6 Steps To Replace a Ceiling Fan Motor (Quick Guide)

One of the most useful home appliances is the ceiling fan, and even though we sometimes give less priority to it, we can’t totally deny its usefulness in the home. Ceiling fans are great at keeping the home cool during hot summers.

However, there comes a time when the motor in your ceiling fan will go dead. This will prompt you to research on

How To Replace A Ceiling Fan Motor?

Three main factors to consider when replacing a ceiling fan motor are cost, difficulty level, and electrical skills. There are a few things you can check before fixing the fan motor.

• Check the power supply – Make sure that the power cord is plugged in and switched on.
• Check behind the fan to see if there is any loose wiring or frayed wiring that could be causing a short.
• Check whether the switch is working properly and has not been set to a position that prevents the fan from turning.
• If your fan has a remote control, refer to its instruction manual for details on how to use it (or repair it).
• Check the blades of your fan. If they are bent or broken, do not try to straighten them yourself, as it may cause more damage to the blades.

Steps In Replacing A Ceiling Fan Motor

Replacing a ceiling fan motor can be a difficult job for some, but it is not impossible. When replacing a ceiling fan motor, there is a step-by-step procedure you need to follow for a successful installation. Follow the steps listed below to replace the motor in your ceiling fan:

1. Turn Off Electricity Supply

The first step in replacing a ceiling fan motor is to turn off the circuit breaker that serves the room in which it is installed. While it’s possible to replace a ceiling fan motor while leaving the power on, this can be very dangerous. The fan blades can still move even without power, and someone could get hurt if they’re standing too close to them.

2. Remove The Light Kits In Your Ceiling Fan

For ceiling fans with a light bulb, remove the light before starting work on replacing the ceiling fan motor. The bulbs are usually held in place by screws, which will have to be removed in order to take out the bulbs.

3. Remove The Blades

Unscrew the blades from the fan. Using a screwdriver, remove them from their blade holders. Removing the blades will allow more ease when replacing your ceiling fan motor. Ensure to keep the blades in a safe location free from any pressure that can result in bending.

4. Remove The Wires On Old The Old Ceiling Fan Motor

Remove the covering of the wires connecting to your old motor if it’s still connected to your ceiling fan. Undo the wires connecting to your old motor and note how they connect (there will likely be two wires). Take note of the wires and where they are connected to. You can as well take a picture of the connection to serve as a guide when installing the new motor.

5. Disconnect Your Old Motor

Take out the screws holding the motor onto the ceiling fan. Take them with you when you go out to purchase your new ceiling fan motor so that you can match up the correct size. Ensure that you buy a motor with appropriate ratings that is suitable for your ceiling fan.

6. Install New Motor

Carefully connect the wires on the new motor to those that were disconnected from the old one. Then screw in place your housing on top of your ceiling. Finally, test your fan and make sure it works before you put everything back together.

4 Reasons Why Did My Ceiling Fan Stop Working

Your ceiling fan can stop working due to different problems, ranging from power supply problems to faulty parts. The most common reasons your ceiling fan is not turning are power faults, capacitor problems, or a bad motor. Here are a few reasons your ceiling fan is not functioning:

1. Power Fault

The most common reason is that the electrical connection between the fan and the switch is faulty. To test this, make sure you’ve got power going to your ceiling fan. If it’s plugged directly into a wall socket, ensure the switch is turned on.

If it’s plugged into a surge protector or power strip, ensure that the device is turned on and receiving electricity (test this by plugging in another electrically powered device). If there isn’t enough voltage for both devices, unplug something else from that strip and plug in your ceiling fan.

2. Check The Remote Control

If the fan still doesn’t work and you’re sure there is an electricity supply to the fan, you may have a problem with your ceiling fan remote. First, make sure you’re pointing it at your ceiling fan correctly, and try re-syncing it with your wall controls. If that doesn’t work, replace your remote controls with a new one.

3. Capacitor

Another reason your fan might not be working is a faulty capacitor. Check the capacitor of your ceiling fan to make sure it is functioning optimally and is not faulty. If the capacitor is not working, then you need to replace it with a new one.

4. Motor

Finally, if all of these issues have been ruled out and your fan still isn’t working, then you may have a problem with the motor itself. You might hear a humming noise if this is the case, or if there’s no sound at all, you will need to replace your ceiling fan motor with a new one.

How Do I Know If My Ceiling Fan Motor Is Bad?

If you’re not sure if your ceiling fan motor is bad, it’s easy enough to find out by just turning the fan on high and observing how fast the blades spin. If they’re moving slowly, then you know that the motor is bad. Here are some major signs that indicate bad motor:

• Noisy operation – If your ceiling fan is making an abnormal noise, it may be a sign of a problem with the motor.
• Trouble turning – If fan blades are having difficulty turning, you may need a replacement motor.
• Wobbling – If your fan wobbles when in use, a new motor may be needed to restore proper balance.

Can A Ceiling Fan Motor Overheat?

Overheating is one of the biggest dangers that can come with a ceiling fan motor. Some of these fans are on for hours at a time and the components become hot for a long time and begin to overheat. Listed below are some of the causes of overheating in a ceiling fan motor:

Poor Ventilation

The motors in most ceiling fans are made to withstand high temperatures while still performing well. However, they can overheat if they aren’t properly ventilated or if they are exposed to a lot of dust or other debris. If you’ve recently cleaned out your ceiling fan, consider installing a filter to prevent dust from getting inside the fan casing.

Improper Installation

Ceiling fans that have been installed properly will not overheat the motor because there is enough ventilation around it. If your motor overheats, you should check your installation first and make sure that the blades and housing aren’t blocking any ventilation holes in the fan.

Inferior Quality of Motor

The length of time that a ceiling fan can run before it overheats depends on its intended use and quality. Cheap fans meant for outdoor use or summer use might not last long at all, while high-quality fans will have motors capable of withstanding continuous use for several hours or longer.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Ceiling Fan Motor?

The cost of replacing a ceiling fan motor depends on the type of ceiling fan you have and where you purchase the replacement motor. The more complex your ceiling fan, the more expensive it will be to replace the motor. The average price for a ceiling fan motor replacement is $100 to $150

How Long Do Ceiling Fan Motors Last?

Ceiling fan motors can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years, depending on the quality of the motor. The life of a ceiling fan motor depends on the quality and the maintenance. The more you use it, the faster it shortens its lifespan. It is recommended to change ceiling fan motors every five years.

Conclusion

Replacing ceiling fan motors is a relatively easy job. With ceiling fans becoming more and more popular in warmer climates, it’s good to know how to swap a ceiling fan motor when something goes wrong. The whole process can be done in a day, using common household tools.