A few days back, one of my clients came to me and ask about how to make a ceiling fan smart?
I really found the query interesting because I’ve mostly asked my clients to buy a smart ceiling fan, but this was the first time, I’ve to propose a feasible solution in which I’ve to make a dumb ceiling fan smart.
The idea made me crazy and I started researching for the optimum result.
I tried a couple of methods, some gave satisfactory results while others failed.
Today I’ll not hide anything, but will share steps by step method to help you achieve the result.
Why A Smart Ceiling Fan?
There are numerous reasons why you need a smart ceiling fan.
However, it will be difficult to list all the reasons here. I’ll
- Exploit the timer concept
- Use a voice assistant such as Google Home or Alexa to control the ceiling fan
- You want to get a customized solution. For example, you want your ceiling fan to start running automatically when the room temperature reaches a certain temperature.
I hope you’ll love to go for smart ceiling fans until and unless you need to spend tons of money.
If you don’t agree with my statement, then you are invited in advance to share your view in the comment section.
I’ll try my best to help you get the optimum result with a minimum spent. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Converting an Old Ceiling Fan
Frankly speaking, I’ve never felt like changing my ceiling fan into a smart monster until my client asked me for help.
I implemented the learning from my research on one of my ceiling fan to see the result.
It would be an injustice to the solution if I would have not tried at least a couple of the methods.
In this post, I’ll not be discussing the best solution to save your time as well as money.
Needless to say, you’ll need to buy some smart devices for this project.
Logitech Harmony Hub
You’ll need a Logitech Harmony Hub, but before buying this product have a look at this list.
I did the mistake of buying the Hub without checking the compatibility of my old ceiling fan with this device.
Well, I don’t want you to repeat the mistake.
If your fan is compatible with the Logitech Harmony Hub, then nothing better than that.
Simply connect with it and you’re done. Unfortunately, I had to look for some other options.
After doing some research, I came to know about Bond. Well, don’t confuse with James Bond.
This Bond belongs to an entirely different domain. Still, confused?
What is BOND in Smart Home World?
In simple words, it is a smart hub that allowed me to control my ceiling fans and fireplaces from my smartphone.
If you’re a smart home enthusiast, then you can very well guess that I’ve to look for an alternative to Logitech Harmony Hub because my fan wasn’t compatible with the previous one, but by no means, I can skip a smart hub.
I would like to put in front of you some of the features of BOND that grabbed my eyeballs. I hope it may entice you to have one.
- It gives you the feasibility to control up to six different ceiling fans with a single device.
- It integrates well with the well-known voice assistant on the market such as Alexa and Google Home.
- Unlike Logitech Harmony Hub, the Bond doesn’t have any particular compatibility chart. In fact, it is designed to learn and control your ceiling fan’s RF frequency.
But the Smart Home World isn’t an ideal world.
There are lots of if’s and but’s.
Since the smart device ecosystem is still in a developing phase, so you may have to face some problems, especially with compatibility.
The Bond will only work if your ceiling fan has a remote because it exploits the concept of RF frequency.
Furthermore, Bond will NOT work with the ceiling fan that is only cord operated.
Stay patient, if there is a problem, then there is definitely a solution.
What to do if my ceiling fan doesn’t have a remote?
The simplest solution is to install a connector, but it will need some electric work.
I highly recommend the RF connector by Hunter.
It can be easily wired in without much effort.
If you’ve got hands-on experience, then you can also do it on your own without any professional assistant.
It uses a Bluetooth receiver that you can wire directly in almost all the ceiling fans with pull chains.
You can control it with a Hunter SimpleConnect App.
There is a Bluetooth controller that plugs into an electric outlet and
Should I Buy A Smart Ceiling Fan?
If you’re NOT on a shoestring budget, then you can definitely go for a smart ceiling fan.
Nevertheless, by doing so you may not learn the smart home technology.
Right now, this field is emerging and the technology is changing at a rapid pace.
You can’t always buy the newest technology available on the market rather you’ll go for upgrading to the latest technology, right?
I always advise my clients to gain some knowledge about smart device technology, and also to have some hands-on experience.
It will definitely reap value in the long run.
If you aren’t using any smart home hub, then I’ll recommend you to try Wink Hub or Samsung SmartThings.
Both are good.
I not only recommend this brand but also use it in my home.
These SimpleConnect fans work very well with and have a broad compatibility range.
Don’t get worried about the price?
It’s highly affordable.
The good news is that they are compatible with Alexa and if you’re not comfortable using the SimpleConnect App, then you can give theWhich is the Best Smart Ceiling Fan?
If you’re looking for the high-end ceiling fan with sophisticated and innovative features, then my bet will on Haiku Home L-Series of smart ceiling fans.
I bluntly didn’t say this :).
There is a whole lot of analysis and research behind this.
The best thing about these fans is that it is a newbie-friendly product, and anyone can install it without any professional help.
If you’re already using Alexa, then you don’t need anything else for this fan.
Haiku Home L Series comes with a Wi-Fi module.
This fan has an elegant design and it has zero vibration or wobble while it is spinning.
In my career as a Smart Home Consultant, I haven’t seen a quieter fan than Haiku Home L Series.
Like other smart ceiling fans, it also gets louder at the top speed because of the impulse it creates against the air.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so I can’t say you to buy this fan because it’s very beautiful.
Well, I love the integrated lighting which you can be made brighter or dimmer depending upon the need.
There aren’t only HIGH/LOW level in brightness rather there are a
It can fit well with the higher as well as a
Wait! we aren’t done yet…Keep reading.
You will get two light covers with this fan; a smoky one for the fading light and a regular white one.
I’ve saved the coolest feature of this fan for the last.
This fan comes with a “Whoosh” mode.
When you set the Haiku Home L Series in this mode, you’ll feel like you’re enjoying a summer breeze rather than a flow of constant air on you because it changes its pace very often.Folk! I can’t convince you any more to buy this fan:)
Conclusion
There will always be tons of options.
It’s good to dream for the best, but at the same time, it’s worst to spend tons of dollars on the high-end product if you don’t need it.
On the personal front, I’m using a smart ceiling fan because it is my need.
My voice assistant Alexa can easily control the ceiling.
It prevents me to yell at my kids or husband either.
Also read, best smart home gifts
