| Maintaining a ceiling fan is a relatively easy proposition | | | | screws to make sure that they are tight. If you've |
| in comparison to maintaining other home appliances. | | | | begun to hear a mild ticking noise as the fan rotates, |
| The proper installation of a ceiling fan will make the | | | | chances are that the culprit(s) are loosened screws. In |
| maintenance of your fan easier in the long run. | | | | the extreme, loose screws can result in a blade |
| When you receive your fan, a complete set of | | | | wobble or the fan itself beginning to vibrate. |
| installation instructions will (or should) be included. In | | | | Some homeowners make it a point to clean the |
| reviewing a number of these instruction manuals, I | | | | surfaces of the fan blades on a weekly basis. While |
| have found that most are very complete and detailed | | | | for many, this may be overkill; any dust that has |
| and include graphics to help the installer relate to the | | | | collected on the top of the blades will reduce the |
| written description of the steps necessary to get the | | | | airflow and therefore the ceiling fan's efficiency. A |
| job done right. | | | | paper towel or cloth can be used to give the blades a |
| The major issue in self-installation is connecting the | | | | quick 1-2-3. Again, be careful not to overdo it. A heavy |
| wiring correctly. Besides the safety issues involved, | | | | hand can often push one or more blades out of the |
| wiring (for the inexperienced) can appear to be a | | | | correct pitch, causing a wobble. |
| complicated process. If you have any doubts about | | | | Some homeowners getaway without ever having a |
| your ability to do this part of the job, listen to that little | | | | fan wobble problem. Unfortunately, enough |
| voice in your head and give serious consideration to | | | | homeowners end up having this problem that it's worth |
| finding someone you know who has expertise in this | | | | mentioning some corrective measures you can take to |
| area or hire a licensed, bonded and qualified electrician | | | | fix a fan that wobbles. |
| to do the job. | | | | A wobble is always the result of some type of |
| A fan that is not correctly installed will no doubt cause | | | | difference in one or more of the blades. The first |
| you some maintenance grief. Incorrectly installed ceiling | | | | things to check are the screws that attach the blades |
| fans are more prone to wobble or vibrate and require | | | | to the motor housing. There are usually three per blade |
| maintenance to correct these problems. Most of the | | | | and all should be tight. If you find one or more loose |
| time, correcting a wobbling or vibrating fan is fairly | | | | screws, tighten them and then run the fan to see if this |
| simple and straightforward but on occasion it can | | | | solves the problem. |
| become a time-consuming and frustrating job. So, a | | | | If the wobble persists, find a straightedge and, with the |
| word to the wise: Get the installation done properly | | | | fan off, place it vertically against the edge of one of |
| and your maintenance problems will be few and far | | | | the blades. Rotate the blades slowly; checking to make |
| between. | | | | sure each blade touches the straightedge. If you find |
| Assuming you have reversible blade ceiling fans, a | | | | one or more blades that don't, gently bend them up or |
| good time to schedule minor maintenance is when you | | | | down until they touch the straightedge. This done, all |
| are ready to reverse the ceiling fan from winter | | | | the blades should have an equal pitch (or angle as it's |
| warming to summer cooling. In the summer the blades | | | | sometimes called). Start the fan again and see if the |
| should move the air upward where warm air in the | | | | problem is solved. |
| house is trapped. In the winter the blades should move | | | | If you still have a wobble, you have a little more |
| the air downward, forcing the warm air near the ceiling | | | | involved job ahead of you. The basic problem is that |
| down into the living area. | | | | one or more of your blades weigh more or less than |
| When you are ready to change the rotation to the | | | | the others, accounting for the wobble. Fortunately, |
| summer setting, schedule some time for maintenance. | | | | there's a solution called a balancing kit that is designed |
| Using a stepladder, wash the top of the blades. While | | | | to correct this problem. |
| you're up there, check the decorative plate that rests | | | | Purchase a balancing kit at the store where you |
| against the ceiling. It should be firmly attached to the | | | | purchased the fan, a home center or at a large |
| ceiling. If it's not, you have a bit of a job in store. It will | | | | hardware store. The kits are also available on-line. |
| more than likely be necessary to remove the blades | | | | The instructions often vary from balancing kit to |
| and motor housing to get at the decorative plate. | | | | balancing kit but they all are designed to get you the |
| Make sure that it's tight against the ceiling before | | | | right end result: A wobble-free fan. Follow the |
| putting the fan back together. | | | | instructions carefully and don't take any short cuts no |
| Be sure not to use any cleaning material that will either | | | | matter what your own personal logic dictates. |
| mar the finish or saturate the blade surface if it is | | | | The kits include balancing clips which are weights |
| constructed with porous material such as wood. You | | | | designed to even the weight of the blades. Done |
| don't need to soak the cleaning cloth since your goal is | | | | properly, the balancing clip(s) placement will solve your |
| not to clean the surface of the blade but rather to | | | | wobble problem. |
| remove the dust that has accumulated there during | | | | Although working through the balancing kit steps is |
| the winter months. A layer of dust can reduce airflow | | | | somewhat tedious and time consuming, most of the |
| and make your fan work less efficiently. | | | | problems causing a fan to wobble don't reach this |
| Depending on the blade surface, consider a light coat | | | | stage and can be corrected by following one of the |
| of polish such as furniture polish. This will not only make | | | | first two procedures. |
| the blade look better, it will also slightly improve the | | | | With the proper care and maintenance, your ceiling |
| efficiency because it cuts down on resistance | | | | fans will give you years and years of carefree |
| While you are up there, check each of the mounting | | | | comfort. |