A ceiling fan is a great way to stay cool at home, with or without an air conditioner. By helping to push cold air down from the ceiling to the floor, a fan can make any room feel significantly more comfortable, even on the hottest days.
Thanks to modern smart home technology, it’s easy to bring automation to the age-old tool.
Here are seven cool ways to automate your home ceiling fan.
1. Hunter Apache Ceiling Fan
Hunter Apache Ceiling Fan Hunter Apache Ceiling Fan Buy Now On Amazon
If you’re looking to add a fan to a room or completely replace an old unit, Hunter’s Apache Ceiling Fan is a great way to automate home cooling. The 54-inch fan features an integrated light kit with dimmable LED bulbs. The fan motor offers four different speeds and is also reversible to provide a more comfortable and warmer room in the winter months.
While a regular remote is included, the fan’s built-in Wi-Fi opens up automation possibilities. Along with a smartphone app, you can control and automate the fan with three major smart home platforms—Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. That means you can control the cooling with a simple voice command or even add the fan as part of a larger smart home setup.
To better fit your home decor, there are two different color schemes of the fan to select from.
2. Ankee Smart Ceiling
Ankee Smart Ceiling Fan Ankee Smart Ceiling Fan Buy Now On Amazon $ 222.00
Another great choice for cooling your home is the Ankee Smart Ceiling Fan.
You can control the 52-inch fan and its LED light with a companion smartphone app, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. All three options will also allow you to automate when the fans turn on or off. As a backup, Ankee includes a regular remote for the fan too.
3. DYMCO Smart WiFi Fan Light Switch
DYMCO Smart WiFi Fan Light Switch DYMCO Smart WiFi Fan Light Switch Buy Now On Amazon $ 29.98
Thankfully, there’s no need to buy a new fan to use automation technology. The DYMCO Smart WiFi Fan Light Switch takes the place of a regular light switch. Install time is around 30 minutes and should be simple for even the novice DIY homeowner.
The touch control switch features a blue LED indicator so you can always find it, even in the dark. For voice control, the switch is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant so you can control the fan and even the speed. Automation, including the ability to set schedules and control the fan away from home, is available through those two platforms or the DMYCO smartphone app.
4. Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Fan Speed Control
Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Fan Speed Control Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Fan Speed Control Buy Now On Amazon $ 48.01
If you’re ready to jump into smart home technology head first, Lutron’s Caseta line of switches are definitely worth considering. The Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Fan Speed Control can help you make the pull chain a thing of the past.
Replacing an existing fan switch, it offers four different fan speeds along with on/off control. The LEDs on the side of the switch display the current fan speed. There are four different colors of the switch to match any home.
If you add in the additional Lutron Smart Bridge, you can control the fan with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri. The companion smartphone app will allow you to create schedules and control the fan from any location. With the bridge, you can add other power switches to your set up too.
5. Hunter SimpleConnect
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Instead of needing to install a new switch, the Hunter SimpleConnect works by installing a small controller inside an existing fan. You’ll also need to plug in a Bluetooth controller to an electrical outlet within 80 feet of the fan.
Compatible with all major brands of fans with pull chains, you can program the fan and its light kit to a specific schedule using the smartphone app. A remote control is also included. There are three different fan speeds to select from. Instead of having to worry about waking up to a cold house, there is an in-app sleep timer. And while you’re gone on vacation, a special feature allows the ceiling fan light to turn on randomly during the day to make it appear like someone is home.
6. Belkin WeMo Light Switch
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If you usually keep a fan on a single speed and just want to automate turning it on and off, the Belkin WeMo Light Switch is a nice choice. You’ll need to replace your current fan switch though. Once that is complete, you can set schedules and timers using the Belkin smartphone app. Voice control and automation are also available through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant without needing a hub.
Apple HomeKit users can add the optional WeMo Hub for Siri control. The switch also works in tandem with the Nest Home Thermostat. That will allow the fan to automatically turn off when the thermostat detects an empty house. Multiple switches can also be paired together and controlled at the same time. That can come in handy for a larger home with a number of different fans.
7. Ai-Sync AiS Smart Ceiling Fan Remote
Ai-Sync AiS Smart Ceiling Fan Remote Ai-Sync AiS Smart Ceiling Fan Remote Buy Now On Amazon $ 69.99
The Ai-Sync AiS Smart Ceiling Fan Remote brings Wi-Fi to any fan. After installing a receiver inside the fan, you can turn it on or off, change speeds, and even control the light kit from anywhere using the smartphone app. Ai-Sync also includes a regular remote control.
While at home, you can control the fan’s function with a voice command to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Thanks to IFTTT compatibility, the controller can interact with services like Nest, Ecobee, and Ring too.
Stay Cool With a Home Ceiling Fan
No matter what type of ceiling fan you have, one of these options can easily make it part of a larger smart home automation system. And it will still help you keep cool.
Another great way to help keep your home cool is with an air conditioner. Make sure to check out these air conditioner blunders to avoid on hot summer days first though.
Read the full article: 7 Simple Ways to Automate Your Ceiling Fan
