Are Ceiling Fan Light Kits Interchangeable? Replacing a Ceiling Fan Light Kit
Are ceiling fan light kits interchangeable?
Answer: Many ceiling fan light kits are interchangeable but it depends on the brand and model of the ceiling fan. Certain ceiling fan brands like Hunter and Casablanca only make light kits that fit their respective ceiling fan models. Other brands take a more universal approach that allows you to install or replace a light kit from other brands.
Because few ceiling fan light kits are truly universal we highly recommend sticking with the same brand light kit as your ceiling fan. For example, if you have a Craftmade ceiling fan, then you should install a Craftmade light kit. Not only does this ensure compatibility, but it also allows you to match the style and finish of your existing ceiling fan.
Choose a Light Kit by Manufacturer
Below we have listed some of the most popular ceiling fan brands and their light kit options to make it easier to shop for the right ceiling fan light kit.
Hunter Ceiling Fan Light Kits
Hunter is one of the few brands whose light kits are only universal to their own fans. If you own a Hunter ceiling fan you will want to stick with Hunter brand light kits. Luckily, Hunter offers plenty of light kit styles to choose from so you are sure to match your style and finish.
Craftmade Ceiling Fan Light Kits
Are ceiling fan light kits universal? Craftmade has made answering this question easier than ever by offering their own line of universal light kits. Universal light kits by Craftmade are guaranteed to fit Craftmade ceiling fans for easy installation and replacement. Craftmade also offers model specific light kits so that you choose the perfect match for your ceiling fan!
Casablanca Ceiling Fan Light Kits
When it comes to light kits, Casablanca offers a variety of styles to choose from. Unlike other ceiling fan brands whose light kits can be mixed and matched, Casablanca light kits are only compatible with their own fans so make sure to stick to the brand if you own a Casablanca ceiling fan.
Emerson Ceiling Fan Light Kits
Emerson is a brand that makes replacing a light kit an easy task by offering many universal light kit options that can be used on most of their ceiling fan models. This allows you to really hone in on the exact finish and style you want to transform the look of your ceiling fan. Choose from pull chain operated light kits to more advanced light kits that allow you to use a wall switch. Sticking with an Emerson light kit will allow for flawless style and color matching to any existing Emerson ceiling fan.
Fanimation Ceiling Fan Light Kits
All Fanimation ceiling fans can accept a light kit or fitter with the exception of a few models (Extraordinaire, Marea, Old Havana, Palmetter and the Punkah). This makes replacing an existing light kit or adding a light kit to an existing Fanimation ceiling fan a simple task.
Some Fanimation light kits should be matched to their ceiling fan models. Fanimation makes this easy by including the ceiling fan model name to each corresponding light kit for easy matching. For example if you own a Fanimation TriAire ceiling fan then you will need to purchase Fanimation TriAire light kit.
Monte Carlo Ceiling Fan Light Kits
Monte Carlo does a good job a keeping their ceiling fan light kits interchangeable. You can shop by light kit width to match light kits to your existing Monte Carlo ceiling fan. This allows you to focus on the style and finish of your favorite Monte Carlo light kit instead of worrying about model matching and fit. With Monte Carlo ceiling fan light kits you can choose from traditional bowl lights to modern disk lights based on your preferences.
Hampton Bay & Harbor Breeze Light Kits
Hampton Bay (Home Depot) and Harbor Breeze (Lowes) are the house-brands for the two popular big box home improvement stores. Replacement light kits for Hampton Bay and Harbor Breeze ceiling fans can be found at each respective store. Make sure to have a model number in hand so that a store associate can help you find the best corresponding light kit. If you are unsure of your ceiling fan model you can go with a universal ceiling fan light kit in-store or online as we cover below.
Universal Ceiling Fan Light Kits
If you have an older fan or are having trouble finding a light kit from your specific ceiling fan model you can always go with a universal light kit.
Universal light kits are usually found by popular brands such as Craftmade, Hampton Bay and Westinghouse. These light kits fit their respective brands but can also be used in other ceiling fan brands that use the same light kit base.
Universal light kits are usually universal for specific bases which means that any fan that shares that size base should accept the light kit.
A few of our favorite universal light kits are from Westinghouse as they fit most light kit adaptable ceiling fans with a center hole in the housing cap.
Universal does not always mean universal
It’s important to note that not all “universal” light kits are made equally. Brands like Hunter, Minka Aire and Casablanca market their light kits as universal but in truth they are only universal to their own ceiling fans.
For example, Hunter ceiling fan light kits are only interchangeable with Hunter ceiling fans. The “universal” means universal to their ceiling fan models only. A few brands are like this, so when shopping for universal light kits make sure they don’t specify this important detail.
This makes looking for a truly universal light kit complicated. To be sure if a light kit will fit it is best to ask your favorite ceiling fan retailer to confirm that the universal light kit you are purchasing will fit your specific ceiling fan model!
