Thoughts on ceiling fans with lights, are they worth it?

Question

I recently have bought my first investment property! WOOOHOO!! The house does not have ceiling fans in any of the bedrooms, nor ceiling lights for that matter. What are everyone's thoughts/experiences on ceiling fans with lights in their rental properties and should I install them or stick to installing just a ceiling light?

I personally love a ceiling fan in my room but have lived in rentals myself with both fan and no fan so I thought I'd reach out to see what others personally do and if people find them to be huge problems or not.

Thanks for the feedback!

John Teachout · Answer

We always install ceiling fans (with lights) in every bedroom and usually in the living and dining rooms. They're not that expensive and I think makes tenants happy. Our rentals are B or C class SFR. Make sure the structure/box that the fans are mounted to are robust enough to support the fan. It would be pretty bad to drop one of these on your sleeping occupant.

Alan Grobmeier · Answer

@Joseph Gisler, I’m in AZ.  ALL my properties have ceiling fans.  ;-)

Chris Herrera · Answer

Since your property is a house then ceiling fans are a nice add on, usually for apartment rentals I would only have ceiling lights for maintenance purposes but for houses it’s a good add.

Joseph Gisler · Answer

@Colleen F. great points! Currently the switch is just set to an outlet for a floor lamp, if I end up deciding to change that to a ceiling light, I might as well do a fan as well!

Thank you for the help!

Joseph Gisler · Answer

@Aigo Pyles I never thought about the aesthetic appeal but you are right, it almost brings the room together sometimes! Thank you for your help!

Joseph Gisler · Answer

@John Teachout great point, I don't see them adding much value rental income wise but a tenant may stay longer or choose my house over another if they are similar prices. Thank you!

Colleen F. · Answer

Depends on the property and your area. You cannot attach them to the same box as a regular light so make sure you have the properly mounted electric box required.  Some areas they are nice to have but remember they are one more thing to go wrong. I prefer to have overhead electric lighting but some areas it is required. If you are going to install overhead lighting in your region might as well add a fan.

Whitney Hutten · Answer

@Joseph Gisler I like the ceiling fan/light combo.  It's a simple inexpensive touch that could help your unit stand apart.

Aigo Pyles · Answer

It actually depends. There are certain areas in the house where you can install ceiling fans with light such as the reception or living room area. One reason is not only about air flow, it also adds aesthetic appeal to that portion of the house. But not all rooms of the house need ceiling fan.

Theresa Harris · Answer

I think it depends on where you live.  I have a ceiling fan with lights in my living room, but that's it.  None of my rentals have them in bedrooms and I think only one or two even have ceiling fans.

Thoughts on ceiling fans with lights, are they worth it?

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