Nowadays, retractable ceiling fans are becoming a popular choice for people who do not want the look of a regular ceiling fan, but how do the blades work? If you are thinking about purchasing a retractable ceiling fan, you need to be familiar with how the blades work so that you can understand how to use, clean, and maintain them. To help you, we have shared the information below about retractable ceiling fan blades and how they work.

How do retractable ceiling fan blades work? The retractable ceiling fan blades work by retracting when the fan is turned off and spreading out when the fan is turned on. To move and circulate air throughout the room, the blades spread out to their full size.

A retractable ceiling fan is stylish and adds appeal to the room. Aside from being functional, its unique look makes it an ideal decoration for your home. You can choose from the wide array of designs and styles available on the market. Some even have additional features such as lighting. The blades of the retractable ceiling fans also come in different sizes.

Understanding How Retractable Ceiling Fan Blades are Designed

The blades of the retractable ceiling fans are designed using a passive pivot mechanism. When turned on, the centrifugal spreads open the blades of the fan outwards. This allows the blades to spin and move air around the room. To prevent overextension of the blades, the fan uses a post and shelf system.

What Powers the Blade Rotation of the Retractable Ceiling Fan?

To power the blades of the retractable ceiling fan, electricity is used. The electrical motor causes the rotor to spin. Like a regular ceiling fan, the blades that are connected to the rotor will simultaneously spin. On the other hand, the blades do not require additional power so they retract. This is because they will automatically extend when a certain speed is reached. As the fan slows down, the blades will retract.

Does the Blade of the Retractable Ceiling Fan Circulate Air the Same Way as that of a Regular Ceiling Fan?

The blade of the retractable ceiling fan circulates air the same way as that of a regular ceiling fan. There is no difference in how the air is moved, only in the mechanism and style of the blade. Take note that the blades of the retractable ceiling fan will extend once it is turned on and will move air the same way as a regular ceiling fan. You can also check out this article that discusses what a retractable ceiling fan means. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

How Do the Blades Extend and Retract?

The blades of the retractable ceiling fan are connected to the rotor that is operated using an electric motor. The blade paddle is attached to a bracket that is attached to the rotor using a bolt. The bolt is fastened using a lock nut which offers a pivot point for the blades of the fan so that it can extend when the fan reaches a certain speed.

Steps on How to Install a Retractable Ceiling Fan

Installing a retractable ceiling fan requires the same steps as installing a regular ceiling fan which include preparation, mounting the junction box, mounting the bracket, and wiring. Let us check out the step-by-step instructions below.

1 – Preparation

Before anything else, make sure that the size of the retractable ceiling fan is ideal for the size of the room. There should also be an electrical wire in the room for the ceiling fan. If you are not familiar with working on wires, you should hire the services of a professional to handle the task.

2 – Turn the Power Off

Once you have prepared the room, the next step is to turn the power off. Do not work when the power is still turned on because you will risk electrocution.

3 – Mounting the Junction Box

Start working on mounting the junction box. Make sure to follow the instructions on how to properly mount the box into the ceiling.

4 – Mounting the Bracket

After mounting the junction box, it is time to mount the bracket. Again, read and follow the instructions written in the manual provided by the manufacturer to make sure that you are on the right track.

5 – Set the Downrods

The next step is to set the downrods.  Take note that setting the downrod of the retractable ceiling fan differs according to each model.  Hence, follow the instructions written in the manual.

6 – Wiring

Once the downrods are set, it is time to do the wiring. It is best to hire the services of a professional to handle the wiring task especially if you are not that familiar with it. The last thing that you want to happen is for the fan to not work because you have set the wires wrong.  

7 – Attach the Blades

The last step is to attach the blades of the retractable ceiling fan. If the fan has additional features such as lights, you also need to refer to the user manual on how to attach those properly.

Does the Blades of the Retractable Ceiling Fan Available in Different Sizes?

The blades of the retractable ceiling fan come in different sizes. You can choose a size according to what you need. Like a regular ceiling fan, the size of the blades ranges from small to large. You can also read this article that discusses if fans should be forward or reverse. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.

What is the Best Size of Blade for My Retractable Ceiling Fan?

The best size of the blade for your retractable ceiling fan will have to depend on the size of the room. If you have a large room, you need to have a bigger blade to effectively circulate the air. On the other hand, if you have a small room, choose a retractable ceiling fan with smaller blades. You can always ask for help from the manufacturer about the best size of the blade for your room. They can provide you with some options that you can choose from. We have also shared this article titled, do fans circulate hot air? You can check out the article for more tips and information.

How Do You Clean the Blades of the Retractable Ceiling Fan?

To clean the blades of the retractable ceiling fan, you will need to remove them from the blade cap. You can also clean the blades without disassembling the fan, but it can be challenging. To clean the blades, turn off and plug off the fan and remove the cover. Once you have removed the cover, you need to unscrew the blade cap and remove the blades.

Use a cleaning solution or you can make one by mixing dish soap and warm water. Moisten a cloth with the cleaning solution and wipe it on the blades. Be careful when handling the blades and make sure not to bend them. Allow the blades to dry before placing them back.

✅ Video – How to clean a Retractable Blade Ceiling Fan

The video below is shared by George Alves on YouTube. It shows how to clean a retractable blade ceiling fan. Most people are hesitant about purchasing a retractable ceiling fan thinking that it is hard to clean and maintain but that is not true at all. Cleaning the blades of a retractable fan is easier than you might think. If you have this type of ceiling fan at home and are wondering how to properly clean it, you can watch the video for helpful tips and ideas that you can follow.

Can The Blades of the Retractable Ceiling Fan Circulate Air?

The blades of a retractable ceiling fan can effectively circulate air throughout the room. They can keep the temperature of the room cool regardless of the weather outside. Like regular ceiling fans, you can use retractable ceiling fans in the summer and winter seasons. They also have additional features that you can choose from. We have also shared this article titled, how can I make my fan more powerful? You can check out the article for more tips and information.

How to Find the Best Retractable Ceiling Fan?

When looking for the best retractable ceiling fan, there are a few things that you need to consider which include your budget, the size of the room, style, design, and additional features of the fan. Compare one product to another so that you can make the right choice. Retractable ceiling fans are easy to install and they come with a user manual that you can follow. You can also read this article that discusses if retractable ceiling fans are worth it. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses how retractable ceiling fan blades work. We have found out that the blades extend once the fan is turned on and it retracts when the fan is turned off. We have also found out that there are different sizes of blades that you can choose from. When choosing the size of the blade, you need to consider various factors to make sure that you choose the right one. Thank you for reading!