Too Heavy

Author's Rating:

Pros: Solid construction, with an eye for historic detail.

Cons: Super heavy and difficult to install.

The Bottom Line: 
I would have bought this fan if I had access to my attic and had someone else help me install it. Consider both of those issues before purchasing this fan.

Author's Review
This won't be a complete review as I never got this fan installed. But I'm writing it anyway just so other consumers can learn from my experience.

I'm a huge fan (no pun intended) of the Hunter ceiling fans. I think they're the most reliable fan on the market. I've had some in my house that are 20 plus year old that have provided trouble free operation. I also like the design and look of Hunter fans --- they have several retro models that look great in historic homes. I live in a 1929 Tudor home, and I was excited about the prospect of installing a Hunter original in my home as it is time-period appropriate. Sadly, this was not to be.

I've probably installed 15 different ceiling fans by myself without any significant problems. But as soon as I bought a Hunter original I should have known I was in for trouble when I tried to pick up the box. It weighed over 50 pounds.

When I got the fan home and opened up the box, it was quite apparent that this fan was different --- its motor is housed in cast iron, which is why it is so heavy. Other reviewers have said that this motor requires yearly oiling. I wouldn't have minded this because I liked the look of the fan so much. But when I got on a ladder to put this motor on the ceiling mount, I decided that this was not a one person job. I was afraid of dropping the motor on the floor --- or worse, that the motor would take me off the ladder with it. Mounting most fans is a simple task --- you just wire it up and that's it. That's not the case with the Hunter Original. It must be mounted to a ceiling beam for support. And you have to use beam supports to get the fan installed. Theoretically, I could have mounted the Hunter Original. But I had no access to the portion attic where I would have had to install the beam supports.

Had I installed this fan without the supports, I'm sure it would have fallen, taking part of the ceiling with it. I so wanted to have this fan in my home, but is just wasn't meant to be.

I returned this fan to the store where I bought it, and got a refund. I believe I paid over $200 for this model. And with the refund, I bought two less expensive Hunter fans. Both have been running like champs since I installed them.