I have 2 completely different ceiling fans in 2 different rooms. They both make a similar 'hum' as soon as they are turned on (almost before they even start moving). I don't believe it's a physical thing, I feel like it's got to be electrical (just my non-scientific hunch), as the noise completely stops even when changing fan speeds.

As you can (hopefully) hear in the audio below (have to put volume way up, not sure why, it's VERY clearly noticeable in person), it's (of course) silent when off, as soon as I turn it on (first you'll hear click of remote) the hum kicks in (I think even before anything starts moving), then you'll hear the few silent pauses after each click (medium and then high). Or maybe that means it clearly is just a motor issue and the motor happens to hum when being powered, and in the second when changing speeds it's not really on so it's quiet?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rcfubybra2...%2027.m4a?dl=0

Any thoughts? Drives me crazy...!

If nobody can hear it I'll try again (I did try a video as well and that was even worse than an audio clip).

Thank you.

 

Two things, the hum is usually associated with a bad motor.

I just replaced (under warranty) two Hunter fans, they were 12 years old that made hum noise, new fans are silent.

Second, check the way the fan sits in the mount, sometimes a hum/running sound can be transmitted to the ceiling. By lifting/tilting/rotating the fan sometimes it can change the pitch and provide some relief!

If it's the motor, the fan needs to be replaced, service part cost will usually exceed the cost of new fan!

 

Thanks. I guess the easiest thing might actually just be to try a new one anyway, as I know this sort of thing likely has no easy fix (if one can even determine the problem).

I forgot to mention that we do have low ceilings so both fans are 'hugger' models. I wonder if being closer to the ceiling helps amplify the noise?

 

Shouldn't make a difference, it's just the frequency transmission path from motor to ceiling that can get amplified!

 

Electric motors with laminations in the stator and/or rotor will hum if the laminations were not tightly bonded during manufacturing. Happens with cheap and expensive motors.

 

Does anyone have a personal recommendation on a new fan? Either a particular brand or specific fan? Needs to be a hugger/flush mount. I'm searching online and too many options (including great reviews on the fan I have, which I hate, so either I got a dud or nobody else cares about the noise).

 

That fan I just replaced after 12 years was a Hunter, it was a little disappointing to see how cheap it was compared to the original fan but like everything else you buy now, it's all about cost not quality.

Now I see they are making smart fans, like I really need a phone to turn a fan on but apparently there is a generation that thinks that is important!

 

Well, since I no longer get up to turn on the lights, I might as well not get up to turn on the fan

 

I agree with Marq, Hunter is probably the most popular brand and is over all good quality. You can find better but you will pay. The other alternative is the HD and Lowes house brands. I believe Harbor Breeze is the Lowes brand and Hampton Bay is HD's. Most likely both are made by Hunter. But you may be hard pressed to get parts or warranty service from the house brands.
Myself, I have all kinds, Hunter and house brands, all work well. Look for the newer ones that have the snap on blades. No more aching arms trying find the hole for the screws. I would also recommend the remote. As Marq, says the phone thing apparently is a thing, but to me too many phone apps. I rather have the independent remote.

 

Thanks so much. I'll look into Hunter (and I did find some on HD website that I liked, don't recall if hampton bay or not)

 

Hi, does that fan have a pull chain to adjust the speed? If so make sure it is on Hi speed.
post a pic of the fan and model #
Geo 🇺🇸

 

This is the fan: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EQ4TRUU

No chain, rather a remote (that it came with) and wall control (which I bough separately, https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017ORULK), each of which can control the light and fan/fan speeds.

 

Hi, does it still hum if you start it on Hi speed?
Geo

 

Yes. If the fan is on, it hums (literally the split second I push any button to turn on the fan, it starts to hum). The split second I push the button again to turn off the fan (even if the blades are still going full speed) the hum stops. The hum even stops when changing speeds as the fan 'clicks over' to a different speed and I guess goes 'off' for a second..