Most quality ceiling fans have two ways of adjusting how they operate: blade direction and speed. The blade direction is designed to cool the room in the summer and heat the room in the winter and is controlled by a switch located on the fan that usually is labeled "reverse". The direction of the blades either pushes the warm air in the living area upward, towards the ceiling leaving cooler air in its wake, or it pulls warmer air, trapped near the ceiling, downward, increasing the temperature in the living area.

Before the invention of the wall and remote controls, all ceiling fan speeds were adjusted by means of a pull chain attached to the bottom of the fan. Each pull increased the fan's speed with a final pull usually turning the fan off. Chain pull adjustments varied from manufacturer to manufacturer but all were easy to get the hang of. The pull chain or pull cord method of adjusting a ceiling fan's speed continues to be one of the most commonly selected methods of operation.

As mentioned earlier, these fans typically have a chain (usually made of metal-bead) although some models have a cloth cord instead. Adjustable speed fans usually have three speeds although some models have as many as four to six speeds. Depending on the brand, the cycle will be from either high to low or the opposite.

Around 30 years ago, the variable-speed control was introduced and operated like a dimmer switch by providing an infinite number of speeds that the fan could be adjusted to. The variable-speed control dial was mounted directly on the body of the fan. Different manufacturers configured these controls to work in different ways.

The variable-speed control with an on and off pull-chain involves two completely separate operators. The variable-speed control adjusts the fan speed while the pull-chain is used to turn the fan off and on.

The variable-speed control with a fan and pull-chain, which turns the fan on and off, and if a light fixture is present, operates it as well. Although this type of arrangement varies somewhat from manufacturer to manufacturer, the most typical sequence is: the first pull turns only the fan on; the second pull turns only the light on; the third pull turns both the fan and light on and the final pull turns everything off. The variable-speed control operates independently in terms of regulating the speed of the fan if it's in the on position.

The most basic operator is the variable-speed control that turns the fan on and off as well as operating the light.

The wall-mounted ceiling fan control is another innovation designed to make the ceiling fan easier and more convenient to operate. The controls operating the ceiling fan are housed in a digitally controlled wall fixture that manages all the functions of the ceiling fan including turning it on and off, adjusting the speed of the blades and turning on and off any lights as well as dimming or brightening them. A big advantage of this type of control is that no special wiring is required. Coded electrical pulses are sent to the fan, which, in turn decodes theses signals transmitting them to an electronic control center, which then executes the user's instructions.

In an attempt to provide even greater user convenience the wireless remote control was developed several years ago. Today, these remote controls are available as an accessory with many ceiling fans. For existing fans that are compatible with these devices, after-market kits can be purchased and, with a few modifications, the existing fan can be modified for use with these remotes. Some remotes operate only one or two functions while the more expensive versions, provide complete ceiling fan control.

More and more purchasers of ceiling fans are investing the few additional dollars it takes to make operating their fans easier and more convenient. However, the more controls that are used, the more that can go wrong. So, if you decide to go the route of maximum convenience, be prepared for some problems along the way, which often require the replacement of these accessories.