Many look at installing a ceiling fan as a way to save energy and money, even if they have to sacrifice looks for economy. Thankfully, fan accessories such as lights have become more detailed and pleasing to look at. However, one ceiling fan accessory that may get overlooked is fan controls. At one time your only choice was to pull a chain or flip a switch. Now you have more choices on how you want to control the operation of your fan.
Just as it is with lighting and light kits, convenient ceiling fan controls enhance the overall experience of owning a ceiling fan. Fans with convenient controls offer many more options to the consumer, which increases the likelihood that they will purchase the fan and return to the same manufacturer if they need more fans in the future.
Virtually all fans that are sold to residential consumers include some type of fan controls, even if it is just a pull chain. And when it is a pull chain it operates on a sequential switch (usually 1-2-3) low, medium and high. Fans that have ceiling fan light kits require two types of control, one for the fan and one for the light. If the light came with the fan it will usually include 2 pull chains, whereas a light kit should include a separate chain.
Pull chains are not the only type of control available for your ceiling fan, although they are the most common. When you install a ceiling fan you may have the option of “quiet control” which operates the fan at either three or four speeds. Whereas normally the speed could be adjusted to any speed within the motors RPM range but they are not as quiet. There are also ceiling fans with remote control options.
Another option for the way you operate your indoor ceiling fan is through a wall control. The wall control enables you to turn the fan on and off and adjust the speed through a wall mounted control box placed in a convenient location in the room. If you want separate fan controls for the light and fan, then you can run two wires, otherwise you will need a two wire fan/light or dual controls. If you will be operating more than one fan, then be sure to use a control that is rated for more than one fan or has at least 5 amps.
