Ceiling Fan Maintenance Tips
A ceiling fan makes your home comfortable and saves you money, and like any appliance, it needs regular maintenance to work at peak efficiency. Check out these tips for keeping your fan turnings, your electric bills low.
1. Wobble World
Is your fan wobbling or squeaking? If so, it could be loose screws or it could be a sign that the motor is weakly powered.
- Tighten the blade screws to stop the shaking.
- You may have to replace the fan blades if the problem is a cracked or broken fan.
- Is your house or fan a vintage one? If so, the fan may need regular lubrication.
- If your fan is noisy, call a SESCOS electrician to ensure the fan is receiving power safely and correctly.
2. Keep it Clean
Ceiling fans are dust magnets, so get out the duster or the vacuum every few weeks and give it a once-over.
- Telescoping dusters make it easy to reach up and wipe the blades, especially for vans on vaulted ceilings.
- You can use your vacuum cleaner, but be gentle.
- After dusting, wipe the blades with a soft cloth dampened with water.
3. Turn, Turn, Turn
Seasonal rotation will keep your fan running smoothly and your utility bills low.
- In warm weather months set the fan blades to push warm air down and evenly distribute cooler surface air.
- In cold weather months, do the opposite, set the blades to draw the cooler upward to warmer air above.
- Determine the proper rotation by examining the blade configuration (owners manual will help) – not all fans are created alike.
- A SESCOS electrician can set up a remote-control blade rotator.
4. A Dim View
Is your fan’s lightbulb not giving out enough light? This tends to happen more often with fans on dimmer switches, but it’s usually an easy fix.
- Make sure the wattage of the bulbs is the right one specified for that fan.
- Consider switching to long-lasting LED bulbs (make sure to use dimmable bulbs with lighting dimmer switches).
- If your ceiling fan is on a dimmer, have a SESCOS electrician check out the wiring; wiring a dimmer on a fan is a complicated job and it may have been improperly done.
5. Lubricate the Fan
Many people don’t realize that some ceiling fans, just like cars, need regular lubrication. Some modern fans are self-lubricating, so always check the owner’s manual to find out if yours is.
- Check the product manual to see how often it needs oiling, and recommended oil types.
- Use a ladder to reach the oil hole and add lubrication.
- For safety reasons, always make sure the fan is turned off and has stopped rotating before you do this.
Fan Matters
It’s important to keep your fan running well. A loose, poorly running or dirty fan could lead to big problems, including broken fan blades and worn-out wiring.
- For the best results, have a SESCOS professional install your fans.
- An electrician can also inspect them to make sure they’re properly wired.
- Call an electrician as soon as you notice problems with your fan.
Get it Right with SESCOS
Your fan should give you years of comfort and convenience while adding a decorative touch to your home.
SESCOS sells, installs and maintains a wide variety of ceiling fans. We’ll help you select the best one for your needs and make sure it’s installed safely. Call us today and get started on a money-saving addition to your home.