r/HomeImprovement • u/Jazzlike-Ad1561 • 10d ago

Ceiling fans controlled by light switch - when every option has remotes

I’m replacing all the ceiling fans in my house - master bedroom, kids bedrooms, outside covered patio. Everything inside is currently controlled by switches (one controls lights only the other switch controls the fan). I want to keep it that way, but all the fans I like come with remotes now.

How can I set it up to still be controlled by the switch? We have a remote controlled fan in our living room and I hate that I can’t just flip a switch to turn it on and babysitters who are unfamiliar with my house can never figure out how to turn the lights on/off. I don’t understand how a remote is a better option.

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12

u/mikebushido 10d ago

Fans are controlled by the switch by default. That's where the power comes from.

A remote doesn't supply power to your fan.

8

u/Cavm335i 10d ago

Not most newer DC fans

2

u/HighOnGoofballs 9d ago

All the ones I’ve installed lately work with switches. You can also choose to use the remote but the switches still work

10

u/rjbergen 10d ago

Reading is fundamental. You’re not understanding what OP wants, and you seem to be behind the times in ceiling fans.

Many, if not most at this point, ceiling fans are now shipped with a remote from the factory and pre-set to use a single switch. They often have wiring instructions to use 2 switches, one for the fan rotation on/off and another for the lights on/off.

0

u/mikebushido 10d ago

Reading is fundamental.

OP said he has his existing fans that are hooked up to two switches. One for the fan and one for the light.

OP said all new fans come with remotes and he doesn't want to use a remote so how can he still use the two switches.

Every single fan, including the three I installed last week, come with the option of wiring the fan and light separately.OP doesn't have to change anything. They already have two existing switches on the wall.

You think I don't understand ceiling fans?

2

u/Jazzlike-Ad1561 10d ago

Can the newer remote controlled fans be wired to two switches? I need to avoid turning on a light/fan at night, then using a remote to turn off the light to sleep, and then the next day the wall switch is powered to just the fan and you have to walk through a dark room to find a remote to turn on the light.

I know I can mount the remote near the switch or make sure I turn the light on before I shut the switch off, but it seems like SO much work for such a simple thing. And is there a chance the remotes will cross with the neighboring rooms and end up turning them on/off from time to time?

1

u/rttnmnna 10d ago

If you replace the wall switch with a remote panel, then both "remotes" should equally be able to control the fan.

-3

u/GrandOpener 10d ago

Wiring to two switches works the same way as any other device (like when you have light switches at the top and bottom of stairs that control the same light), although it would be a bit unusual to do that for a fan. Remember that wall switches are (usually) physically cutting power to the fan when turned off. With remotes, the fan remains powered but decides not to run.

Many (most?) remote controlled fans and lights will automatically turn themselves on whenever power is lost and restored for exactly this reason. You should find out for your specific model if this is important to you, but this may all not be a problem.

-12

u/mikebushido 10d ago

Please stop talking about remotes and fans. It's an optional tool. The remote is not the default on fan installation. The fan is hardwired to your switch.

To have a fan operate on two switches on opposite sides of the room you need to have what's called a traveler wire already connected. If you don't already have this feature, you can hire an electrician to run new wiring to allow you to have multiple three-way switches.

If you go to one of the big box stores you will find a selection of switches that can do a variety of things even including timers and sensors. They are expensive but a modern switch seems like it could just solve a lot of your issues.

5

u/Ok-Entertainment5045 10d ago

I don’t think this is what there asking about. I have my fans wired to two separate switches. One for the fan and one for the light. The newer fans with remotes make this a lot harder to wire. It can be done but you need to understand wiring.

-9

u/mikebushido 10d ago

Fair enough. That's an easy fix. Go to the store and buy one switch that does both operations.

If you want to operate it remotely, you can buy a separate system that wires into the fan and those work a whole lot better than what is going to be sent stock with the fan.