We’re living in a remote control world today. It wasn’t that long ago that people actually got up from their chairs to change TV channels or records on the stereo. Now, many children’s toys are attached to remotes so that they don’t have to get down on the floor to play with them if they don’t want to. The truth is, in many cases, remotes tend to make life a lot easier. A few years ago, it was not possible to get a ceiling fan that was operated through a remote control. It is another story today, and with the help of a remote, we can change the speed and turn it on and off from anywhere in the room.
Why Choose a Ceiling Fan with Remote?
When buying the fan, one should consider the ceiling height first and foremost. No one wants to walk into the room and bump his/her head on the fan. For rooms with ceilings that are less than 9ft, you should go with a flush mount type of ceiling fan. This is the type of fan designed to hug the ceiling and prevent accidents when the blades start to spin.
Another thing to spend time on is choosing the blades. It does not matter how many blades there are. It is the motor size and the blade length that matter. Basically, larger motors are more costly. Generally, 44-inch blades work for smaller rooms while 52-inch ones are for rooms that measure more than 15ft in length. If the ceiling fans with remote control require a fluorescent lamp, a dimmer switch is not appropriate at all.
Different Types
The usual ceiling fans today are equipped with a fan remote. Most of them cost more than regular fans, but the added comfort is assessed to be completely worth it. Installing the fan is easy and can be done by anybody. However, it is best to learn more about this item and how to install it before giving it a try.
There are different choices when it comes to remote-controlled fans. This makes it easy to find what one needs. Models with a wall control switch and ones with handheld controls are two of the most common choices.
Installing a Ceiling Fan with a Remote
When installing, you should start with the fan remote. Batteries are necessary for the remote receiver, and the DIP switches have to be set on. The junction box should also be prepared. One should check it out and make sure that it can support the weight of the new fan.
Once the remote is ready, you should then proceed with the installation of the ceiling fan. It helps to carefully identify the parts of the fan before the actual installation to avoid mistakes. After that, the fan’s housing is then installed and secured with screws that are provided along with the package.
When this is all done, the bulb or lamp is attached to the housing body. It is best to check if the bulbs or lamps are working by turning the power on. If they do, the power is turned back off, and the blades and shade of the fan are attached. If one does not work, it is highly possible that a loose connection exists somewhere between the receiver and the junction box.
For those who prefer DIY installation, it helps to read and learn about the right way to install remote for a ceiling fan. It might seem easy at a glance, but certain errors committed in the process might bring about additional costs, especially if the parts of the item get damaged one way or another.
Luxury or Necessity?
The new remote-controlled ceiling fans are perfect for many people. For example, a person who has difficulty getting around can use the remote to alter the fan’s operation. If you’re in the middle of a chore and you want less air blowing around the area, you can just set the fan to spin the amount of air you prefer, without moving at all. If you think your children will constantly jump around to reach fan pull cords, a remote is a way to put a stop to that behavior.
Like mentioned above, it wasn’t long ago that there were no ceiling fans on the market that came with. However, you’ll be glad to know that today there are universal remotes available that will work on any brand of fans. If you have name brand fans, such as Hunter, Hampton Bay, or Westinghouse, you can find a selection of remotes made to go with the models you have.
However, with the low cost of replacing the remote with another unit, this shouldn’t be a major problem. That said, you’ll find that even the original remotes that came with the fans had this same shortcoming.
Almost all of the products in the market today are constantly being developed and enhanced for the purpose of making life and living more comfortable even for the regular guy. At home, everything can now be accessed even without standing up to do so.
Additional Tips
What should you do if you experience a problem with your old ceiling fan? Should you repair it or replace it? To make a good decision, you should:
- Estimate the value and, most important, the quality of your old ceiling fan.
- Determine the cost of parts and labor to make the repair.
- If you are a handy person and can do the repair yourself, repair might be your best option. That way, all you need is a part or parts and maybe some help in troubleshooting.
The most common parts that cause a problem in a remote control fan:
- The handheld or wall remote control
- The receiver module
- The reversing module
Normally the problem will be one of the three parts, but in some cases, it can be more than one.
Final Thoughts
You’ll see many reviews of remotes on web that show a wide difference of opinion when it comes to how well the ceiling fans work. It is important that you understand your needs and figure out if you need a fan with a remote. We are all different with different preferences, and what might fit you, might not fit your neighbor. For example, one customer will say that they work well, and another will tell you that their unit quit working after only a year. Therefore, it is essential that you invest in a ceiling fan, with or without a remote that fits your room, to enjoy the air circulation to the fullest extent.