If you have ceiling fans, you’ll likely need to replace one of the blades at some point. You’ll want to do it right so you can keep using your fan for years to come.
This guide covers the basics of replacing a blade and what you’ll need to know. We hope you find it helpful.
In This Article We'll Discuss
Are ceiling fan blades universal?
Before you head to the hardware store, you’ll want to get some information on the brand and model of your ceiling fan.
You’ll need to find that information because ceiling fan motors are not universal. Ceiling fan motors are chosen specifically by manufacturers based on blade size, materials, and even the type of use the fan will likely get.
The arm helps lock the blade in place. So, it makes sense that different kinds of fans would have different kinds of blades.
Manufacturers also need to factor in the weight and fan blade material. Then, based on that information, they’ll use different methods to connect blades to fans. So, there is no universal arm for ceiling fans.
How do you know what type of ceiling fan blade you need?
For Harbor Breeze fans
While some ceiling fan brands have a broad product catalog, Harbor Breeze’s doesn’t. In fact, you can purchase universal replacement blades at most major online retailers.
When looking for a universal blade, you’ll want to know two things—the size of the fan and the color. The size of the fan will determine the size of blade you need.
You’ll also want to know the color of the other blades. That way, you won’t end up with mismatched colors. Some Harbor Breeze fans use a brushed metal-colored blade and others use a reversible blade that is light on one side and dark on the other.
Also, be sure to get enough blades to replace all of them. The colors will fade over time, so you’ll want to swap them all out at the same time to ensure a consistent appearance.
For Hunter fans
Finding a replacement blade for a Hunter ceiling fan can be a challenge because they don’t have a website. The original owner’s manual will tell you which fan blade number to use. If you don’t have the manual, you’ll have to look for a universal replacement.
You’ll want to know the size of your fan and fan blade. Also, you’ll want to know the color and the number of blades you’ll need.
You want to avoid purchasing a replacement blade that looks different from the ones you are currently using. That would create a color imbalance as well as a weight imbalance because of the different weights of the fan blades. You might even burn out your motor.
For Hampton Bay fans
Hampton Bay fans require some extra homework to find replacement fan blades. While Harbor Breeze and Hunter fans are mostly compatible with universal replacements, Hampton Bay makes specific replacement blades for its fans.
So, you’ll want to know your fan’s model number to make sure the fan and blades are compatible. There is a silver sticker on the top of your motor assembly that will provide this information.
If you want to replace your Hampton Bay blades with a more universal set of replacements, you’ll want to know some specific information. For example, the length of the blade, the depth, general placement of holes to screw it into place, and manufacture materials.
Minka-Aire
It isn’t hard to find replacement blades for Minka-Aire fans. All you need to know is the model name. Knowing the size helps, too, because getting the right size will ensure your fixture works properly.
You don’t need to know the specific dimensions because Minka-Aire fans are individualized products. Replacement blades are built for specific models. So, you probably won’t find universal blades that can serve as replacements.
Honeywell
It’s very easy to find the part number for Honeywell replacement blades. It’s included in the manual. If you purchase your fan from an online retailer, a link to the manual is often available at purchase.
But, finding replacement blades is a bit trickier because you can only buy them from Honeywell itself. If you need to replace a Honeywell fan blade, we’d suggest contacting the company.
What is a ceiling fan blade arm?
A ceiling fan blade arm is exactly what it sounds like it is. It’s an arm extending from the fan’s motor that connects to the blades.
They are usually made from wood or metal and are always designed to match the overall look of your ceiling fan.
The number of arms your fan has determines the number of blades it has. Also, they usually have three or five holes to screw the blade into.
How are ceiling fan blades measured?
There are two ways to measure ceiling fan blades. You can measure from tip to tip on the blade itself, or from the tip of the blade to the tip of another blade to get the diameter of the fan itself.
Both serve different purposes. For example, the blade diameter will tell you where you can place the fan without worrying that the blades will hit the ceiling.
Measuring the blade itself will tell you if a replacement blade will change the fan’s diameter.
How do you replace a ceiling fan blade arm?
Replacing a ceiling fan blade arm isn’t complicated. It just requires unscrewing it from the blade and from the fan itself.
The first step is to turn off the power. Don’t work on electrical fixtures with active circuits, even if the work only involves mechanical issues, like a broken fan blade arm.
Remove the light cover. Then, unscrew the blades from the arm and the arm from the fan itself. The order doesn’t matter, so choose the easiest way based on the kind of fan you have.
Make sure to keep the old screws because you’re going to use them to screw the new arm and blade into the fan. We recommend screwing the arm to the fan first. If you choose to screw the blade in first, it will make the fan a little heavier and more difficult to maneuver.
Once you have screwed everything in, replace the light cover and turn the power back on.
One last suggestion is to check for wobbling blades. You could also use a fan blade balancing kit to ensure it’s straight.
Conclusion
We hope you found this guide helpful. If you did, we’d invite you to leave a comment down below or share it on your social media network.