Ceiling Fans Archives - Turn It On Electric

Why ceiling fan direction is important

29May2021

We all agree ceiling fans are terrific energy-savers. You can save power every season by coordinating your ceiling fan with your thermostat. They circulate cooling air or warmth throughout each room. Did you know ceiling fan direction impacts your comfort level?

How Ceiling Fan Direction Impacts Comfort

The benefits of ceiling fans are without argument. And the latest styles are attractive. Some can actually make your ceiling fan a room’s focal point.

In the summer, the fan blades should rotate counterclockwise. The air blows gently against your skin and creates a minor “wind chill factor.” This makes you feel cooler than you would without the fan. Your air conditioning system doesn’t have to work harder for you to keep your cool.

Hot air rises. When it’s cold weather, the ceiling fan direction should be reversed. The rotation draws cool air upwards and circulates the warm air downwards. This downdraft circulates warmth throughout the room.

Don\’t DIY: Here\’s Why

One of the reasons ceiling fan installation isn’t a DIY (do-it-yourself) project is you need to have advanced knowledge about electrical wiring. It’s not worth the risk to you or your family. And you won’t win anybody’s admiration if the ceiling fan falls on the family cat. Another reason is, if your DIY electrical installation causes a fire, your insurance company can refuse to cover the damages.

The fan and its light fixture require correct wiring. You must also have the appropriate UL-listed metal outlet box mounted above the ceiling. The box should be mounted at the point where the ceiling fan is connected. If you’re replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan light fixture, the electrical box will probably need to be replaced.

Ceiling fans can weigh as much as 50 pounds. Balancing on a ladder, juggling the ceiling fan motor and anchoring it to a ceiling joist is challenging. If the joist isn’t in the middle of the ceiling, you’ll need a special mounting bracket with spiked ends installed between the joists.

Technology Advancements Save Money; Save the Planet

Everyone wants to save energy. Even the most narcissistic humans acknowledge saving energy saves money. It’s a win-win.

DC technology is gaining sophistication so you might consider installing a DC ceiling fan. The motor powers up when a small electrical current passes through a magnetic field coil. This results in a magnetic force that causes the motor to rotate the fan blades. A DC ceiling fan can save as much as 70% of the electricity used.

Smart home ceiling fans take convenience and savings to new heights. Your options are to upgrade a current ceiling fan or buy a new, smart ceiling fan. New smart ceiling fans cost between $300-$1,000. Both involve using a certified professional electrician in the Phoenix area.

Smart ceiling fans coordinate with your home’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You can program them on your way home. You can pre-program them to turn on and off at certain times of every day. Your smart ceiling fan will use LED lights that offer degrees of brightness.

Other ceiling fan advancements include:

Infrared remote control
Occupancy sensor
Smartphone app
Temperature/humidity sensor
Timer/scheduler
Voice control
Z-wave wall switch

TIO Electric for Home Electrical Technology

You want a technology-trained professional for your home improvement project. For Phoenix residential or commercial electrical projects, Turn It On Electric is Maricopa County’s choice. Contact TIO Electric today.

Ceiling Fans, Electrician, Residential

Use a licensed electrician when adding a ceiling fan

29May2021

As summer quickly approaches, adding a ceiling fan can keep you comfortable. It can lower your monthly HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) bill. Ceiling fans are feel-good energy-savers!

Adding a Ceiling Fan to Your Arizona Home

DIYers (do-it-yourselfers) are the most responsible, knowledgeable homeowners in the USA. They strive to learn about their homes’ systems: plumbing, heating and cooling, landscaping, electricity…all the things that keep a house safe and comfortable.

The most important thing savvy homeowners know is when not to DIY. When it comes to taking care of their homes, DIYers understand some upgrades are best left to the professionals. Adding a ceiling fan is one of those times.

Smart Homes, Smart Ceiling Fans

Modern ceiling fans aren’t pull-the-cord controlled. Just as you can program your thermostat before you arrive home, you can pre-program or manually input ceiling fan settings. If you have a smart thermostat (Nest, Ecobee, etc.), you can integrate your ceiling fan to your thermostat.

Smart ceiling fans operate with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and cost anywhere from $300 – $1,000+. Some of the top-rated ceiling fan companies include:

Bond (control hubs)
Haiku
Honeywell
Hunter Fan Company
Minka-Aire

When adding a ceiling fan to a room you can integrate with Alexa, Siri, Google Home, etc. Smart ceiling fans are programmable but they can also sense a room’s current temperature and choose the appropriate comfort setting.

Look for:

Energy efficiency – Temperature/humidity sensors
Indoor/outdoor versions
LED lights
Reversible motors

To control your smart ceiling fan, use:

Infrared remote
Occupancy sensor
Smartphone
Temperature/humidity sensor
Timer
Voice
Wall switch

Options for Adding a Ceiling Fan

You have a lot of considerations when you invest in a smart ceiling fan. Here’s what Smart Home Scout shares:

If you already have a Z-Wave or Zigbee smart home hub, replacing your ceiling fan wall switch with a Z-wave version to control your fan settings and light is a cost-effective option.
If you want to save energy and gain more control of your environment, a smart ceiling fan is a good choice. The cost compared to a “dumb” fan isn’t that much more and can be made up in energy bill savings.
Retrofitting your pull-cord fan is very cost-effective. You won’t have temperature sensors, etc. But you will have added control and scheduling options.

Before You Buy, Call TIO Electric

The most common mistake homeowners make when adding a ceiling fan is buying the wrong size. A ceiling fan size is measured in “room sweep.” If your ceiling fan is too small, it just won’t get the job done. If it’s too big, it may feel like a swamp box fan.

But electrical wiring mistakes are the second most common mistake. Working with electricity is dangerous and simply not worth the risk.

Ceiling fans weigh about 50 pounds. If an improperly mounted ceiling fan falls on a small child, senior, or family pet, severe injury or death could result.
If you’re replacing a standard light fixture with a combination ceiling fan-light fixture, the electrical box (above the ceiling) will probably need to be replaced.
If your DIY-installed ceiling fan wiring sparks a fire, your insurance company can deny coverage.
There are installation code requirements that vary by state and county.

If you prefer your current ceiling fan but would like to upgrade its operation, we can hardwire an electronic device inside your fan or replace your dedicated wall switch with another version that will connect and control your ceiling fan.

You want safety first for any renovation project. Our licensed electricians are technology-trained professionals. For ceiling fan installation in Maricopa and Pima counties, Turn It On Electric is a smart home choice.

Contact Turn It On Electric today.

Ceiling Fans, Residential

Benefits of a ceiling fan switch

16Mar2021

Your ceiling fan has two chains and invariably, you turn the light off when, in fact, you want to turn the ceiling fan on. Or you tug the chain twice and it generates a whirlwind in the room. A ceiling fan switch solves both problems.

Quit Yanking Your Chain with a Ceiling Fan Switch

We like vaulted ceilings in Arizona. They are charming, have an “old-world” elegance, and if they offer plenty of natural light, can add value to a property. Some people think vaulted ceilings are a waste of space and energy.

If you have a vaulted ceiling, enjoy the natural light and add a ceiling fan because it conserves energy and costs about $12/year to operate. But you’ll need a ceiling fan switch. And the wiring may include working with cross-beams and drywall finishing. It’s a job for your local professional electrician.

Advantages to Ceiling Fans and Smart Switches

Ceiling fans are energy-savers. When you enter the house on a hot day, it’s tempting to adjust the thermostat to cool down. Turn on your ceiling fan first. Ceiling fans don’t actually affect room temperature, but they affect how you feel. They also can lower your heating bill if you have a reverse switch.

“To me, having to manually reach up and pull the pull-chain on a ceiling fan is as awful as having to manually lift up your garage door,” says Eric Blank. But it isn’t practical to toss out your old ceiling fan if it works well.

Blank says his ideal ceiling fan has:

Auto on/off with PIR motion sensors
Voice control
Wall switch – Sometimes you’re in a hurry. Nothing beats a ceiling fan switch.

You’ll have the best opportunity for customization if you install a separate light switch and ceiling fan switch on the wall. You can have wall-mounted fan-speed control; a “smart” process, but the convenience of manually adjusting fan and light.

Don’t DIY. Just Don’t.

The thing is when you’re wiring a ceiling fan switch, what seems logical – like using a dimmer switch that’s already in place – doesn’t work. You can’t use a dimmer switch for fan speed control.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll buy one of those WiFi switches that are sold as “fan controllers.” They don’t have the required circuitry to control a ceiling fan motor. The noise is the best thing that happens as a result; the motor damage is often beyond repair.

Fiddling with electricity is risky. And risking property damages that your insurance company won’t cover because of your do-it-yourself ceiling fan switch installation is a problem. Electrocuting the family pet is worse; much worse.

TIO Electric: Smart Electricians for Arizona

It’s just smarter to install smart controls throughout your home.

If you’d like to install a ceiling fan, you’re not stuck with a saloon-type rustic fixture. Ceiling fan styles are so interior-design savvy that some are room focal points.

If you want to upgrade your ceiling fan fixture, let’s discuss the possibilities. Turn It On Electric wants to make any home or office renovation exciting and affordable. Call or contact us today to learn more.

Ceiling Fans, Residential

Homeowners guide to ceiling fan installation

16Mar2021

There’s a lot to love about ceiling fans! For those of us interested in conserving energy while improving IAQ (indoor air quality), a ceiling fan installation is a logical upgrade to any room. Today’s ceiling fans are 60% more efficient, thanks to improved motors and blade designs.

5 Advantages of Ceiling Fan Installation

Five benefits of ceiling fan installation are:

Comfort – Ceiling fans circulate air, including warm air from your HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) unit. Just reverse the fan blade direction clockwise to draw the warm air from the ceiling down toward the room, where you need it.
Lighting – Lighting will be enhanced by your ceiling fan light fixture. If you already have a working light, you can upgrade it with a ceiling fan for more attractive lighting ambience.
Please note: Just because you have the wiring in-place for lighting doesn’t mean you have the ceiling support to add the weight of a fan. Your local electrician will determine what’s needed for ceiling fan installation.
Lower monthly bills – Ceiling fans don’t work like your air conditioning system. They don’t generate cooler air. But the air circulation feels like the room is cooler, even when you raise the thermostat.
Style – You won’t have to compromise your cutting-edge contemporary interior décor with a rustic saloon-type ceiling fan installation. You’ll be amazed at the diversity in ceiling fan and lighting styles! You may even choose to make your new fixture a focal point.
Unlimited versatility – Ceiling fan installation is appropriate for any room in the house. And with the rise of outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas, a ceiling fan will enhance your porch or patio comfort.

Quit Pulling Their Chains

You don’t have to yank the chain – and inevitably, you grab the wrong chain – then tug it once, twice…no, that’s too much like a whirlwind, so you begin the chain-pulling process anew.

Ceiling fans are much smarter these days. You can say, “Alexa, turn on fan.” And Alexa will cheerfully say, “Okay!” You can operate with a Bluetooth-enabled ceiling fan installation. You can turn it on before you reach home to begin cooling-down a room or rooms.

One ceiling fan model exceeds ENERGY STAR requirements by a whopping 450% and comes with integrated LED lights in 16 brightness levels.

What You Should Know

Remember, you’re only saving energy by-the-room and if someone is in the room. Don’t run ceiling fans randomly throughout the house. By raising the thermostat and using a ceiling fan, you will maintain the same level of comfort for less energy.

We respect and admire homeowner DIYers (do-it-yourselfers) because they make informed decisions. The smartest DIYers know when to call a professional.

Ceiling fan installation is one of those times:

Building codes – Maricopa County and your city/town have specific building codes. If you don’t follow the codes, your ceiling fan installation would be a violation. If you’re thinking, “Who would know?” you’re right.
No one would know unless there was a house fire or injury resulting from your DIY ceiling fan installation. Then, you could be investigated, fined, and your insurance company denies coverage for property or personal injury resulting from your DIY project.
Danger – Did you know electricians wear textured-tread rubber-sole shoes? Some of our shoes are waterproof with safety toes. As you stand on your rickety ladder in your bare feet, seriously reconsider the DIY ceiling fan and chandelier installation.
It may look okay until it falls on the family pet. You may think it’s working well until someone gets shocked turning it on. Injury and electrocution are risks you shouldn’t take.
Electricity – The electricity you enjoy every day is a complex system. A DIY ceiling fan installation can lead to dangerous household problems with switches and sockets. You may pay more for the repair than the professional ceiling fan installation would have cost in the first place.

Call Turn It On Electric

Any ceiling fan or overhead lighting installation is a job for a professional electrician. Protecting your family and your property is your first concern. It’s ours, too.

Contact Turn It On Electric for more information.

Ceiling Fans, Maintenance, Residential, Safety

Can bathroom fans keep you from getting sick?

15Apr2020

Bathroom fans aren’t just for odors. Their primary purpose is to decrease moisture in bathrooms. New sensors and timers can keep your rooms’ humidity at a level that controls bacteria, mildew, mold, and viruses.

How Traditional Bathroom Fans Work

Bathroom exhaust systems have a ceiling fan connected to ductwork that leads to outside ventilation. Older bathroom fans may be noisy – in fact, if they’re too quiet they probably aren’t working.

Most bathroom fans are controlled by a wall switch. Usually, you turn it on as you exit the bathroom and forget to turn it off until much later. The exhaust fan should be on for about 20 minutes following toilet or shower use. If you leave it on too long, ball bearings inside can lock up which could cause the motor to overheat. That’s a fire hazard you want to avoid.

Bathroom Fans Can Reduce Bacterial Growth

There are ways to control bacterial levels in your bathroom. In addition to frequent cleanings, close the toilet lid when you flush. If your toilet is in the same room as your sink, store your toothbrushes in a cabinet. Exhaust fans can’t completely eliminate moisture-related bacteria.

Your bathroom fan may not be working if you have:

Ceiling/wall moisture stains
Frequent frost on windows
Metal corrosion
Mold
Peeling wallpaper/paint
“Uncomfortable,” heavy air quality

Humidity sensors not only “clean-up” your air; they also save money by lowering energy use. People with frequent allergies or illnesses are likely candidates for home humidity sensors.

Humidity Sensors: How They Work

The sensor unit is a “hygrometer.” It measures and reports air temperature and moisture levels. Those measurement ratios are called “relative humidity” and impact your comfort level.

Capacitive sensors use metal oxide electrical components.
Resistive sensors use salts and ions to measure electrical resistance and reactance.
Thermal sensors conduct electricity using dry nitrogen and ambient air (the ratio of nitrogen to oxygen) sensors.

Any electrical appliance installation should be managed by your local electrical contractor. It’s not worth the risk of fire or damage and can void your insurance policy. Plus, installing a basic bathroom fan is a time-consuming and difficult job. (Don’t try this at home.)

Installing a humidity sensor is assuredly not a DIY (do-it-yourself) job. They must be calibrated on a 9-point curve system. A professional must adjust the voltage deviation.

Humidity sensors should have an accurate rise time and fall time for voltage output. This is known as “response time.” A DIY bathroom fan installation could be essentially worthless if the sensor is out of sync and you don’t know it.

3 Seasons for Allergies; 13 Weeks for Flu

We only have 4 seasons and three of them are high in allergens. This year, the flu season (normally 13 weeks) is taking longer to dissipate. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is important to keeping allergens at bay and controlling the transmission of viruses.

“It’s difficult to predict how (the flu virus) will behave,” says LiveScience, “But even if you can’t predict what will happen, you can prepare for it.” There are

IAQ Important to Health and Comfort

Good indoor air quality and clean water top the list of property owner requirements. Homeowners and commercial businesses want comfortable, clean air. Replacing your bathroom fam with a humidity-sensing appliance can be your ticket to better health, too.

Now is a good time to schedule that home improvement project you’ve been putting off! If you have questions about any type of electrical installation, please contact the professionals at Turn It On Electric.

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Chuck P

01:46 23 Jan 25

Friendly, communicative, and professional.High quality work.

Renee Delu

18:10 11 Jan 25

Mike you are the best!! God bless you for comming out saturday when I blew my fuse trying to vacumm and shout out to Josh who although not have sat office hours called me anyway after I left a voicemail. .Bob Best was here and gave me amazing information that NO OTHER electrician had. .!! I'm happy to say this is an amazing caring company...and I'm a customer for life!! Please recognize and reward Mike And Josh for them saving me on Saturday as my security system had no power and my smoke alarm had been beeping for hours. These men deserve kudos. .if you are looking fir honest and highly qualified electrical work. This is where to go. I'm thankful and grateful. Bob is now an instructor ..I'm happy to know future electricians are being schooled and trained by him. Thanks to you all

Wally Johns

01:31 11 Jan 25

Good work and very polite guys.

Rebecca RB

01:03 21 Oct 24

This company literally saved us! We had some electrical issues discovered that were rather alarming and created an issue with the garage door opener completely lost power as well as our outdoor dusk to dawn lighting and the interior garage lights. Mike the electrician came to the rescue! He listened to the issues in my non electrical language (haha) translated it and solved everything with confidence! Knowledgeable, Friendly, prompt, professional and efficient! Highly recommended! Will definitely call for future needs!

luci redmond

15:28 12 Oct 24

Great customer service & a job well done!

Samuel Heffner

17:04 14 Aug 24

I called TIO Electric because a friend referred them and they did not disappoint. I had an issue and it was rough identifying the source of the problem. Miguel and Conrad worked together to identify and solve the problem quickly. As a services based business it was extremely important to get the repair done quickly and the team stayed to ensure the job was done before they left. I expected to have to schedule another visit due to the complexity of the case, but they understood I needed to be back up and running as soon as possible and got the job done in just a few hours. They were very professional and personable and the cost was in line with what I expected.Update 8/14/24: TIO helped me again. This time with an issue I was having at my home. Marcus was very nice and knowledgable and was able to identify the problem and make the repair in quick time. I had a secondary issue I wasn't too worried about, but Marcus took care of that as well. These guys know what they're doing. Still highly recommend.They did a great job. I would definitely recommend them for projects big and small.

Caren Zellmer

12:46 03 Jul 24

Excellent service!! Marcus has been to our house a couple of times and completed the work doing an AMAZING job. He was very polite, professional and explained every process to us. His work was also completed in a timely manner. It is very rare to find anyone with great work ethic anymore! This company is very lucky to have him. We would definitely recommend and use Turn It On Electric again.

Bob

14:42 10 Jun 22

They were on time, clean, friendly, professional and did an amazing job. I would have to say that the price was fair considering the amount of work done. Highly recommend Turn It On Electrical!

Category Archives: Ceiling Fans