Ceiling fans are a very efficient form of cooling that help reduce the use of energy intensive air conditioners. They circulate air and cool the occupants by increasing air movement across skin.
If you are including ceiling fans, their location must be included on the plans accompanying the development application or complying development certificate application and the application for a construction certificate. The location may be indicated on the drawings directly or via a table on the plans.
Ceiling fans in living rooms:
In the NCC climate zone 5, a daytime habitable space (e.g. a living room/space) must have at least one ceiling fan. For the exact number of ceiling fans and sizes, please refer to the table below:
| Size of the daytime habitable space (m2) | Minimum number of ceiling fans required x minimum fan diameter (mm) of ceiling fans required |
| <15 | 1 x 900 |
| ≥15<20 | 1 x 1200 |
| ≥20<25 | 1 x 1400 |
| ≥25<30 | 2 x 1200 |
| ≥30<45 | 2 x 1400 |
| ≥45<50 | 3 x 1200 |
| ≥50 | 3 x 1400 |
(Source: NCC 2022 Table 13.5.2)
In other climate zones (i.e. climate zones 2,4,6,7 and 8), it is optional to install ceiling fans in living rooms/ spaces.
Ceiling fans in bedrooms:
It is optional to install ceiling fans in bedrooms.
If you install ceiling fans in both living rooms/spaces and bedrooms, it reduces the cooling load more than installing ceiling fans in just the living rooms/spaces or bedrooms.