Ceiling Fan - Maintenance

There is nothing more obnoxious than lying down to sleep, resting comfortably under your ceiling fan, and then all of the sudden experience a buzzing noise. If you are having this kind of trouble with your ceiling fan, following are some recommendations for correcting the problem. If for any reason you are running your fan without blades or missing one or two blades, you could be hearing a buzzing noise. While you would think that running a fan with the blades on is common sense, you would be surprised.

If your ceiling fan is operated while using a dimmer switch, it is possible that this is the cause of the buzzing. Another cause could be due to your fan speed control, trying to control a fan with numerous speeds. When shopping for a ceiling fan, make sure it has a three-way or four-way wall control and nothing more. If you cannot tell how much of the buzzing is coming from the fan itself, you can remove the wall switch and supply live power directly to the fan. This allows you to control the fan by the pull chain and determine if the sound was reduced or eliminated altogether.

Many people choose ceiling fans that have a light fixture. As you run your fan, over time it is possible that one of the glass covers for the light has become loose. Check each of the light covers to make sure none is clicking against the light bulb during operation. If you believe this is your problem, wrap a rubber band around the glass lip at the location where the screws are tightened.

If you only use your fan on occasion, allow your fan to run for 24 hours straight before you try anything else. When fans are not used for any length of time, the sound can be from the bearings that need to be lubricated. All you need to do is run the fan, which will automatically lubricate the bearings. New fans will often have a humming noise until they have been operated for a few days, especially if your fan is Promotional Grade. The reason is that this grade of fan has a small motor and control standards that are lower in quality than other grades. In other words, the fan is working harder, creating noise and possibly future problems.

If you have tried all of these options but still have a buzzing or humming ceiling fan, you need to get in touch with the store where the ceiling was purchased or the manufacturer. On occasion, a fan will just be a lemon that needs to be replaced. While this is not a common occurrence, it is possible. In most cases, the store or manufacturer will be happy to offer a replacement fan.