My son bought a house with a high ceiling and a ceiling fan on it. No lights…just a 3 speed fan. There is a wall switch that controls on/off. The fan itself has the chain to adjust the fan speed but is nearly impossible to reach.
Is it possible to simply put a 3 speed fan switch on the wall where the on/off switch is, or is it more complicated than that.
Thanks
B.J.
The easiest solution to this problem is to buy a ceiling fan that has a remote. The remote control controls both the light and the speed and direction of the fan. That way no additional wiring is needed.
We did these fans in our house and it really solved the wiring problem easily.
By the way I highly recommend getting fans with a direct current motor. They are much quieter and you don’t get that cycling home of an AC motor.
Thanks for your answer. The fan is very, very hard to get at…that’s why I was inquiring about a wall switch.
Is it possible to get a remote, after the fact, for an existing fan?
Thanks for your answer. The fan is very, very hard to get at…that’s why I was inquiring about a wall switch.
Is it possible to get a remote, after the fact, for an existing fan?
Depending on brand and model you might be able to get a remote kit. I’ve seen some after market remotes but we’ve suffered through the crap of trying to make them work.
Grouse is spot on though for a fan with remote. All of our new construction I spec a 14-3 to every light opening that is tan rated. However, that’s not the case in most retros.
If you get a new fan, buy quality. Last thing you want is a POS failing on you
Thanks for your answer. The fan is very, very hard to get at…that’s why I was inquiring about a wall switch.
Is it possible to get a remote, after the fact, for an existing fan?
In order to add a remote, you will have to gain access up at the fan to the wiring to add in the receiver, made specifically for that brand of fan in order to fit inside the housing.
Swap out the wall switch for a rotary fan wall switch and your done.
Extend the chain. Least money spent and less work involved! 
All of our new construction I spec a 14-3 to every light opening that is tan rated. However, that’s not the case in most retros.
If you get a new fan, buy quality. Last thing you want is a POS failing on you
You are a wise man. On the last 2 new-home builds I was involved in, when the fan-rated boxes were specified, so was a “3rd wire” run from the ceiling box to the wall switch (homes piped with EMT, not Romex). I was doing the actual install of the fans, but wanted the extra leads for separate fan & light switches.
HRG
You can just add a wall speed switch if there is not a light on the existing fan, only a single switch (not 2 way or 3 way), and the current wall switch only controls the fan. Replace the ceiling fan with a remote one if the wall switch controls the fan and light. There are options if it is a 2 way or 3 way switch with fan only.
Extend the chain. Least money spent and less work involved!
Best answer yet.
Extend the chain. Least money spent and less work involved!
Best answer yet.
Just remember to take the hooks off,,,,
HRG
fish-pull.jpg
Thanks for all the suggestions. The fan has no lights, a single switch and switch only controls fan….sounds like a rotary/adjustable wall switch might be the answer for me.
A lot of the previous answers would work if I could get at the fan…just can’t reach it. A ladder on any wall doesn’t get me close enough. I wonder how they got it up….maybe a lift?
I also wonder if there is a remote somewhere that we haven’t found. Previous owners had to have a way to control speed etc….but they are not available.
Thanks again.
B.J.
Stepladder? Just how high off the floor is the fan?
HRG
14-15′ or however high a 2 story high ceiling is. It’s an open room…there is an up stairs loft etc. on one side(second floor) and all open on the other side where the ceiling fan is.
B.J.
Rent some scaffolding.
14-15′ or however high a 2 story high ceiling is. It’s an open room…there is an up stairs loft etc. on one side(second floor) and all open on the other side where the ceiling fan is.
B.J.
Sounds exactly like my daughters townhouse. You can just see a tip of a blade in the picture below. Thankfully, the previous owner installed a fan with a remote control for the speed.
HRG
e74595794bd00072a3edb27a7229e05cl-m1153716452s-w1280_h720_q95.jpg
I’m thinking there had to be a remote for this also….just haven’t been able to find it.
B.J.
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