Alexa fan control
Lutron Caseta switches have an optional wireless remote that works with the wired switch.
ALEXA FAN CONTROL INSTALL
And if you rent rather than own your home, you should make sure you’re allowed to install the switch. If you’re uncomfortable working with your home’s wiring, consider hiring an electrician. So, you’ll want to doublecheck that you have both the necessary space and wiring. Typically, the smart version is larger, and some require a neutral wire. You have to replace your current switch with the smart switch. Smart fan switches work a lot like smart light switches. Often, they need a hub to integrate into your smarthome system, that includes some Wi-Fi switches, like Lutron’s, so that adds to the cost, too, if you don’t already have the hub. They typically range between $45 and $60. Smart fan switches come in Wi-Fi (Lutron Caseta), ZigBee (GE), and Z-Wave (also GE) models. Instead, you can replace your current dumb fan switch with a smart fan switch. If you control your fans with a dedicated wall switch (often found next to a light switch), you could bypass buying a new fan or converting an existing one, altogether. Replace Your Fan’s Wall Switch with a Smart One Lutron You’ll want to look at where the wiring from your fan connects to the wiring from your home. But you should take your fan apart first and doublecheck that you have plenty of room in the motor housing for an extra device. If your fan doesn’t include an IR remote, you might still be able to add a smart module. Typically, they’re the same shape and size, but with an extra antenna. To add a smart module to your existing fan with IR, you take the fan apart, remove the IR module, and then replace it with the smart module. But at $50 to $70, adding the radios to your existing fan is far less expensive than buying an entirely new fan. The ZigBee Wink controller still doesn’t allow your voice assistant to control the fan speeds, for instance. You’ll run into the same positives and negatives you would with a genuine Wi-Fi or Zigbee fan. If your fan already has an IR module, you could replace it with an adapter with Wi-Fi or Zigbee radios. If you don’t want to buy all new fans, it might be possible to convert those you already have. Turn Your Current “Dumb” Fan Into a Smart Fan A smart fan module and a standard IR fan module look nearly identical. The fan still works but as a standard dumb fan. It also introduces an additional point of failure-our smart fan’s ZigBee radio failed after four months, and neither the manufacturer nor the store wanted to fix it. The biggest drawback-besides having to install the fans-is the expense. You wire in an IR module that also includes either Wi-Fi or ZigBee radios as you install the fan. If you’ve installed a fan with an IR remote before, installing a smart fan follows the same process. Unfortunately, while they do have Alexa and Google Assistant integration, that doesn’t usually include voice control of the fan-the voice assistants can only turn the integrated light on and off. If you have multiple ZigBee smart home devices, they’ll form a mesh network with the ZigBee fan for better range. The most prevalent offerings, from Gardiner and Hampton Bay, are designed specifically for Wink hubs. ZigBee fans, however, do require a smart hub. And, of course, you run the risk of interference if you have too many Wi-Fi devices on your network. Wi-Fi fans usually offer Alexa and Google Assistant integration, with voice control of both the integrated lights and the fan. You’ll need to install a dedicated app on your smartphone or tablet.
ALEXA FAN CONTROL PLUS
You still typically get a standard Infrared (IR) remote control, plus access through a smartphone or tablet app. If you choose a Wi-Fi fan, like those from Hunter or Haiku, you won’t need a hub. Smart fans typically come in either a Wi-Fi or Zigbee format. If you want a fan that integrates easily into your existing smarthome system, installing a new smart fan is the easiest option. The Expensive Option: Buy a New Smart Fan Hunter Fans