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If you are an amateur in the world of cooling appliances, you may wonder how to fix a slow ceiling fan. Many of the best fans, after all, are mounted on ceilings, though they are susceptible to maintenance issues over time. So, what troubleshooting steps should you take to get your fan spinning at a normal speed? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
There are many fan designs out there, each with unique quirks. In other words, there is no universal solution here, just as when learning how to fix a squeaky ceiling fan. There are, however, several tried-and-true troubleshooting tips that will speed up the fan and improve overall efficiency if you are learning how to fix a noisy ceiling fan and solve other issues.
Insider Tip
Make a habit out of cleaning your fans every one to three months.
Here are some useful steps to take here to solve the problem of a slow fan, though you won’t learn how to change a fan direction here. Also, a correctly-installed fan requires less maintenance, so learn how to properly install a ceiling fan for future reference.
Any fan that is out of balance can start to run slowly over time, in addition to developing frustrating squeaky noises during use. Your first, and simplest, troubleshooting step is to give the blades and related components a thorough cleaning. Go in with a microfiber cloth or two and your preferred cleaning solution. As a general rule of thumb, clean your fan blades every one to three months, depending on how much you use the fan.
Next, go in with a screwdriver and related tools to tighten any applicable screws and fasteners. Start with the blades, securing the screws that attach them to the housing. Next, go to the lighting fixture and tighten those fasteners. Finally, secure the upper canopy in place, ensuring it is mounted correctly and not loose or shaky. These simple maintenance tasks add up, resulting in a fan that spins at the proper speed.
If those simple troubleshooting steps don’t work, look into replacing the fan’s capacitor. The capacitor is responsible for delivering the correct amount of power to the motor. If there is one faulty component that causes slow spinning speeds, it is this capacitor. Look into a suitable replacement model and hire a pro to complete the installation.
STAT: For optimum performance, ceiling fan blades should be at least 2.4 m from the floor but no higher than 2.8 m in order to best cool a room. (source)
