Why do I need to learn how to balance a ceiling fan? An unbalanced ceiling fan can be wobbly, unnerving to look at, and often very loud.. The rattling it makes can be distracting and in addition to this, the bearings and bushings supporting the motor and other components can wear out faster. Below, we will walk you through how to balance a ceiling fan, so it’s steady, safe, and effective.
How to Balance a Ceiling Fan Guide
Balancing a ceiling fan doesn’t require much expertise. You can do it with a step ladder, tape measure, and screwdriver. First, turn off the fan so you can work on it safely.
Method 1:
1. Inspect the Fan
- Examine the blades and fan assembly, making sure all the blades are securely screwed into the blade holder.
- In turn, the blade holder should be securely attached to the fan flywheel. Use a household cleaning solution to wipe the blades if there’s any dust or debris on them.
- Turn on the fan, checking for wobble as it is running. The motion will dry the fan blades. Any wobble can signal an alignment problem with a blade; you can check alignment by measuring the distance of each blade to the ceiling. As you go, rotate the blades to get measurements for each one.
2. Aligning the Blades
If a blade is out of alignment, you can:
- Bend the blade holder up or down. Continue until each one is lined up the same.
- Purchase a blade balancing kit. Place a blade clip on the unbalance blade, about halfway between the edge and the holder.
- Place an adhesive-backed weight on each blade and, if there’s still some wobble, continue sliding the clip slightly from the center each time you run the fan, until it is balanced.
- To attach a balancing weight, peel off the backing and place the piece on the centerline of the blade, in line with the balancing clip. Heavier weights may be needed if the fan still doesn’t run smoothly.
Method 2:
Loosening the Fan’s Mounting
- Loosen the canopy cover screws and slide the canopy down. This exposes the mounting bracket so you can tighten the screws on the bracket itself and the outlet box. If the screws on the down rod are loose, tighten them. Also make sure all the pins are secured.
- Next, secure all fasteners holding the fan blades to the blade holders. Then move to the connections between the blade holders and motor housing. Tighten any screws that need to be secured. If any blade holders are bent, press up or down to straighten them.
- With the fan once again secured to its mounting, measure the tip of each blade to the ceiling, and adjust any that don’t match the vertical position of the rest. Next, check whether the fan still wobbles by turning it on.
- Whatever method you use to balance the fan, test it at low, medium, and high speeds to make sure it’s stable. Ceiling fans are typically most unstable at the highest speed.
Call CMC Electric for Help
Our company provides electrical installation and repair as well as ceiling fan installation in Raleigh, NC, and surrounding areas. If you don’t know how to balance a ceiling fan, or have been unsuccessful in trying, we can help get your fan to run properly. You can therefore benefit from improved cooling, more efficient heating, and reduced energy consumption. To request help by a professional electrician, book an appointment online or call (919) 246-4798.
