5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Old Ceiling Fan

A ceiling fan is a hero when it comes to home comfort and energy saving. Have you ever considered that the fan which has been whirring above your head and circulating the air may be your ceiling fan? 

However, this does not mean that it is going to last forever. Using a fan that is out of date may result in a frustrating performance issue that is frustrating, wasted energy that is wasted and even a risk of getting hurt.

Not quite sure if your old hand should be taken out of service? These are five unmistakable indications that the time has come to bid farewell to your aged ceiling fan and adopt an efficient and stylish new model.

1. It’s Making Strange Noises (Beyond the Gentle Breeze)

This means that the fan you have should be making a soothing, gentle humming sound – which is the sound of the air being moved. If the fan is now greeting you with loud and irritating sounds of a number of things such as grinding, squeaking, clicking or rattling, it is a very bad signal.

What The Noise Might Mean

Grinding or Whining

This symptom usually comes from the worn motor bearings. It is sometimes remedied by adding lubricant, but most times it means that the motor is failing.

Loud Clicking

It may be an indication of a loosened flywheel that attaches to the motor shaft or an issue from within the motor housing.

Persistent Rattling

The blades could be unbalanced or loosening the mounting screws and this could be a safety hazard

If the problem fan is not resolved by just tightening a few screws, then it is probably the fan that has reached its end of life. Fans of today are equipped with a motor of higher quality that allows them to operate quietly.

2. Shaking at High Speeds

Generally, a slight and almost unnoticeable wobble is considered normal, particularly when the fan is operating at its highest speed. The reality is that if the fan is almost detaching itself from the ceiling with the shaking motion, then you have a serious problem.

The main causes for a large wobble are usually the loosening of the mounting hardware, blades having been warped or the motor being unbalanced. This is the case even if you are able to temporarily and moderately balance it as the considerable shaking puts an immense amount of stress on the bracket that holds the mounting together and the ceiling box. 

As a result, the fan detaching from the ceiling is the final stage of the issue and this means it can be a great safety hazard. 

If the shaking is at its maximum, it is still there, going on indefinitely and it cannot be fixed by means of basic rebalancing thereby the replacement being the safest and most suitable choice.

3. You are Barely Able to Feel the Wind from the Fan

By all means, you set the fan to the strongest level, but what you get as the result is not "breeze" but rather a faint breath. In case the fan in your home is not functioning in terms of air circulation, it is basically the same as not having one at all. 

Some Factors That May Cause The Old Fan To Blow Poorly Are

Condition Of The Motor Which Causes A Slower Air Flow

The wearing of the motor bit by bit may result in the motor getting weaker thus it will no longer be able to supply the required torque. So that means the motor won't be able to spin the fan blades quickly. So not enough air to flow.

Old Blade Pitch 

In fact, old fans usually have a lower blade pitch (the angle of the blade) which is, by nature, less efficient in air circulation than the new ones.

Wrong Size

In case a fan was set up a couple of years ago and the room has grown bigger, the fan will never be able to provide the proper cooling.

After all, a brand-new fan with a DC motor that saves energy and perfectly designed blades can blow even 40% more air than a very old AC model, thus the temperature of the room will go down immediately. 

4. It is Missing Essential Modern Features (or it is Consuming a Lot of Energy)

Ceiling fans have changed significantly over the last ten years thanks to technology. In case your fan is still controlled by pull chains, and you can neither turn the light off nor change its intensity independently from the fan speed, you are certainly lacking both convenience and efficiency. 

Your Modern Fan Can Have The Following Features

Remote Control

Change the parameters from your sofa or phone without getting up.

Energy-Efficient DC Motors

Consume at most one-third of the energy that an AC motor does.

Integrated LED Lighting

Produces more light that is also more controllable, and it saves energy.

Reversible Operation via Remote

Without the need to get up, remove the heat or enter the air-conditioning mode with the remote.

If your fan is a power hog and is missing even the most basic modern features, the energy savings accrued in the long run by installing a new one will be a fast way to your replacement cost compensation.

5. The Light Kit Has Ceased to Function (or is Creating a Hazard)

Is the light flickering or has it stopped working completely even after you have changed the bulb?

Besides the light not working, the very old ceiling fans can also have wiring and socket issues that are small fire hazards especially in cases when the fans were not installed by a professional. 

Moreover, old light kits normally consist of less efficient incandescent or CFL bulbs and may even look outdated. 

In case you are using a fan with a light kit that not only has an unusual bulb which is difficult to find but also poorly illuminates the room, then switching to a fan with an integrated LED light kit will bring tremendous convenience to your life.

Conclusion

The ceiling fan is a root of comfort in your home. Your fan might start making whirring noises or might even start shaking. Fans that are old, or used up take more energy and your power bills will keep going up. Not changing a faulty fan can also possibly lead to an accident; it’s better to change it fast.

In case it is making an annoying noise, has a shaky movement, works inefficiently, or is visually displeasing and consumes a lot of energy, then it is the right time for a change. 

A new ceiling fan will not only increase your home's comfort and aesthetic appeal but will also save you money on your electricity bills, making it one home improvement you won't regret.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How do I know when to replace my ceiling fan?

You have to replace a ceiling fan if it is still making noises after you tried to fix it, it is wobbling heavily, hardly blowing, it does not have modern features (e.g. energy efficiency), or it raises safety concerns.

Q2. How do you know when your ceiling fan is going bad?

The most significant indications of a failing ceiling fan include continuous strange noises (grinding, clicking), slowing down visibly, heavily wobbling, and a hot motor to the touch.

Q3. What is the lifespan of a ceiling fan?

Most fans hang in there for 10 to 15 years. If you bought a good one and actually take care of it, you might squeeze out 20 years or so.

Q4. What is the biggest advantage of a BLDC ceiling fan?

The single biggest advantage is very high energy efficiency. DC motor fans consume very little electricity and are usually quiet and have more speed settings than old AC motor fans.

Q5. Do ceiling fans slow down with age?

The answer is yes. Ceiling fans do that almost always, but not necessarily that fast. Still, inevitable wear and tear on the motor's internal components, for instance, worn-out bearings or dried-up lubrication, is the reason why ceiling fans often slow down with age.