The 3-gear act as the same performance as original. Keep in mind that you fan needs to support the output current provided by the IFAN04, per Sonoff:ġ-gear (2.5μF) output current is 113mA (120V/60Hz) or 173mA(220V/50Hz) the 2-gear (2.5μF + 3μF) output current is 249mA(120V/60Hz ) or 456mA(220V/50Hz). This device offers 3 fan speeds and control for an integrated light as well. The go-to for this approach is the Sonoff IFAN04. The other option is to install a Wi-Fi switch/controller in the fan. It does give you excellent reliably and response time, though, and the option to add other smart switches or smart blinds later using the same technology. Like their smart switches, the Lutron Fan Control uses their proprietary Clear Connect technology to communicate, so you’ll need a Casetta Wireless Bridge to connect it to HomeKit.or just about any other smart platform you can think of. To be fair if you’re using AC fans you probably don’t have one already, so there’s that. The Lutron device gives you a choice of 4 fan speeds, and you can pair it with their Pico remotes if you really want a remote control. This device acts as a direct smart replacement for your regular fan wall control. There is only ONE HomeKit compatible speed controlled on the market, and that’s the Lutron Fan Speed controller. Keep in mind that a switch will only give you on/off functionality (0% or 100% speed), unless you use a speed controller. There are several HomeKit compatible switches to choose from, such as the Eve Light Switch, so you can select one that works for you. If you’re replacing the the existing wall control for your AC fan (only AC fans can be controlled this way) you can opt for a regular smart switch. Both achieve the same thing: regulating the AC output to the fan motor. When we say ‘smart switch’ in this case it could be either a replacement for an existing in-wall control, or it could be a built-in switch module that is wired into the fan itself. Let’s take a look at each of these options in detail. In many cases turning the power off to the fan simply resets the controller to ‘off’, so even using a manual switch won’t help as the fan will default to off when you turn on the switch. They have a receiver which converts the AC input to DC voltage to control the motor speed, which is handled exclusively by the control receiver. For this reason, it’s a bad (and potentially dangerous) idea to use a smart dimmer switch to control a ceiling fan.ĭC fans are those with remote controls. NOTE: AC Fan controllers use different methods to vary the power to the motor, and motors draw a lot more power than lights - at least on start-up. Option 3 will work if your AC fans have remotes. These ones use a rotating knob control to vary the power to the motor, thus changing the speed. There are two types, AC and DC control.ĪC fans are your old-school types, with either a regular speed control knob on the wall, or a pull cord to turn them on and off. Now, it’s important to note with options 2 and 3 that it depends on how your fans are powered. ![]() ![]() Obviously if you don’t have ceiling fans yet, then Options 1 is probably the way to go, although you may find it cheaper and not much more complicated to buy simple AC powered fans and go with Option 2. Replace the fans with ones that support HomeKit Getting control of your ceiling fans in HomeKit can be achieved in three main ways. ![]() What Options are there for HomeKit Fan control? There are a few ways of approaching this problem, each with pros and cons depending on your level of technical comfort and budget. ![]() Unfortunately, the options on the market for fan controllers, or indeed fans themselves, that support HomeKit natively are a bit limited. For fans of Apple’s HomeKit platform, it’s natural to want to be able to control as many appliances as possible through Siri and automation rules, and ceiling fans are a natural fit. Ĭeiling fans remain a popular way to keep cool, largely because they are so cheap to operate, but they also assist in both heating and cooling efficiency by circulating the air in the room. When you buy through links in this article, I may earn an affiliate commission.
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