If you’re noticing that your ceiling fan just isn’t cooling your home like it used to, you may be wondering if it’s time to replace it. Like other home appliances, ceiling fans become less effective with age. There are many reasons why replacing your ceiling fan is a good investment including energy savings, increased comfort and increased home value. Here are a few tell-tale signs that it’s time to replace your ceiling fan.

1. Your Ceiling Fan is Shaking or Looks Unstable

Once you notice your fan is wobbling while it circulates air, it may become hard to ignore and an annoyance to look at. There are a few quick fixes you can try to work out the imbalance of the blades before you look into replacement:

• Dust off the blades – a buildup of dust can cause the fan’s blades to become imbalanced, resulting in a wobbling fan while on.
• Tighten the screws – A loose screw could be the culprit of the uneven appearance of your fan. Check and tighten all the screws with a screwdriver

If these DIY fixes don’t help, there is most likely a bigger issue indicating a need for replacement. It most likely means that the fan’s motor is malfunctioning and causing it to shake and wobble, and the fixture is nearing the end of its lifespan.

2. Your Ceiling Fan Rotates Slower Than it Used to

If your fan used to cool down your room refreshingly quickly, and it just doesn’t get the job done anymore, it could be a sign of the motor malfunctioning. Ceiling fan motors have a certain lifespan, and it’s dependent on quality of the fixture, installation and other circumstances. If you’re just noticing the fixture slowing down, it will probably continue to lose speed as the motor continues to die. Because of this, it’s best to replace your fan as soon as you notice a decrease in speed. Purchasing a high quality fixture along with high quality installation will ensure that your fan keeps its speed and is installed to last.

3. Your Ceiling Fan is Noisy

You may have gotten used to that buzzing sound that begins right as you turn your fan on, but most fans are completely silent. If your ceiling fan is always accompanied by a buzzing or clicking sound, this may be an indication of a dying motor, or a malfunctioning piece due to wear and tear. You can have your fan inspected by a technician to determine if the issue is related to your power source, or if the fixture needs replacing.

4. You want to Improve Your Energy Efficiency

Not only can fans cool you off and create a comfortable atmosphere in your room, but this cooling effect also saves you money on your AC bill. New ceiling fan models come out yearly with improved features relating to energy consumption and functionality, saving both the environment and money on your electric bill. ENERGY STAR recommends up to date products including ceiling fans that are proven to be energy efficient. If you’re noticing your ceiling fan isn’t performing it’s best and your energy bill is increasing, consider the potential savings a new energy efficient ceiling fan could provide.

If you’ve determined it’s time to replace your ceiling fan fixture, call the experts at F.H. Furr to provide expert installation.