses or higher ceilings on newer.

3) Does your competition, i.e. other rentals in the area have them? If yes, then add them.

4) Class of neighborhood. Don't put them in certain class of neighborhoods (unless #1 and/or #3 are true). If you have a rental that is in super high demand then you definitely don't need them because it will rent out regardless.

I'm sure I missed something but that is just off the top of my head.

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Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
@Richard F. Why not kitchens and dining rooms? I get the bathroom it should have an exhaust fan.
0 Reply
Todd Jones
Member since 2023 · 243 posts · 199 votes
3y
Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Richard F. Why not kitchens and dining rooms? I get the bathroom it should have an exhaust fan.

Kitchen => grease accumulates on the fan.

No one sits in the dining room for hours like a bedroom so it’s relatively more of a waste. However, it’s still done in homes.

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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.

Another note is you can use a ceiling fan all year round. Switch it so it spins clockwise in the winter. I do it and it really does help bring up the warm air.
Now, will a tenant do this on their own? Probably not.
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William Powell
Member since 2023 · 122 posts · 68 votes
3y
I've been removing older looking fans for the slim LEDs, especially if the place has low ceilings. LEDs seem to eliminate another short phone call to change a bulb because a tenant isn't sure how to remove the glass cover.
0 Reply
Jill F.
Investor · Akron, OH · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
Tenants really appreciate them in older buildings without central AC. We just make sure to use these pretty easy to install ceiling boxes: https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell... for a stable install. LED lighted fans almost all have remotes so you don't have to have a double switch- we just mount the remote holder next to the light switch.
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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Richard F. Why not kitchens and dining rooms? I get the bathroom it should have an exhaust fan.

Your Dinner will cool down too fast!
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Joe HammelBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit, MI · Member since 2018 · 614 posts · 666 votes
3y
@Vincent Donato
Personally if there isn’t central air I try a little harder to have ceiling fans. Especially if there is already a box for them.
I can appreciate the theory that they break and the additional maint…however, Personally, they don’t seem to give me much trouble so I don’t mind having them.
[email protected]248-422-1685
FIRE Realty Team - Keller Williams5380 Reviews
Website View Page
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Joe HammelBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit, MI · Member since 2018 · 614 posts · 666 votes
3y
@Joe Hammel
Edit*
For the record, I’m heavily biased towards pull chain and NOT remote controlled bc the remotes is something that seems to be a headache. Batteries, comes up missing, stops working, etc..
[email protected]248-422-1685
FIRE Realty Team - Keller Williams5380 Reviews
Website View Page
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Erin ChurchPro Member
Real Estate Agent · North Augusta, SC · Member since 2017 · 254 posts · 233 votes
3y
@Joe Hammel I have started using remotes rather than pull chains. I mount them to the wall with strong Velcro and it’s been going ok for a couple of years. I will be adding into my upcoming leases that there will be a $125 fee + cost of remote if it is lost as I realize that means I’ll be partially/mostly taking down a fan and putting it back.
Personally, I think ceiling fans are great. I leave out a lot of the other “maintenance nightmares” like garbage disposals and dishwashers, but find ceiling fans to be low maintenance. I am buying ones with built in LED lights. I know those will go out eventually… but they’ll probably be out of style by then anyway 🙂
1 Reply
Joe HammelBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit, MI · Member since 2018 · 614 posts · 666 votes
3y
Quote from @Erin Church:

@Joe Hammel I have started using remotes rather than pull chains. I mount them to the wall with strong Velcro and it’s been going ok for a couple of years. I will be adding into my upcoming leases that there will be a $125 fee + cost of remote if it is lost as I realize that means I’ll be partially/mostly taking down a fan and putting it back.
Personally, I think ceiling fans are great. I leave out a lot of the other “maintenance nightmares” like garbage disposals and dishwashers, but find ceiling fans to be low maintenance. I am buying ones with built in LED lights. I know those will go out eventually… but they’ll probably be out of style by then anyway 🙂
That’s a good idea about the fee for lost remotes. Definitely would help with that issue
[email protected]248-422-1685
FIRE Realty Team - Keller Williams5380 Reviews
Website View Page
0 Reply
Peter Morgan
Rental Property Investor · West Des Moines, IA · Member since 2018 · 447 posts · 64 votes
3y
@Vincent Donato
Why bother when there are cheaper and portable alternatives like table fans? I wouldn't even bother if there is already a central ac
0 Reply
Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
@Joe Hammel I have only one with a remote. I had to call the tenant because I had a guy come to install a new kitchen floor and we couldn't find a way to turn the light on. Probably not the best for tenants.
I got a great fan in my home where the switch is a slide bar for the light and the fan. I wish I could find that for my tenants.
1 Reply
Erin ChurchPro Member
Real Estate Agent · North Augusta, SC · Member since 2017 · 254 posts · 233 votes
3y
@Colleen F.
They’ve got them! Search for “ceiling fan wall remote” and you’ll start to see some. I may switch to those after the initial ones are lost. :) The Velcro has been very helpful so far though.
1 Reply
Todd Jones
Member since 2023 · 243 posts · 199 votes
3y
Quote from @Peter Morgan:

@Vincent Donato
Why bother when there are cheaper and portable alternatives like table fans? I wouldn't even bother if there is already a central ac

The original post indicated there was no central ac. Also a table fan is more provides a personal cone of air with limited range. If there are multiple people in the room, it’s not really effective.
0 Reply
Ke Nan Wang
Developer · St. Augustine, FL · Member since 2018 · 311 posts · 384 votes
3y
We never have any feedback from our tenants one way or another but our default is ceiling fan and light combo in every bedroom.
We don't think it's a huge cost to install and maintain a ceiling fan/light combo vs just LED light ($100 more per room maybe?). I do personally feel ceiling fan lightings aren't that bright and LED lightings are better. I think the ideal setup is probably ceiling fan and LED at four corners but that would be more expensive.
This is Florida and we have central air running constantly and ceiling fan is still a nice feature in the room.
Just a data point for you to consider.
0 Reply
Alan DeRossett
Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
3y
Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Richard F. Why not kitchens and dining rooms? I get the bathroom it should have an exhaust fan.

Kitchens need exhaust fans too or you get unhealthy air recirculated from cooking,
0 Reply
Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
@Alan DeRossett yes but not all stovetop fans vent outside so a ceiling fan seems no different and it is hot in the kitchen. And what is unhealthy about air from cooking unless maybe you have a gas range? I could see there where you wouldn't want a ceiling fan
I am thinking many older kitchens only have one window and sometimes no exhaust fan but I guess that isn't the case in newer open floor plans.
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Alan DeRossett
Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
3y
Quote from @Alan DeRossett:

Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Richard F. Why not kitchens and dining rooms? I get the bathroom it should have an exhaust fan.
OK im in Calififormia while older buildings pror to 1985 may not building codes now requre cooktop ventilation. https://up.codes/viewer/califo...
Kitchens need exhaust fans too or you get unhealthy air recirculated from cooking,

0 Reply
Jeremiah Dunakin
Member since 2022 · 186 posts · 192 votes
3y
Quote from @Taylor L.:

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.

I second this. You can install a ceiling fan if there is one already installed in about half an hour. Me personally I can’t hardly breathe if I don’t have a fan on all year. I get so hot. I would not consider to live in a house without one. That’s just my preference but there is a lot of weirdos like me in the world. Like said it is a 100$ and they don’t break all the time. I can’t remember the last time I had to replace a ceiling fan because it broke. I have replaced a bunch to update the look. Worse case it’s a 100$ every 5 years at most.
0 Reply
Jeremiah Dunakin
Member since 2022 · 186 posts · 192 votes
3y
Quote from @Alan DeRossett:

Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Richard F. Why not kitchens and dining rooms? I get the bathroom it should have an exhaust fan.
I could be wrong but isn’t kitchen fans for smells. I don’t think it has anything to do with gas fumes. Those fumes are way too far away from the low powered vents to make a difference. I could be wrong.
Kitchens need exhaust fans too or you get unhealthy air recirculated from cooking,

0 Reply
Alan DeRossett
Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
3y
Quote from @Jeremiah Dunakin:

Quote from @Alan DeRossett:

Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Richard F. Why not kitchens and dining rooms? I get the bathroom it should have an exhaust fan.
I could be wrong but isn’t kitchen fans for smells. I don’t think it has anything to do with gas fumes. Those fumes are way too far away from the low powered vents to make a difference. I could be wrong.
Kitchens need exhaust fans too or you get unhealthy air recirculated from cooking,

We will be using an eco-dashboard that monitors indoor air pollution like C02,
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Nitrogen dioxide and Sulfur dioxide are part of qualifying for the new healthy homes loan program that HUD and EPA run. Rents are much higher if we comply and they can test indoor air quality. our Type of Tenants also prefer and will pay higher rents as a result for a Certified Healthy Home. As a result and in order to cash flow in our Region We need to keep up in order to keep rents at a higher level. https://www.bpi.org/certified-...

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Jeremiah Dunakin

Member since 2022 · 186 posts · 192 votes

Quote from @Alan DeRossett:

Quote from @Jeremiah Dunakin:

Quote from @Alan DeRossett:

Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Richard F. Why not kitchens and dining rooms? I get the bathroom it should have an exhaust fan.

I could be wrong but isn’t kitchen fans for smells. I don’t think it has anything to do with gas fumes. Those fumes are way too far away from the low powered vents to make a difference. I could be wrong.
Kitchens need exhaust fans too or you get unhealthy air recirculated from cooking,

We will be using an eco-dashboard that monitors indoor air pollution like C02,

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Nitrogen dioxide and Sulfur dioxide are part of qualifying for the new healthy homes loan program that HUD and EPA run. Rents are much higher if we comply and they can test indoor air quality. our Type of Tenants also prefer and will pay higher rents as a result for a Certified Healthy Home. As a result and in order to cash flow in our Region We need to keep up in order to keep rents at a higher level. https://www.bpi.org/certified-...

Wow fair enough. Did not know that. Cool to learn something new. Indoor air pollution what a world we live in.

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