# Is there a way to keep a ceiling fan from turning when it's off? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752 "2023-05-29T20:46:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/1 "2023-05-29T20:46:58Z")
I got new lights in the living room and they are _bright_ . And where I sit, one light is behind the fan blades. This gives me a headache when the fan is turning. If I want the fan going, I’m fine with turning the light off. But the fan moves when the AC is on, and I want to know if there’s some way to keep that from happening without hurting the fan motor ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/2 "2023-05-29T22:12:37Z")
Backing up a step you can stop the fan from turning by two approaches: make it stiffer to turn when not turned on. Or by reducing the airflow from the AC blowing on it. Anything that involved interfering with the easy-turning blades would need to be installed when the fan’s not in use and removed before turning the fan on. Which sounds like a mistake-prone PITA to me. I’d bet you’d have more success adjusting whichever register is blowing a draft at the fan. Or adding an air deflector to it. Such as **[Register air deflector - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=register+air+deflector&source=hp&oq=register+air+deflector)** ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/3 "2023-05-29T22:56:00Z")
In the name of science. I have some 1/2" square X 1/4" neodymium magnets. 4 stacked on the bottom of the housing and 4 on the top of one fan blade. I have a 12" fan on high pointing at it and it doesn’t turn. But if turn on the power… Voilà. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/4 "2023-05-29T23:07:02Z")
I could imagine your magnets slightly increasing power consumption, wear, and noise of the fan. But probably not enough to remotely matter. Good thinking. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/5 "2023-05-29T23:25:35Z")
If you’re going for maximum efficiency: Add a coil on the bottom of the housing that generates power when the magnets on the fan pass and a coil on one fan blade that generates power when the magnets on the housing pass. Now we’re getting into slip rings and balancing issues. Probably not worth it. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/6 "2023-05-29T23:29:14Z")
Could you unscrew/remove the offending bulb? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/7 "2023-05-29T23:38:03Z")
if your fan has lights hanging underneath it you can take a wire coat hanger and unwind it so it straight with a hook end. use that to hook to snag one of the blades and bend as needed to catch a light. When you get it the way you want then cover the hanger with duct tape so it doesn’t scratch anything. If you don’t have lights underneath then put a large [eyehook](https://www.amazon.com/National-Hardware-N220-863-2156BC-plated/dp/B001DZEE9E/ref=asc_df_B001DZEE9E/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198093211138&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6998127083573234151&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015822&hvtargid=pla-318859759129&psc=1) in the ceiling and do the same thing with the coat hanger. You want something that drops down between the blades. You would need to find a stud in the ceiling to tap into.It needs to be large enough that you can snag it with a coat hanger with 1 end bent into a loop. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/8 "2023-05-29T23:48:24Z")
If you’re going that route this would be easier. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hKIA_l5Gc_k/maxresdefault.jpg) ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hKIA_l5Gc_k/maxresdefault.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/9 "2023-05-29T23:58:46Z")
Defection, coat hanger or beer can. Your choice. ☺ ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/10 "2023-05-30T00:14:00Z")
LED fixture, and other than this I love it. Also, one of the reasons I replaced it was because it’s a vaulted ceiling so not easy to get to. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/11 "2023-05-30T00:15:03Z")
I will look into this ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/12 "2023-05-30T00:15:53Z")
I may need a diagram for this ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/13 "2023-05-30T00:16:21Z")
The bane of my existence is drafty HVAC vents. I totally hate the sensation of cold air blowing on me. Deflectors to try to aim the flow where I’m not are a necessity wherever I live. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/14 "2023-05-30T00:18:49Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > if your fan has lights hanging underneath it you can take a wire coat hanger and unwind it so it straight with a hook end. use that to hook to snag one of the blades and bend as needed to catch a light. When you get it the way you want then cover the hanger with duct tape so it doesn’t scratch anything. Being true to your name, I see! @dougrb I would need at least a twelve pack for that! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/15 "2023-05-30T01:21:53Z")
I’d try a lower-brightness/wattage bulb in the socket that bothers you, or readjusting its beam if it’s possible to do that. We put a new LED fixture in the area that connects our living room and front hallway and with the bulbs I selected, you could have performed surgery in there. New bulbs fixed that right up. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/16 "2023-05-30T01:40:50Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > I would need at least a twelve pack for that! It is a vaulted ceiling. Going to take a while to get up there. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/17 "2023-05-30T02:43:04Z")
Is it a recessed can light or does the light hang down. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/18 "2023-05-30T02:53:16Z")
It’s a flat led light on the angled part of a vaulted ceiling. Changes to the new lights are not going to happen ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-keep-a-ceiling-fan-from-turning-when-its-off/984752/19 "2023-06-03T22:45:25Z")
Go git yerself some Cheap Sunglasses!