Ceiling Fan Help

[Gimesalot]

My DH and I just bought our first house and after months of DIY and remodeling, we are almost ready to move into our house!  However, yesterday I noticed an issue.  The ceiling fan in the master bedroom is not working.  This is essential for us since we use it at night in order to turn the A/C on a higher temp and still be comfy.

So here is what I know so far:
The wiring is bran spankin' new and up to the 2014 code
The motor comes on and the vibration drops for the two lower settings
Blades do not turn easily, in either direction, when the fan is off
I can probably get a newer ceiling fan for about $50
Fan is probably about 5 years old and has most likely been used incorrectly

From what I have gathered on the internet, it seams to be a bearing problem.  All the web sites say that it is too difficult to change the bearings and I should get a new fan. 

So I need some advice... Can I do this myself?  Is it worth doing?  Please keep in mind that I don't know the brand or model of the fan, and I am not sure how I could find that out.

Thanks in advance y'all!

[Frankies Girl]

Replacing an existing fan is really easy. As long as the wiring and blocking is there, you just need to turn off the power to that area at the panel, and remove the bad fan and then put up the new - a few screws, wire twisting and slight awkwardness while lifting/holding the fans in place.

I bought a circuit tester to make sure the wires weren't hot, but I never had done anything like this before, and I ended up doing two fans it was so easy. Check instructions included with the fan, or check the web for how-to vids.

[Greg]

Depending on the height of your ceilings and other considerations, you may want to just replace the fan motor w/blades not the entire assembly.  If you can determine the brand and model of the current fan, you might be able to just replace it with less trouble.  If it's on a downrod, there's likely a plug-together connection at the motor end of the rod that will make this easier.

A $50 fan won't last very long and will be pretty noisy, ceiling fans are one way you get what you pay for.

[Nords]

I can probably get a newer ceiling fan for about $50

EnergyStar DC-motor ceiling fans may cost more up front, but they use less power, they're built better, and they seem to run quieter.

As for a $50 fan:  nothing like trying to get to sleep while you're hearing a helicopter heterodyning over your head...

[Gimesalot]

Okay it sounds like I need to buy a new fan.

Just so you know, the $50 fans are from our local Habitat for Humanity.  They regularly sell at HD for around $150 to $200, so I think I am getting a good quality product despite the large discount.

Gotta love the non-mustachians that change fans just because they are "out of style" or "no longer match the decor"

[Thegoblinchief]

What brand of fan is it?

Keep in mind most big box brand fans are essentially non-reparable, whereas name brand (Emerson is the best in the business right now) will not only last longer, they're not landfill bait when something does break.

I sell fans for a living.

[Gimesalot]

What brand of fan is it?

Keep in mind most big box brand fans are essentially non-reparable, whereas name brand (Emerson is the best in the business right now) will not only last longer, they're not landfill bait when something does break.

I sell fans for a living.

The selection at the Habitat for Humanity is hit or miss.  Could you recommend some other brands to look for? 

Thanks

[Thegoblinchief]

Older Casablanca fans are good. Monte Carlo is largely good. Some Hunter fans are good, others are crap.

The main things to avoid are the house brands of the box stores. Hampton Bay, Patriot, and whatever Lowe's calls theirs these days.

[ProfWinkie]

I have found that fans with better motors (read more expensive) mean much quieter operation (less motor hum). Here is a place I would spend a bit more for quality and length of service.

[AlanStache]

Yes replacing should be simple.  Replacing also gives you options to add lights and a remote.  The remote is just wired in-between the wires from the ceiling and the fan wires - simple.  Yes also found that more expensive ones use less power.

Is great how we are all just like "go buy a new one" :-p