A good, well-working ceiling fan can make a huge difference in the comfortability of your home. Ceiling fans can also help make your home more energy-efficient since you can run your AC unit less, allowing your ceiling fan to circulate the air in your home and provide a light breeze.
A poorly functioning ceiling fan, however, can be quite the headache to deal with. They can present dangers and even lead to pricey repairs when maintenance issues are improperly addressed. In this article, you will learn how long ceiling fans last and how you can tell when to replace your ceiling fan.
How Long Do Ceiling Fans Last?
Most ceiling fans are estimated to last for a maximum of 10 years, but the length of time your ceiling fan should last does depend on how much you use it. Homeowners who use their ceiling fan heavily to keep cool throughout the summer should expect to be replacing a ceiling fan before the decade is up, or at least have to do some maintenance on their fan.
Higher quality ceiling fans may last 15-20 years before needing to be replaced.
Now that it’s spring, it’s time to start thinking about setting your HVAC system up for success and making sure your home’s air quality is ideal. Checking up on your ceiling fan should definitely make your spring cleaning list.
The quality of your fan can certainly affect its life expectancy — but so can the quality of the installation job.
To protect the integrity of your home and ensure your investments last as long as possible, be sure to only allow a trusted electrician who specializes in ceiling fan repair conduct the installation job or any subsequent work on your ceiling fan.
What Are Signs You Should Replace Your Ceiling Fan?
Your Fan Blades are Wobbling
A ceiling fan is meant to rotate its blades in a circle to provide air movement, but if the blades are wobbling or the fan itself is moving then there could be a chance that the entire device will fall, leading to an untold number of dangers.
A wobbly fan is a clear sign of internal installation issues. Your blades could be imbalanced, which is a somewhat easy fix, or you could have a more serious issue at hand. Talk with an expert as soon as possible to get that wobbliness fixed.
You Hear Buzzing or Squeaking Sounds
If your ceiling fan is operating optimally, then it should spin without making a lot of noise at all. Certain noises that are gentle and consistent are typical for any kind of fan, but unusual, loud, or unpleasant noises could be a sign of an issue.
Any kind of loud buzzing noise, squeaking noises, or thumps and creaking are reasons for concern. They could mean your fan is improperly wired, poorly assembled, and it might need to be disassembled to determine if there’s a more serious wiring issue or not.
Your Fan Won’t Turn On or Off
If your ceiling fan is no longer responding to its switch, then this is an obvious sign of some kind of electrical issue. Your ceiling fan’s motor might be dead or there could be a more severe internal wiring issue.
Call a professional electrical technician who is experienced at ceiling fan repair services to determine the cause of this issue and see if you need a ceiling fan replacement or a repair.
Diminishing Speeds
Did your fan once had three different speeds (slow, medium, and fast) that were noticeably different? Are they all more or less the same speed now, and even the fast setting is somewhat slow? Diminishing speeds on a ceiling fan could be a sign that your motor is failing, there are loose wires, or you need a new ceiling fan.
Recurring Issues Despite Fixes
If your ceiling fan keeps wobbling despite the number of times it’s been corrected or if it keeps making weird noises even though it’s been checked, then it might be time for a replacement.
Maintenance and tune-ups can do a lot to increase the longevity of a ceiling fan, but eventually, even these stop working if your ceiling fan is ready to retire. Don’t keep wasting money on small ceiling fan fixes when you could save money in the long run by replacing a ceiling fan.
If you’re unsure when to replace your ceiling fan or how to to keep it in good condition, consult with an expert to determine what’s best for you and your home.
Trust the Professionals at John C. Flood
If you need ceiling fan repair services to keep your house cool this summer, contact the electrical experts at John C. Flood. John C. Flood serves the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. community and surrounding areas. Schedule ceiling fan repair or installation service online or give us a call at (703) 214-5611
