Can You Put a Dimmer Switch on a Ceiling Fan? Read On To Find Out!

I recently did an article on whether you could use a dimmer switch on any light fixture, and seeing the response on that, I was prompted to do a similar article titled; Can you put a dimmer switch on a ceiling fan?

Before we delve deeper into the question, here’s a big shout out to James, who helped me understand some of the nitty gritties of electrical circuits. Having cleared courtesies out of our way, let’s hit the nail on its head.

It is not advisable to put a dimmer switch on a ceiling fan as it can result in motor damage and, in some cases, plausible fire. 

To understand why it is not advisable to use dimmer switches on a ceiling fan, we will first need to understand how dimmer switches and fan regulators work.

Discover How Dimmer Switches and Fan Regulators Work

Dimmers essentially work by changing the voltage flow to a specific electric device. Therefore, when you lower the intensity of your lights using these switches, it lowers the voltage supply to the lights. As a result, their intensity reduces. 

On the other hand, fan regulators work by playing with current or Amperage. When you set your fan regulator to high, more current gets passed to the fan motor, and hence the blades speed up and go faster.

Now let’s take a look at how a fan works.

How Does a Fan Work?

A fan motor requires a high amount of current to start. The blades will not move at the expected speed if the voltage is not high enough. 

When a fan regulator controls a fan, the initially high current gets passed through, and after some time, it settles to its expected level.

If a fan is controlled by a dimmer switch, it needs high voltage for it to work. If the voltage supply is low, the motor might not even start.

Now let’s take a look at the common problems you may face if you persist in using a dimmer switch.

Common Problems Faced When Using a Standard Dimmer Switch with Ceiling Fans

There are 2 main problems that you could face if you try to use a standard dimmer switch with your ceiling fans.

Risk of Damage and Plausible Fire

When you use a dimmer switch with ceiling fans, you run the risk of overloading the entire power circuit with high voltage, as explained above. 

This, in turn, will result in overheating the motor, damaging it in the long run. In severe cases, this could also result in a fire.

Humming Noise

Another problem you could run into is the humming noise that your fan would make if you try to set the dimmer switch to Low to prevent damage to the motor. In this case, the voltage will not be large enough to move the blades at the required speed, and hence a groaning ceiling fan humming noise comes. Now would you want such a noise on a bright summer afternoon?

So does that mean you can’t use a dimmer switch on a ceiling fan? Yes! It is best if you don’t put a dimmer switch on a ceiling fan. However, you could use a fan controller and light dimmer switches.

Fan and Light Dimmer Switches

You can also use a dimmer switch with fan control if you have a ceiling fan with lights.

I recommend these fan and light dimmer switches – 

1. The Lutron Ceiling Fan Control and Light Dimmer Switch

• Works in single-pole applications
• Works with dimmable LEDs and CFLs
• Fan control works up to 1.5A fans
• It’s not a smart device; therefore, it will not work with smart home ecosystems.

2. TREATLIFE Smart Ceiling Fan Control and Dimmer Light Switch

• Smart dimmer switch, compatible with all the major ecosystems like SmartThings, Google Assistant, Alexa, etc.
• Works in single-pole applications
• Hands-free voice control
• You can set your light schedules
• It can be controlled by an app or remote
• Requires Neutral Wire

I will also do a detailed article on the best fan and light dimmer switches soon.

How Do Ceiling Fan Light Dual Dimmer Switches Work?

Your existing fan/light combo needs to be connected to the fan and light dimmer switches to work. This is required so that the various wires for light and fan can go into different points in the 2-in-1 dimmer switch.

If the fan/light combo fixture is currently operated by only one switch, then a bit of rewiring will need to be done.
I would highly recommend that you don’t take it as a DIY project but call a licensed electrician to install a ceiling fan dimmer switch with dual fan and light control.

Final Words

Standard dimmer switches are meant only for light fixtures, and using them on a ceiling fan is not advised.

If you have a ceiling fan with lights, I recommend dual dimmer switches for the ceiling fan light. Here is the installation guide for advanced DIY enthusiasts. However, I would still recommend going for an expert if you are not 100% confident.

I hope I was able to answer whether you can put a dimmer switch on a ceiling fan or not. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section, and I will be more than happy to answer them.