Just bought a new construction and each room is ceiling fan pre-wired with a wall switch. It's my first time installing ceiling fans so quite new at it. Installed 3 DC fans and 1 AC fan all of which had remotes and dimmer functionality, and no pull strings. They all work properly but none are controlled by the switch, either the light or fan. Each ceiling fan box had a black, white, copper, and red wire but I never used the red wire per install instructions. I removed a wall switch and found the below wire configuration.

<img src="https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/1500x2000/switch_pic_1_f3504636fde9abf7c76a41f2205c1cf2781d1ab3.jpg" width="1500" height="2000"/>

Am I correct to assume in order to use the switch I have to use the red wire, either to the light or the fan?
If the assumption is correct then below is what I would like to accomplish with the switch.

I would like to have the light be controlled by the wall switch, but since the light's on/off is controlled by the remote is it possible to wire it to the wall switch?

Or would I still need to turn the light on with the remote after turning on the wall switch?

If I do wire the light to the wall switch do I lose the dimmer functionality from the remote?

Spoke with someone who has done some electrical work, and they said it was either the remote or the wall but can't really use both. Seeing if any other opinions or experiences out there would differ.

Thanks,

 

I never used a remote but just wiring to be controlled by the switch you usually connect the black wire to the fan and the red wire to the light kit. Is there a capped black in your switchbox?

 

Yes you use the red wire for switch control.
Fans with remotes usually have separate box that sits up inside the fan canopy. If you want the switch to control the light you need to disconnect the light wire(usually blue) from the remote and connect it to the red wire. Put a wire nut on the wire from the remote.

 

@stickshift...no capped black in the switch box. All the white wires were capped.

So I'm guessing (depending on the specific light/remote wires) there isn't a way to wire to the switch and the remote simultaneously?

 

Are you asking if you can wire the light to be controlled by both the remote and the switch? I would not advise that option. Pick one or the other.

 

@joed...correct I was asking if it's possible to power the light from the switch but still be able to control the dimmer from the remote.

 

Yes, and no. The remote will need to be installed in series with the wall switch. All of the remotes I have installed for fans will turn on the lights when the switch is turned on. Then you can use the remote to dim and control the fan.

 

With the series setup, the remote will NOT work unless you have the switch on. That includes the fan.

 

Thanks @Tolyn/Joed. Seems just like an extra step then with using the switch in a series.