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The current discussion on spiking WAPA bills reminded me of my recent experience and I think others might benefit from what I learned.
Over time ceiling fans tend to work less efficiently, move less air, and use more power. I have come to expect to replace them every 3-5 years, despite the fact that I buy ones with lifetime warranties.
But a little googling and youtubing showed me that what is most often responsible for their loss of efficiency is the failure of a capacitor () in the switch housing. I took off the light kit and unplugged it, and there was a rectangular capacitor with 4 wires. I noted the specifications written on the side of it, headed over to ebay, and in 4 days and for less than $20+postage I repaired my two ailing but relatively new fans, and my electric consumption returned to normal.
Hope this helps some of you. If so, pass it on.
Posted : November 30, 2016 1:20 pm
I stopped using ceiling fans in my house. I notice at least $30 increase when I do vs floor fans. I ordered the vornado whole room fan from amazon for the living room, its amazing. Don't get the retro metal one - it'll just rust but they have several that will really get the job done. In the bedroom I use the small 10 inch black plastic ones that are super powerful for the size.
Posted : November 30, 2016 1:43 pm
I stopped using ceiling fans in my house. I notice at least $30 increase when I do vs floor fans. I ordered the vornado whole room fan from amazon for the living room, its amazing. Don't get the retro metal one - it'll just rust but they have several that will really get the job done. In the bedroom I use the small 10 inch black plastic ones that are super powerful for the size.
I'll assume the ceiling fans are pretty old in your place?
Ceiling fans are certainly more expensive to replace than "floor" fans. I currently use a multitude of floor fans.. I'll have to look into this vornado 😉
Posted : November 30, 2016 4:49 pm
http://ceilingfancapacitors.net/
There are different implementations of the capacitors on different fans.
2-wire capacitors are only used to start the motor so not likely one of those would effect motor power efficiency but if the motor doesn't start....
Posted : December 1, 2016 3:09 am