As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Want to know five ‘cool’ ways how to make a dumb ceiling fan smart? Do you want to add smart control to a ceiling fan so that it even works with Alexa or Google Assistant?
You’ve come to the right place.
Here are five ways that you can make a dumb ceiling fan smart:
- Way #1: Convert Your Old Fan with a Controller
- Way #2: Use a Hub and App
- Way #3: Use a Smart Wall Switch
- Way #4: Install an Actual Smart Ceiling fan
- Way #5: Install a Receiver [If No Existing Remote]
Continuing with my barrage of summertime posts that have included reviewing everything from robot lawnmowers to smart ACs to Alexa summertime skills, in this post, I will give you the scoop on four ways you can automate your ceiling fan.
My hope? By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of your options (and be a “fan” of this blog).
Why a Smart Ceiling Fan?
Now, why on earth would you even bother making your ceiling fan smart?
The answer: because you are L-A-Z-Y. Don’t worry. It’s all good. I’m lazy too. 😲?
But seriously, it just adds convenience for the same reasons that smart lights do. Here are four reasons I can think of off the top of my head:
If you are turning your lights on and off using Alexa, it seems archaic to use that cruddy remote with your ceiling fan or [gasp] a wall switch.
Home Ceiling Fan Market on Par With Smart Home Growth
According to this report from ResearchAndMarket.com, the global ceiling fan market is expect to grow at an annual CAGR of 4.3% from 10 billion to 12.9 billion in 2027. The report states that the demand for ceiling fans has been rapidly increasing due to rising income levels of the consumers and increasing availability of electricity.
Couple this with Statistca’s report that household penetration of smart devices will jump from 32.4% in 2020 to 52.4% by 2024, and that equals a whole lot of ceiling fans being automated.
Next, we’ll look at all four ways you can make your dumb ceiling fan smart.
Way #1: Use an RF Converter [Bond, Not James Bond]
Bond Converter
The most cost-effective way to make a dumb ceiling fan smart is this RF converter hub from the leading fan controller company Bond.
While Bond requires an RF signal to work, most modern ceiling fans rely on an RF signal to operate.
If your fan came with a remote, it would work with Bond. The whole point of Bond is to make your dumb ceiling fan smart.
Why It’s Cool
Designed for this exact purpose and compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, Bond lets you automate your dumb ceiling fan or fireplace at a relatively affordable price.
Check out this helpful video review from CNET:
Pros
Cons
Where To Buy It
Check the latest price at Amazon here.Way #2: Use a Hub and App
Since Logitech recently announced it will no longer make Harmony remotes, I decided to take this option off the table. The good news is that there is a product that functions as well the Harmony Hub.
It is the Broadlink RM4 Pro hub and app combo.
The RM4 will pretty much control anything that leverages IR signals, so if your fan came with a remote, you should be good to go.
You can then control the fan using the Harmony remote, Alexa, or smartphone. You can also set up routines that turn the fan on in conjunction with other devices or at a certain time of day. If you pair the Hub with a smart thermostat, you can create a routine to turn the fan on when the room reaches a certain temperature. This is home automation at its best.
Why It’s Cool
The Broadlink RM4 Pro hub and the app will not just control your ceiling fan, but it can also be used to control your entire smart home. You can set up routines to automate the fan using the built-in temperature sensor. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control.
Video Review
Video Credit: BroadLink InternationalPros
Cons
Where To Buy It
Learn more about Broadlink RM4 Pro at Amazon.Way #3: Use a Smart Switch
GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus
GE makes a great smart switch called GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus that is designed for the sole purpose of making your dumb ceiling fan smart.
This quite frankly, is the only way to go if your existing ceiling fan doesn’t have an RF remote already. You could replace the fan outright, sure (we’ll cover this next), BUT a smart switch will let you convert that dumb old not RF fan more cheaply.
The GE switch will also let you control your fan using Alexa-compatible devices.
Why It’s Cool
A smart switch (i.e., a wall switch) will let you convert old-school non-RF fans at a very affordable price.
Video Review
Check out this helpful review from Two Bit GADGETS.
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy It
You can pick one up at Amazon here.Way #4: Toss It and Buy a Real Smart Ceiling Fan
Haiku Smart Ceiling Fan
I realize that if you arrived here looking for ways to make your dumb fan smart, you probably weren’t thinking of replacing your fan entirely. Still, for older fans that do not rely on a remote, your options are pretty limited. Replacing your dumb fan with a smart one offers you all the benefits we described above right out of the box.
If you want the “best of the best” and a super highly rated smart ceiling fan, look no further than the Haiku Home L Series Smart Ceiling Fan from Big Ass Fans [great name, LOL]!. The 52” model pictured here has a beautiful modern design and includes an energy-efficient LED light [also smart]. Both fan and light can be controlled using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, as well as a smartphone app.
Why It’s Cool
With an award-winning design, wobble-free, super quiet, and compatible with Alexa, this top-rated fan comes highly recommended by smart home enthusiasts and interior designers alike.
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy It
Check the latest price at Amazon here.Way #5: Install a Ceiling Fan Receiver Kit
This is a great option (and may even be the best option) for all your DIYers.
If you have an older ceiling fan that didn’t come with a remote and you know how to do electrical work, it is possible to add a receiver to your existing fan.
⚠️ Pro Tip: I’ll go ahead and give my usual disclaimer here that says, please don’t mess with the electricity if you don’t know what you are doing.
However, if you are an electrician, know one, or are comfortable with light DIY electrical work, Hunter makes a receiver called Simple Connect that you can use. The company says that it will work with “any major brand of ceiling fan with pull chains.
Here are some common Alexa commands:
Why It’s Cool
It is an affordable option to make a dumb ceiling fan smart and it will work if your existing fan did not come with a remote or if it doesn’t support RF.
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy It
You can also find this at Amazon.Solutions Summary Table: How to Make a Dumb Ceiling Fan Smart
Here is a quick summary of the recommended solutions in this post.
| Method | Recommended | Image | Assistant Support | Mobile App | Shop Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Converter Hub | BOND |  | Alexa or Google | iOS or Android | Shop Now |
| BroadLink RM4 | BroadLink RM4 Hub |  | Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | iOS or Android | Shop Now |
| Smart Fan | Haiku Smart Ceiling Fan |  | Alexa | iOS or Android | Shop Now |
| Remote Kit | Ceiling Fan Remote Control Kit |  | Alexa or Google | iOS or Android | Shop Now |
Frequently Asked Questions
What If My Ceiling Fan Doesn’t Have a Remote?
See Way #5 above.
Are there other methods for how to make a dumb ceiling fan smart?
Yes, there are also some more technical solutions that most mainstream DIYers want to tackle. This post in the r/smarthome forum on Reddit discusses some of them:
Is Bond Difficult to Set Up?
No. Here’s a manufacturer video that highlights the simplicity of the setup process.
Will Harmony let me control my RF fireplace too?
Yes, most modern RF fireplaces are supported. You can check to see whether your fireplaces is supported by checking Harmony’s device compatibility database.
Can I control other devices with Bond?
No. You are limited to fans and fireplaces.
I’m completely new to smart home devices and technology. Do you have any recommendations on how to get started? How about choosing an Alexa device?
Check out this post I wrote on how to create a smart home ecosystem. If you just want recommendations for the best Alexa devices to buy, check out this post on the best Amazon Echo gifts that work with Alexa.
Conclusion
When it comes to making your dumb ceiling fan smart, you have some pretty ‘cool’ options.
I would say short of getting an actual smart ceiling fan, I think my favorite option is the Bond converter remote. Why?
It is a super inexpensive way to control your fan, and the setup is super easy to boot.
How To Make a Dumb Ceiling Fan Smart: What Do You Think?
So, what do you think about your options for how to make a dumb ceiling fan smart? Did you find this article helpful?
Are you considering any of these products for controlling your ceiling fan? If so, which one and why?
Please let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
Oh, one more thing. Do try to avoid jumping on any furniture around your fan!
Related Posts
If you enjoyed reading this post about how to make a dumb ceiling fan smart, you might also like some of our other posts about Amazon Echo devices and Alexa. Here are a few summerish ones!
- How to Make A Dumb AC Smart
- 5 Best Smart Portable Alexa Air Conditioners
- How To Use Alexa to Monitor Air Quality
- Best Smart Window Air Conditioners
Please Like and Share
By the way, if you got some value from this post, would you do us a huge favor and share it via your favorite social media channel? It just takes a few seconds to use the colorful social media buttons along the top and bottom of this page.
It helps us spread the word about our blog and gives a little boost in Google rankings too.
Thanks!
