With the end of the winter season, all our focus goes on fans to prepare for the summer. The only relief we get in summer is by sitting under a high-speed fan. But sometimes in summer, fans running slow can become a problem, as it fails to provide the desired airflow which we expect from a fan. Such problems can arise because of issues with capacitors, motor windings, old bearings etc.
Today, we are going to discuss everything about fan speed problems and how to increase its speed.
Many times people face the problem of fans running slow, as fans' efficiency decreases. There are many reasons behind the slow running of your fan. Let's discuss all of them in detail:
A fan capacitor provides the appropriate power to the fan. 90% of speed issues in fans are caused due to poor capacitor performance. In case of capacitor failure, power is not appropriately transferred to the fan's motor. Hence, this can be the reason why your fans are running slowly.
Sometimes, your fan blades may get damaged, resulting in the fan's imbalance. It would help if you replaced the bent blades of the fans to make it run properly.
With time, the fan's ball bearings may accumulate dust, debris and dirt particles. Because of such factors, you can face the issue of fans running slow as it makes it difficult for bearings to move.
It is another factor which can slow down your fan's speed. This factor is commonly possible in fans not fit by professionals.
Lubrication plays a pivotal role in the efficient working of a fan. If not lubricated properly, the mechanical components present inside the fan will dry out. This lack of lubrication will result in slow fan speed with time, or your fan might even stop working altogether if this issue is not resolved.
Ceiling fans usually come with four to five-speed control features with two rotational directions. Such settings help homeowners maintain a comfortable temperature in the room. There are many reasons behind your fans running slow. But with few maintenance tasks, you can regain the speed. Below are some steps to improve the fan's speed. If these steps fail, you need to get help from professionals.
Step 1 You must improve fan vibrations. Clean the dust from the blades and tighten the screws present on the blade arms with the screwdriver. These screws are attached to the rotating arm of the fan.
Step 2 You must lubricate the fan's moving parts. Use 10, 15, or 20-weight oil to fill the fan's oil reservoir. You can check the oil weight as per the manufacturer's instructions. In case of a dirty reservoir, replace it with a fresh one. Make a few rotations of the fan blades, dump the oil and refill it.
Step 3 Turn 'ON' the fan to check the improvement in the fan's speed. In case the speed is still flowing, the problem is with the wiring and switch.
Step 4 Locate the pull chain switch on the fan. In case of a missing speed setting or bad switch, your fan will run slowly. Switch 'OFF' the fan and allow it to stop. Pull the chain to put the fan on at the lowest speed. Now listen to the fan motor while pulling the chain and check the fan on different speed settings. If you are unable to listen to the motor speed each time you pull the chain, the problem is with the switch.
Step 5 Check the wire through which the pull chain switch is connected to the fan. Find out the loose connection or bare wire in case of any. In case of a loose connection, reconnect the wire properly. In case of no wires, replace the switch.
Step 6 Check the motor windings if the switch replacement doesn't solve the problem. Motor windings are responsible for the multiple speeds of the fan. In case the bindings are broken, you need to replace the fan.
The above-mentioned steps can resolve the issue of fans running slow.
Below are some tips through which you can maintain the fan speed. Let's take a quick look at them:
Keep the room cool Maintain a comfortable temperature in the room to avoid running the fan at high speed. Insulate your room, and use window coverings to regulate room temperature.
Use fan with timer mode Many fans come with timer mode to decrease their speed by two notches automatically. It allows you to optimize the fan usage as per your schedule and preference.
Clean and maintain the motor With time, you must clean the dust and debris which accumulates inside the motor. Cleaning will ensure that the motor will run efficiently.
Replace the fan If your fan is old, then it's better to replace it with a new model. You can go with Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) fans, as they are more energy-efficient and come with features like a timer and sleep mode. These fans come with a remote control.
Look for electrical issues If you notice unusual speed change issues in the fan, call a professional to check the wiring or connection issue.
Use ceiling fan extenders If you have high ceilings, look for down-rod extensions for proper air circulation. It will ensure that your fan operates effectively, even in larger spaces.
Avoid overuse Switch 'OFF' the fan when not in use. It will not put an extra load on it when not required.
There are multiple issues which can slow down your fan's speed. Even if the basic troubleshooting mentioned in this blog doesn't resolve the issue of fans running slow for you, you can get help from professionals. Also, you must regularly maintain your fan to increase its life. If you are planning to upgrade your fan with new technology, then go with Atomberg's BLDC motor fans this time. As they are more energy-efficient as compared to traditional fans, they can save a lot on your electricity bills.
1. Can a dusty fan slow down its performance, and how can I clean it?
Excessive dust can either slow down or stop your fan from moving. You must clean the fan blades and motor regularly to resolve fan speed problems. You can clean the blades and motor with a damp cloth.
2. Is it normal for a fan to slow down over time?
Your ceiling fan speed can slow down because of dust accumulation, incorrect installation, capacitor issues, wiring problems or motor issues. Troubleshooting such problems includes part replacement, cleaning, and repair.
3. Should I check the fan's settings or controls first if it's running slowly?
Yes, you must then check the fan's settings and control. For this, you should check the fan regulator. You can also check the pull chain switch of the fan. Such things can resolve your fan running slow issue.
4. Is it possible to fix a slow-running fan myself, or should I hire a technician?
You must try to clean the fan blades and motor with a damp cloth or alcohol. You can also check the basic wiring or motor winding of the fan. If these basic steps don't work, get help from a professional.
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