Can smart light bulbs be used in ceiling fans?


When I was automating my room I thought: Can smart light bulbs be used in ceiling fans? It would be awesome to see my fan changing colors according to my daily routines!, but as the receptacle of the ceiling fan was so tight, my hesitation increased as soon as I popped out the light cover.

Essentially, most smart light bulbs can fit in a ceiling fan for automation purposes. For the installation, it’s imperative that you choose the type of socket and the correct size. If the fan has a light dimmer, do not use it, otherwise, it will reduce the power going into the smart bulb.

But how do I choose which smart light bulb works best for my ceiling fan?

Do I have to go to home depot and ask a representative there?

In this blog post, we will learn quickly how you can choose your smart light bulb without going nuts.

Types of ceiling fans with lights

To help you out with the best information possible, I gathered the most common ceiling fans that use bulbs so you can choose the right one for you.

Standard Ceiling Fan

This is the most common ceiling fan you can find in the market.

It has a regular design that works awesome in most homes and it has a light cover that is secured with two bolts.

For this model, a Hue Philips white smart bulb would to the trick.

But keep in mind that this bulb goes threaded in the socket, which is, by the way, the most common way to secure the light in a fan.

But as life tricks you every time, for example, in my room, I do not have this threaded socket.

The light that goes there is secured with two pins only. I think it’s called a two-pin connection.

So, what I did? I just got a regular thread-socket for replacement.

It was a matter of cutting two cables and soldering the new ones, which in most cases, wouldn’t be a problem.

Now about the clearance of the light cover, I was a little hesitant about it.

I decided to go to the Philips Hue light because of its shape and it worked beautifully.

In case you want to use the same light, make sure you can fit a regular light bulb there first.

Because otherwise, it won’t fit the smart one.

Low profile Ceiling fans

This ceiling fan has the same light configuration in most cases as the standard model.

The big difference between the standard is that is installed directly on the bracket mount making it closer to the ceiling

But as far as the light, they are pretty much the same.

So, for this model, I would choose the same: Philips Hue smart bulb.

But again, before getting the bulb, make sure the light cover has enough clearance to get a regular bulb.

As long it fits, a smart one will fit as well.

Ceiling fan with lights

These ones are the most fun

Why? Because you can see the bulbs coming out of the light cover!

And that means that you can fit nearly any type of smart bulb!

You can get three or four of them depending on the configuration and you will transform your fan into a smart show.

What I would personally do if I had this type of fan ceiling, is to program different types of colors!

Now, my boring ceiling fan is not going to bring a rainbow inside my living room or wherever it is installed.

Outdoor ceiling fans

Another great opportunity for light automation

As long as the water isn’t getting close to the contacts, a smart light bulb is the best option for this ceiling fan.

Most outdoor fans do not have light covers! Which is awesome because you can get directly the best smart light bulb

The hue Philips smart bulb is the way to go.

Remember to ensure that the light socket is threaded. If not, you’ll have to get the proper one.

The installation is extremely simple, there are even ones with bolts so you wouldn’t need to weld anything in case you find it too challenging.

Smart light bulb ceiling fan: Energy-Star ceiling fans

smart light bulb ceiling fan

These fans only differ from the standard ones in their energy efficiency

In case you don’t know, Energy-Star is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to try to control how much energy an appliance needs run on a daily basis.

If a ceiling fan has an energy-star rating, it means that it will consume less energy than regular ones.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that the light will behave worse or something like that.

It’s just a matter of energy efficiency that it’s cool to have.

In terms of knowing if a smart light bulb will work with this ceiling fan, you’re in for a treat.

Again, a smart light bulb like the Philips hue will do the job just fine.

But remember what I said for the other models,

There are thousands of ceiling companies that sell ceiling fans, and their designs vary a lot!

So make sure of two things:

  1. The light cover has clearance to let the Philips hue fit in and
  2. The socket must be threaded, otherwise, you would need to change it.

Dual motor ceiling fans

These ceiling fans are designed to cover wider areas.

Again, the same principle applies to this kind of fan.

Also, when I was analyzing this model, I remembered something very important:

The voltage that this ceiling fan could vary depending on the country you live in.

There are dual motor ceiling fans that run at 240V. in this case, the smart light bulb that can be used with this ceiling fan has to withstand that amount of voltage

Otherwise, you can make an accident!

Be sure that the Philips Hue light in your country works from 110v to 220v at least.

But in general, the other principles apply to this model.

Remote-controlled ceiling fans

smart light bulb ceiling fan

The remote-controlled ceiling fan made by Hampton Bay, at least the premium one, can dimmer the light by itself.

The remote has a percentage where you can decide how low or high you want it.

So, if you own this type of model, I guess you wouldn’t need a smart light bulb to reduce light intensity.

But in case you want to change colors, create morning routines, and really automate your living room or bedroom

The Phillips hue is the best way to go.

I recommend it so much because it is LED powered.

And what that means?

Well, that it can last way more than other types of models.

LED lights are even used on airplanes for illumination, and there’s a reason for that.

And if you know a little bit more about smart illumination you could think

What about Lifx for example?

These lights are awesome, don’t get me wrong, but the one I’ve chosen for my ceiling fan was the Philips Hue.

I’ve tried them and they work really well.

Smart Light bulb for ceiling fan

philips hue

In general, the best smart light bulb for any type of ceiling fan is the Philips Hue.

Lifx develops a good smart bulb that could do the trick as well

There are lots of models for LIFX smart bulbs. In my personal recommendation would be to get the ones that are smaller! Because once you get them, you would want to install them right away

And it would be really sad that they couldn’t fit the light compartment in your fan.

After you passed all the hassle of installing the smart bulb on your ceiling fan

The real fun will start

You can change the colors with your voice!! Using Amazon Alexa or Google assistant

You will have total control of your lights on your fan and take a little step further into your automation journey.

Nelson Barbosa

I'm an engineer in love with smart home tech. On my website, I share useful tips and tricks to help my readers get the most of their devices and make their lives simpler by adding just a drop of technology in everyday routines!

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