Westinghouse Ceiling Fans

Here's a list of the most frequently asked questions.

How do I choose the right ceiling fan?

How does a ceiling fan cool/warm a room?

Which direction should my fan go for the Winter or Summer months?

How much can I expect to save in heating/cooling costs by using a ceiling fan?

What length down rod should I use with my ceiling fan?

What is covered by your fan warranty?

How easy is a ceiling fan to install?

What if I installed a variable speed control and my fan now hums?

What if my fan makes noise while running?

What if my fan does not start?

What if my fan is running slowly?

What if the light on my fan does not work?

What if my remote control fan does not work after I've installed it?

What if my fan is wobbling?

How do I choose the right ceiling fan?
Selecting the right ceiling fan isn't just about choosing the right color or style. There are some key factors you must take into account in order to get the maximum efficiency and enjoyment from your fan. For recommended fan widths and styles for specific rooms sizes and ceiling heights, please see our section on "How to Choose the Right Fan".

How does a ceiling fan cool/warm a room?
Westinghouse ceiling fans can make a room feel 8 degrees cooler by creating a "wind chill effect" – it doesn't actually lower the temperature of the room but instead makes you feel cooler by accelerating the evaporation of perspiration on your skin. Likewise, by running one of our ceiling fans in reverse, you can distribute the hot air that rises to the ceiling and becomes trapped–thus making the temperature of the room feel warmer.

back to top

Which direction should my fan go for the Winter or Summer months?
Clockwise in winter and counterclockwise in summer.

How much can I expect to save in heating/cooling costs by using a ceiling fan?
A Westinghouse ceiling fan can provide year-round savings. In the summer, you can save up to 40% on air conditioning by making the room feel 8 degrees cooler. In the winter, you can save up to 10% on heating costs by reclaiming the hot air trapped near your ceiling by running the fan in reverse. Savings will vary based on local climate conditions and energy rates. To save more money, use an ENERGY STAR^™ Ceiling Fan that moves up to 15% more air.

What length down rod should I use with my ceiling fan?
For optimum air circulation, it is most efficient to have the fan blades 8' to 9' above the floor. For ceilings that are higher and for more details on how to choose the right down rod length, please see our section on "How to Choose the Right Fan".

back to top

What is covered by your fan warranty?
We are so confident in the quality of our ceiling fans that every fan is backed by a Limited Lifetime, 25 Year Limited or 10 Year Limited motor warranty.

Year One - Westinghouse Lighting Corporation will repair or replace this ceiling fan if it is defective due to faulty materials or workmanship. This warranty does not cover the glass portions of this product, nor does it cover damages caused through abuse, improper installation, surges in electric current, or the acts of third parties.

After Year One - Warranty is limited to the motor. Westinghouse Lighting Corporation will repair or replace the motor if defective due to faulty materials or workmanship. This warranty does not apply to damages caused through abuse, improper installation, surges in electric current, or the acts of third parties.

This warranty does not cover the cost of removing and/or re-installing the fan.

How easy is a ceiling fan to install?
Our easy to follow, step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process of installing a ceiling fan. Installation time varies depending on the number of parts and complexity of the fan. With our patented InstaLoc™ Technology, Westinghouse has created the only ceiling fan that's easy enough for anyone to install. Unlike most ceiling fans that have up to 60 parts, our InstaLoc™ fans come virtually pre-assembled in three major pieces – with only 15 parts. You just connect, twist and lock – then sit back and enjoy the breeze.

What if I installed a variable speed control and my fan now hums?
Most quality ceiling fans, including Westinghouse, operate by a certain type of electrical control system called capacitors. Capacitor electronics, like those found in our ceiling fans create distinct speeds: high, medium, and low. Variable speed controls, or dimmer-type switches create a speed control range from low to high, and are usually operated by solid-state electronics. For optimal performance, our recommendation is not to use a variable speed fan speed control. If a wall control is desired, we recommend to use either a remote control or wall switch with defined speeds (see our "Universal Fan Controls" page for more details). Ask your hardware or lighting showroom staff to be sure.

What if my fan makes noise while running?
New fans sometimes require a break in period. Try running it on high speed continuously for 24 hours. If after this period it continues to make noise, bring it back to the place of purchase to exchange it for a new one or call our customer service department at 1-888-417-6222 for assistance.

What if my fan does not start?
There are a number of reasons why your fan may not start. First, try checking the main and branch circuit fuses or circuit breakers. Check the wire connections in the ceiling outlet box (Caution: Make sure main power is turned off at the circuit breaker or fuse). Make sure the forward/reverse switch is firmly in the up or down position. Your fan will not operate if the switch is in the middle. Make sure the shipping stabilizer tabs have been removed from the motor. If the fan still will not run, please contact our customer service department at 1-888-417-6222 for assistance.

What if my fan is running slowly?
A faulty capacitor may cause a ceiling fan to run slowly or quit running altogether. There are three screws that hold the light kit or switch or housing cap to the bottom of the fan. Remove these screws and take the light kit or housing cap off. Inside the switch housing you will see a small black plastic rectangular box (around an inch and a half in size). This is the capacitor. Write down the color of the wires coming out of the top. On the side of the capacitor, write down all numbers followed by the letters uf (for example: 1.5uf). Call our customer service department at 1-888-417-6222 with this information and we'll replace the part at no charge.

What if the light on my fan does not work?
If the light on your ceiling fan won't work, it may just be a loose wire or a bad bulb–just shut off the power to the fan. Check the blue wire from the fan to make sure it is connected to the hot wire in the house. Check for loose or disconnected wires in the switch housing. Check for loose or disconnected wires in the light kit. Check for faulty light bulbs. If the light still does not work, please call our customer service department at 1-888-417-6222 for assistance.

What if my remote control fan does not work after I've installed it?
If your remote controlled fan doesn't work, first check to make sure there is power going to the unit. Check to make sure the control unit is wired correctly. Make sure both the fan pull chain switch and light kit pull chain switch are in their highest setting. Check to see if the code switches in the control unit and hand-held unit are the same. If the remote still doesn't work, please call our customer service department at 1-888-417-6222 for assistance.

What if my fan is wobbling?
All blades are weighed and grouped by weight. Natural woods vary in density which could cause the fan to wobble even though all blades are weight-matched.

The following procedures should eliminate most of the wobble. Check for wobble after each step.

Check that all blades are screwed firmly into blade holders.
Check that all blade holders are tightened securely to motor.
Make sure that canopy and mounting bracket are tightened securely to ceiling joist.
Most fan wobble problems are caused when blade levels are unequal. Check this level by selecting a point on the ceiling above the tip of one of the blades. Measure this distance as shown in Figure 1. Keeping measure within 3mm, rotate the fan until the next blade is positioned for measurement. Repeat for each blade. If all blade levels are not equal, you can adjust blade levels by the following procedure. To adjust a blade tip down, insert a washer (not supplied) between the blade and blade holder at the screw closest to the motor (Figure 2). To adjust a blade tip up, insert washer (not supplied) between the blade and blade holder at the two screws farthest from the motor (Figure 2).
If blade wobble is still noticeable, interchanging two adjacent (side by side) blades can redistribute the weight and possibly result in smoother operation.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Westinghouse Lighting Corporation, a Westinghouse Electric Corporation licensee.