Stacey on IoT | Internet of Things news and analysis
May 17, 2023 by Kevin C. Tofel 4 Comments Ceiling Fan With Led Lamp
On a recent Internet of Things Podcast, we took a voicemail from Keith on our podcast hotline. Keith has several ceiling fans that have “dumb” remotes, meaning they’re manual remotes for power and speed. He wants to know if he can add some smarts to those old fans for automations and routines. The general answer is yes, but it does depend on the existing fan remote technology. And it will require the purchase of some new hardware.
Fans with wireless remotes typically use one of two radio technologies: infrared or some other radio frequencies (RF). My ceiling fan, for example, uses regular RF for remote control. Others use beams of infrared light for the wireless data to move from the remote to the fan. Knowing this can help because there are devices that can replicate either type of wireless data stream although they typically use one radio technology or the other.
For example, the $69.99 SwitchBot Hub 2 that I recently reviewed has an infrared emitter built-in, alongside its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios. If my fan remote supported infrared, I could use the Hub 2 to act as a ceiling fan remote. Unfortunately, since my fan remote uses a more standard RF solution, I can’t use the Hub 2 in that manner. However, I did run through the in-app process to set up an infrared remote with the SwitchBot Hub 2. You can choose the brand of your remote or teach the hub to act as a remote.
Stacey used the Homey Bridge several weeks ago and it’s another option to consider to add smarts to a ceiling fan. Like the SwitchBot the Homey 2 supports infrared remote replication. And like the SwitchBot, it’s not too expensive, coming in at $69 for a multi-radio smart home hub. It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-Wave in addition to infrared.
Because those two options work with infrared signals, the range is a little limited. Think line of sight range although some IR blasters do send out a wide beam signal. Traditional RF solutions offer more range and that’s what you’ll find in the $99 Bond Bridge.
In fact, the Bond Bridge is purpose-built to add smarts to ceiling fans, shades, and fireplaces with standard RF remotes. It’s a good option for appliances that don’t use infrared controls. And you get the benefit of that broader range: Bond says one Bridge can provide up to 2,500 square feet of coverage for up to 30 devices. We haven’t used the Bond Bridge but have heard very positive things from those who have.
Depending on your fan remote radio protocol then, there are options available to add smarts to your ceiling fans. The right bridge or hub allows app control of the fan and even automations. So you could have the fan turn on if another connected device or sensor detects a rising indoor temperature for example.
To hear Keith’s question in full, as well as our discussion on the topic, tune in to the Internet of Things Podcast below:
Filed Under: Featured, How-To Tagged With: Bond, ceiling fans, Homey, infrared, RF, smart home, SwitchBot
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Hi Kevin Thanks for the Shout out this week. I am one of the founders of the Bond and would like to connect with you to discuss the product and send you a sample. We have also brought to market a “PRO” version that has wider range, (3500 sq feet) and handles 50 devices. I would be glad to connect on a call. Thx Perry Fox EVP- Bond(Olibra)
ps: Hi Stacey, Hope you are well, We have met previously at a couple of events.
The Pro model doesn’t have IR, right? I know most fans don’t use it, but some do.
Is there a list of ceiling fans that *natively* support Google or Alexa? Other than the uber-expensive Bigass Fans, a smart ceiling light/fan is very hard to find.
Getting easier to find these days, particularly for Alexa integration. Just go to Amazon and search for “smart ceiling fan with Alexa” and you’ll find several dozen choices. Among the bigger brands:
1) If you’re in North America, there’s a line of Home Decorator fans at Home Depot that have the Bond controller built in.
2) also exclusive to Home Depot, there is a line of Hampton Bay fans that use Home Depot’s own “hubspace” app, and work with echo or Google assistant
2) Hunter Fans have the Symphony line which works with Alexa and HomeKit
3) Westinghouse Lighting offers multiple models in different sizes
4) Tuya makes a bladeless “low profile” fan that looks something like a round exhaust fan and is then re-branded and sold by more than a dozen different Chinese brands. The case finishing may be slightly different and features may be a little different but they will all work with the Tuya or Smart Life app.
5) Vortice, an Italian company, makes a line of ventilation fans, which work with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google assistant and are intended as part of an HVAC system to extract heat or add cool.
6) Modern Forms has about 15 different models that can work with Alexa or Google assistant (but not HomeKit) with an integrated lumenaire instead of replaceable lightbulbs. These are all very sleek, modern styles. More expensive than hunter, or Westinghouse, but considerably less than Big Ass Fans.
So I think you should be able to find quite a wide range of candidates these days, at least in North America. There are some available in Europe and Asia, but not as many choices.
I myself have had a hunter symphony fan that I got on sale about two years ago and it has worked very well at our house with both Alexa and HomeKit.
We should also note that there may be additional candidates once matter becomes widely deployed, but I don’t expect to see that for fans for about a year and I don’t really see any reason to wait if your primary goal is voice control. There are a lot of options right now.
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