How to Run Ceiling Fans Slower to Save Electricity

For ceiling fans that are in constant use, especially multiple fans in a series, adjusting the fans to their slowest speed setting can minimize the amount of electrical power the fans use. Even further energy savings are possible with the simple installation of a dimmer switch to the fan circuit, allowing for speed settings lower than the manufacturer's speed control switch offers. A dimmer switch utilizes an internal rheostat that controls the electrical voltage flowing to the circuit and adding a standard dimmer to the as a fan control is an easy procedure to complete.

Screwdriver
Single-pole dimmer switch
Wire nuts (optional)
Wire stripper

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the electrical power off to the ceiling fan circuit.
- 2
  Remove the existing wall cover plate and light switch, and extract the wires from the wall box and separate them. There will be a black wire, a white wire and a bare copper wire.
- 3
  Position the new dimmer switch beside the wall box and connect the circuit wires as follows: attach the white wire from the wall box to the white wire using a wire nut or silver screw pole on the dimmer switch, and then connect the black wire from the wall box to the black wire using a wire nut or brass screw pole on the dimmer switch. Finally, attach the bare copper ground wire from the wall box to the green wire using a wire nut or screw pole on the switch and tighten all the connections with a screwdriver.
- 4
  Push the connected circuit wires and dimmer switch body into the wall box and secure with the two flange bolts provided.
- 5
  Install the new cover plate over the dimmer switch and secure with the two small screws provided. For knob-type dimmer switches, attach the dial knob by sliding it onto the center control stem.
- 6
  Turn the power to the ceiling fan circuit on at the main electrical panel.

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