How Strong is Your Ceiling Fan Satisfaction?

Maybe it's time for a replacement instead of a repair.

In a perfect world, your ceiling fan complements the room and offers several different setting options to control air flow. Some are programmable, and some even connect with your smart home system. If you're not sure about whether it's a good idea to upgrade, here are a few clues.

For a lot of homeowners, the time to replace a ceiling fan might have nothing to do with performance and everything to do with how it looks. It's technically a home appliance. But a glance in any high-end stainless kitchen will tell you that appliances should be as attractive as anything else in the home. Ceiling fans are no different.

Some of the new ceiling fan designs are as ingenious as they are beautiful.

Long gone are the days when your only choices were lights or no lights and 4 or 5 blades. Modern ceiling fans can be industrial, whimsical, utilitarian, casual, elegant and practically anything in-between. Believe it or not, even brass fixtures are coming back in style.

Ceiling fans should do a lot of things, but they should never wobble. That's a sign that the fan is loose, improperly installed, broken, unbalanced or perhaps there's a combination of problems. Stacking pennies on one blade in an effort to balance it out isn't the best course of action. Replacement could be.

Many newer fans have more durable hardware than those manufactured a decade or two ago. They hold up better, stay in balance easier, and aren't prone to going off kilter from ordinary use. Whether you use yours year-round or only in the heat of summer, a new ceiling fan won't come with the worry of it crashing down every time you turn it on or switch speeds.

Hums in a ceiling fan might mean a couple of different issues are afoot. Sometimes, the hum is mechanical parts rubbing together. And sometimes, humming is a signal that you've got electrical problems.

The motor might be on its last legs, especially if the fan has been in operation for many years. The problem might also be a bad capacitor or maybe the wiring is loose. Considering the potential for electrical fire, humming or buzzing sounds should merit a maintenance call as soon as possible.

Ceiling fans are incredibly sophisticated now. Some are practically works of art. Many are on the smart home track, too. You can program and operate the fan and lighting package wirelessly using a smartphone or another "smart" device.

They might not be required home systems, but they certainly make life a lot more comfortable. Ceiling fans can also help save energy by reducing reliance on your HVAC unit. In summer, they provide a breeze that enhances the body's natural cooling system. When winter rolls around, a change in the rotation direction helps circulate your costly heated air back down into the room instead of letting it escape upward. That's a win-win situation year-round.

If your ceiling fan is ugly and performs as good at is looks, Rodenhiser can help bring you into the 21st century. For over 85 years, we have provided top-notch service to homeowners throughout the Massachusetts Metro West area. Call us for electrical service today, and reap the rewards of a new ceiling fan for years to come.