Fixing that Wobbly Ceiling Fan
Author: steve Published Under: Home
I love living in a home with a ceiling fan and often rely on this instead of a air conditioner, as it is much less expensive to run. However, if the fan becomes unbalanced, it can start to wobble and vibrate heavily, which is not only an inconvenience, but could cause problems with the wiring of the fan.
What Causes a Ceiling Fan to Wobble or Vibrate?
Most often, a wobbly ceiling fan is caused by an unbalanced blade, but there are a few other factors that could cause it. For example, if the blades are very close to a wall on one side or installed on a cathedral ceiling, it could be that the proximity of the wall causes an increase in turbulence, which results in a wobble.
Another factor that can cause a ceiling fan to vibrate is if the blades are warped, which will also cause a vibrating motion. It is also possible that the blades are out of track, which means that one or more of them ends up being closer to the ceiling than the rest.
Troubleshooting Your Wobbly Fan
To troubleshoot the fan, it is usually best to first check to see if any of the blades are out of track, which simply means that one or more of them ends up being closer to the ceiling than the others. To check if the blades are out of track, turn off the fan and measure the distance between the tip of the blade and the ceiling. Each blade should be the same.
If the blades are out of track, this is a manufacturing problem and should be covered under the fans warranty.
Next, it is usually best to check for whether the blades are unbalanced. You can do this by using a small clip, such as a clothespin, and placing the clip in the middle of the blade, between the base of the fan and the tip. The clothespin should be on the side of the blade than angles slightly towards the ceiling. Once the clip is in place, turn the fan on low and see if this fixes the wobble. If it does not, move to the next blade and try again. You can also play with the positioning of the ping to find the sweet spot that best balances the blade, but this is typically in the middle of the blade.
If the wobble is caused by an imbalance, this can be fixed by adding a weight to the blade that is not properly balanced. They actually sell weights designed specifically for this at most hardware stores, but you can also make your own. People often use fishing weights or coins that are taped unobtrusively to the fan blade.
If this does not fix the problem, remove two of the blades that are right next to each other, while leaving the other blades in place. While the blades are removed, check to make sure they are not warped, by placing them on a flat level surface. If they are not warped, switch the blades and see if this fixes the problem. Try this for the other blades as well.
If the blades are warped, you will need to purchase new replacement blades. If they are not warped, switching the blades position may still fix the wobble.