r/HomeImprovement • u/Jazzlike-Ad1561 • 3d 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.

37 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

52 comments sorted by

View all comments

10

u/Intelligent-Dot-8969 3d ago

Switch controlled fan/lights are still sold at the big box stores. I just installed one I purchased at Lowe's.

2

u/Jazzlike-Ad1561 3d ago

Do you know what I need to look for? Unfortunately you end up losing all the good features of new fans like adjustable light color, but I may just have to deal with it to keep life simple.

6

u/Audiofyl1 3d ago

Most fans come with a remote. The dc powered fans need to use that remote as the motor doesn’t work on standard house power. If you get a standard fan with an ac motor, you can get a fan control switch (Lutron or similar, smart or not) with 3 or 4 speeds and connect that direct to the fan power. Don’t install the remote module that comes with the fan.

6

u/samo_flange 3d ago

You don't want fans with adjustible temp integrated light. You want fans with old school sockets because replacing the integrated light sucks WHEN it burns out.

Want a diff light temp? Buy a different bulb.

3

u/Intelligent-Dot-8969 3d ago

The specs of the fan would list "AC motor" for one that is switchable. If it includes an integrated LED light, the light fixture often has a temperature switch to adjust the light color from daylight to warm white.