What is the typical ceiling fan warranty?
Unlike other major appliances in your home that offer extended warranties after one or two years of a standard, new appliance warranty, most ceiling fans offer a lifetime or limited lifetime warranty. Ceiling fans are pretty straightforward devices and have a minimum of moving (and thus breakable parts). Read the warranty information carefully and contact the manufacturer or the seller if you have any questions. The limited lifetime warranties are generally for the larger and more expensive components such as the motor and will often prorate the cost of repair or replacement of these parts.
How does the ceiling fan actually lower the temperature in a room?
The cold hard fact is that the ceiling fan does not lower the temperature. What happens is that you get what is called a chilling effect from a ceiling fan. This chilling effect evaporates perspiration and makes the person feel cooler although the actual temperature in the room stays the same. This evaporation makes you think you are cooler - and what you think is what really matters after all. Think about how it feels to be walking outside on a day when the temperature is fairly high. You're most likely warm and somewhat uncomfortable. Suddenly a breeze comes up and you feel cooler. And, it's a pleasant feeling. On the other hand, picture yourself walking from the heat into an air-conditioned building. While you feel different, it's coldness not cooling you feel.
What about the energy saving factor? Since ceiling fans don't actually cool the air, doesn't your air conditioner setting have to stay the same? The answer is definitely not. Because the chilling effect makes you feel cooler, you can adjust the thermostat up and save on air conditioning costs.
Can a ceiling fan help reduce heating costs?
Rotating a fan clockwise in the winter causes trapped, warm air near the dealing to be forced downward. As you know, warm air always rises and the higher the ceiling the more heat is wasted. This is one of the primary reasons that a reversible ceiling fan should always be purchased. Pushing the warm air downward actually increase the heat in the room and can allow you to adjust your thermostat accordingly. While the energy consumption may be reduced by as much as 8% to 12%, the modest savings in your heating bill will soon add up.
Can I use my current dimmer switch to regulate the speed of the ceiling fan?
Unfortunately, standard dimmer switches are not designed for ceiling fans and using them may, in fact, damage the ceiling fan motor. It's a modest investment to install a switch that regulates the speed of the ceiling fan. Some switches also regulate the brightness of the ceiling fan lights. Don't be penny wise and pound-foolish!
Why do ceiling fans that often look the same cost more?
We have become a society where what's outside is often given more consideration than what is inside. Manufacturers often under pressure from large retail outlets have constructed ceiling fans that have the glitz and glamour of their more expensive counterparts. Believe the old adage that you get what you pay for. Some of the reasons cheaper fans look as good as more expensive ones are found internally. Their motors are usually smaller or of inferior quality. On the outside, designers have found a number of ways to use cheap materials to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Resist the temptation to go for what appears to be a great bargain. The ceiling fan you purchase today should be operating smoothly and efficiently ten or more years from now. A cheap unit just won't stand the test of time and you'll. be, in effect, throwing your money away, when you have to replace it with a higher quality unit.
What if my remote control fan does not work after I've installed it?
If your remote controlled fan doesn't work, first check to make sure there is power going to the unit. Check to make sure the control unit is wired correctly. Make sure both the fan pull chain switch and light kit pull chain switch are in their highest setting. Check to see if the code switches in the control unit and hand-held unit are the same.
What if my fan is running slowly?
A faulty capacitor may cause a ceiling fan to run slowly or quit running altogether. There are screws that hold the light kit or switch or housing cap to the bottom of the fan. Remove these screws and take the light kit or housing cap off. Inside the switch housing you will see a small rectangular box. This is the capacitor. Get a replacement from the manufacturer or from where you bought it.
What if my fan does not start?
There are a number of reasons why your fan may not start. First, try checking the main and branch circuit fuses or circuit breakers. Check the wire connections in the ceiling outlet box. (Caution: Make sure the main power is turned off at the circuit breaker or fuse box.) Make sure the forward/reverse switch is firmly in the up or down position. Your fan will not operate if the switch is in the middle. Make sure the shipping stabilizer tabs have been removed from the motor.
What do I do about a wobbling fan?
First, check to see that the screws attaching the blades to the motor unit are all tight. If this doesn't solve the problem, use a yardstick and place it vertically against one of the blades. Slowly rotate the blades by hand to see if they are all at the same angle. If any are not, gently adjust the blade up or down. If this doesn't solve the problem, the fan blades do not all weigh the same. Most manufacturers will include weight-adjusting clips that fasten on the top of the blades. Use a trial and error approach to see which blades need more weight. Start by attaching the clips closer to the motor. If the wobble doesn't stop, move the blades further towards the end of the blade. You may need to do this with more than one blade.
If the manufacturer didn't include these clips, they can be purchased at any lighting store or at most home centers or hardware stores. If you have trouble finding these clips you will need to improvise with such things as masking tape with a coin, etc.
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