If you have an interest in adding an element of elegance and function to a room in your house, one feature that you will automatically look to is the ceiling fan. To better understand the workings of your ceiling fan, however, you should be familiar with the various and essential ceiling fan parts.

This will make future repair and replacement a great deal easier, as well as help you maintain the integrity of this device. Listed below, you'll find five of the essential parts that make your ceiling fan run smoothly.

Blades

The blades of your ceiling fan are the most recognizable part, and luckily, due to the fact that they can wear out and even break, are often easily replaced. Even if your fan is of foreign construction or is simply less common, replacement blades can always be drilled to fit.

Replacement kits, which contain only the blades themselves, can be easily acquired. Similarly, you'll find that the blade arms, which hold the blades on to the turning mechanism, can be found in generic replacement sets, though these are more generalized. If you have an older fan whose appearance you want to preserve, contact the original retailer

Capacitors

The capacitor is the part of your fan that controls the speed and movement and fortunately, it can often easily be replaced as well. Make sure that before you go to buy a new capacitor that you check the rating o the model, due to the fact that your fan should only use a capacitor that spins at the appropriate power.

Motors

The motor, as the power source, might be the part of the fan that is the most difficult to replace. Motors these days are are built to last, though, and it is considered a fairly rare problem if it is the motor itself that fails. Replacement might be necessary if the motor fails, although if you are attached to the ceiling fan itself, you can always check with a specialist.

Pullchain Switches

Pullchain switches are the most common part of a ceiling fan to require repair, most likely due to the fact that they are the part that is most often handled. You'll find that the chain can be pulled out of the socket if yanked too hard, but luckily they are easily taken care of.

When you go to the hardware store to replace the pullchain and socket, make sure you match it up with the fan you have. Find out how many wires are used in your pullchain and how many speeds your fan has, and make sure that the chain you buy is identical.

Mounting Bracket

The mounting bracket is the part of your ceiling fan that holds it to the ceiling, and failure of this part is extremely unlikely. However, water damage or loss during a move can occur, an the mounting bracket can easily be replaced.

If your ceiling fan utilizes a downrod, you'll be able to replace the mounting bracket at just about any hardware store or home center. If you have a different arrangement, you will need to get in contact with the manufacturer.