Remote Controlled Ceiling Fixture Help, Please.

16 years ago

Previous homeowners installed a ceiling fan with lights in the master bedroom. The fan and lights are controlled with a remote, and not by the wall switch near the bedroom door.

This remote-only operation is just evil; If we come home to a dark room, we have to hunt for the remote in the dark if we want to turn on the lights.

We want to replace the fan with a semi-flush ceiling fixture, and we want that fixture to turn on using the switch near the door.

Our house was built in 1969 and in all the other bedrooms, there are no ceiling fixtures at all. The light switches near the bedroom doors control one socket in each of the wall outlets.

Therefore, we don't know if the wall switch in our bedroom was ever connected to the ceiling fixture, or if it is possible to connect.

My question is this: will an electrician be able to easily fix it so the wall switch controls the ceiling fixture, or will it be an involved task?

Another option is to cap off the ceiling fixture and just use table lamps plugged into the sockets the wall switch does control, but we'd like an operable ceiling fixture if getting it installed won't be a huge production.

Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Billl
16 years ago
It really depends. If you have a stick built ranch house with open basement and attic space, then just about any change you want to make will be fairly easy. If the walls were all open, you could do this in 10 minutes. They could just hard wire the wall outlet and run a switch loop for the ceiling fixture. If you have finished spaces all around the area that limit access, then it becomes more complicated. If you have to start cutting into walls or ceilings just to get access, that would involve drywall work, mudding, sanding, priming, painting etc. Certainly still doable, but it would take longer and be more expensive.

BTW - most remote brands sell wall mounts for these situations.
leafy02
Original Author
16 years ago
Bill, thank you for replying. The house is a split-level, so the bedroom has the family room underneath it. There is some kind of crawl-space type attic; I've never been up there and I think access is through a closet ceiling--I'm not even sure(!)

Cutting into things is what I want to avoid--just don't want a big project.

I know about the wallmounts for the remote, but I hate the way they look, and since I wanted to get rid of the fan anyway, I was hoping I could do without the remote altogether.

I guess what I'll do is ask the electrician when he's out here installing the other fixtures I'm wanting replaced. I wish I was brave enough to do them myself, but I'm not.

Do you think he'll be able to tell pretty well from looking at the house/attic access whether it'll be easy or will involve cutting?

Thanks!
Related Professionals
Austin General Contractors · Jackson General Contractors · Aberdeen Home Remodeling · Knoxville Home Remodeling · Lafayette Home Remodeling · Bangor Home Remodeling · Scranton Home Remodeling · Milwaukee Home Remodeling · Amherstburg Home Remodeling · Houma Bathroom Remodelers · Trenton Bathroom Remodelers · Akron Bathroom Remodelers · Allentown Bathroom Remodelers · Murrieta Bathroom Remodelers · Anchorage Bathroom Remodelers
randy427
16 years ago
One look through the attic access and your electrician can tell you how big of a job it is. Unless he finds really tight headroom to work with, it shouldn't be a big deal.