So, we plan to replace a ceiling fan. Currently, it's a dumb fan/light with pull strings for changing the fan speed or turning the light on/off. The nice thing is that there are two switches at the wall - 1 fan and 1 light. Currently, I'm using the GE Zwave on/off switches for both.
The fan we're looking at has a dimmable LED light and 3-speed fan. It has a remote control, so uses one of the remote modules in the canopy.
I think I have a few options (especially since we're also painting the room at the same time):
Remove one wall switch (assuming we could just cap both ends) and use an Inovelli Red fan+light switch. The issue is those are out of stock until next year.
Ditch the remote control (and the canopy module) and replace the two existing on/off GE switches - with fan control switch and a dimmer switch for the light. Wire them directly without the canopy module.
I'm assuming that #2 is going to be the best option at this point. I do have the Lutron Pro hub on my network as well, so any I know they could do #2. But I'm wondering if #2 is the best solution, and if so, should I just bite the $ bullet and get the Lutron controls instead of similar GE/Jasco products?
I recently replaced a ceiling fan in my home as well. I also use Lutron Caseta devices extensively throughout my home. I chose to buy a simple pull-chain ceiling fan, as they are still readily available and work great with my Lutron in-wall Fan Controller and Dimmer Switch devices. Works great, and the pull-chain model of the fan was slightly less expensive. It was a win-win for us!
Not all fans will work that way. As @ogiewon mentioned, it’s generally the kind that would otherwise use pull chains for light and fan speed control that will work directly with smart switches.
I have the Inovelli Red fan+light combo switch with the canopy module, and so far it works great. I can't speak highly enough for it, stinks though that it won't be back in stock. Personally i would just use the current dumb device until you can get it.
One thing to check is does the fan use a DC motor vs a AC one. DC and led bulb may be used to minimize the energy usage, but makes most external options for control a non starter.
If the fan uses a AC motor with a canopy device then most likely the canopy module will use just two wires for power, but it does break it out to 3 to the fan. This is likely just like what you have with the two wall switch. You would ditch the canopy controller and just wire your current switches or new ones to the fan directly. Ofcourse you are then paying for something you won't use, but that is just how it is. If you do this direct route make sure you have the correct switches for the fan or for the bulbs. They are not the same as i understand it. I have heard great thing about lutron in this situation, but i think GE and Zooz also make switches for it.
You also always have the option of Bond to control over RF, but then we are talking about another hub
Consider using a zwave dimmer for your light portion, and a zwave fan controller for the fan. If you're buying a pull chain fan, direct wired. Or if an AC fan just don't use the canopy controller.
The Leviton zwave fan controller supports AC fans with 4 speeds. Leviton ZW4SF-1BW https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GQJWSRG
As others have suggested Caseta or RadioRA2 fan controllers for AC motor fans would also work well if you already have Lutron ecosystems at home.
DC fans generally have their own canopy controllers integrated and will need an RF bridge like Bond to control with a hub.
It was a win-win for us!
