Proper Pixel

Many households have numerous ceiling fans in their homes. They are great at circulating air and keeping houses comfortable. After a time, issues may arise, and you may be unsure what’s going on with your fan. Explore a brief troubleshooting guide for ceiling fans to help understand what could be happening.

Humming or Noisy Ceiling Fan

Almost every fan will have a noise problem—it’s inevitable. It’s an electrical appliance with moving parts, after all. An older model may need some oiling or maintenance to reduce whirring, but how do you troubleshoot other noises?

A ceiling fan has multiple parts that hold it all together. The small screws that keep the fan together can come loose and cause tiny micro-vibrations, which can lead to odd noises. Check for any loose screws, even if the fan is new because factory production can miss a screw here and there. Apply Teflon tape before screwing them in to ensure they don’t come loose again.

Running Slow or Not All Speeds Are Working

This issue may not seem problematic, but it could signify that the motor is having electrical problems. Motors have a capacitator or resistor to control energy. They typically burn out when they overheat or have too much voltage running through the motor. Despite limiting the electricity, a resistor can cause the motor to overheat.

A declining capacitator will begin to show all sorts of signs that it’s going bad or having issues. It will cause the fan to run slower, and select speeds won’t work correctly. Once this happens, take down your fan and replace the capacitator.

Fan Stops Working

You may have a danger that requires immediate attention if your ceiling fan no longer works correctly. The issue could be the capacitator, electronic system, or electrical system. Disconnect the fan from its power source before assessing the problem. Unless you are an electrician and able to provide an immediate answer, check the fan’s warranty before moving forward.

Ceiling fan warranties usually cover a limited quantity of parts in your fan. If the fan is brand new, replace the entire unit. If it’s more than a few years old, hire someone to check the fan and look at the parts. Take the time to unhook everything and have a professional electrician examine the device before purchasing a new one.

Clinton Electric provides certified and trusted ceiling fan repair in Baltimore, MD. If you finish reading this brief troubleshooting guide for ceiling fans and believe something may be wrong with your fan, feel free to give us a call to set up an appointment today.