Ceiling FansStandard

Maxim 88841SN Ceiling Fan Manual

Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 52 in. ceiling fan with light kit, with verified specifications.

  • Blade span52 in.
  • Efficiency166 CFM/W
  • Power (high)37.2 W
  • Rated forIndoor use

About the Maxim 88841SN

This guide covers the Maxim 88841SN, a 52 in. ceiling fan with light kit on the ENERGY STAR certified list. A 52 in. blade span is generally suited to rooms of roughly 225–400 sq. ft., such as a large bedroom or family room.

As a standard (non-hugger) model, it hangs below the ceiling — typically on a downrod — so the blade height can be set to suit the room. It includes a light kit; lamp specifications are not part of the certification record.

Its rated airflow efficiency is 166 CFM per watt, and it draws 5.5 W on low and 37.2 W on high with 0.7 W of standby power. That efficiency is higher than 20% of the 1,044 Standard models in our database.

Specifications

Maxim 88841SN specifications
BrandMaxim
Model number88841SN
Fan typeStandard
Blade span (diameter)52 in.
Indoor / outdoor ratingIndoor
Light kit includedYes
Airflow efficiency165.9 CFM/W
Power at low speed5.5 W
Power at high speed37.2 W
Standby power0.7 W
Smart / connected featuresNo
Dimmable lightYes
Fan components warranty (as listed)5 years
ENERGY STAR Most EfficientNo

Safety information

  • Turn off power at the circuit breaker — not just the wall switch — before installing, wiring or servicing the fan, and confirm the power is off with a non-contact voltage tester.
  • Mount the fan only to an electrical box marked as acceptable for fan support (or to a fan-rated brace), secured directly to the building structure. Ordinary light-fixture boxes are not designed to carry a moving fan.
  • Keep the lowest point of the blades at least 7 ft above the floor and well clear of furniture, bunk beds, cabinets and doors.
  • If you are not comfortable with household wiring, have the fan installed by a licensed electrician in accordance with local codes.
  • Do not bend blade brackets or mix blades from different sets — this upsets the balance and can loosen hardware.
  • Allow the light kit to cool before touching it, and do not exceed the wattage or use bulbs other than those specified in the manual.

Installation and first-time setup

With a 52 in. (132 cm) blade span, center the fan in the room or over the main seating area and keep the blade tips at least 18 in. from walls and sloped ceilings. For the best airflow, the blades should sit 8–9 ft above the floor and at least 10 in. below the ceiling; on taller ceilings use a longer downrod.

  1. Check the electrical box

    Confirm the ceiling box is metal or plastic marked for fan support and fastened to a joist or a fan-rated brace. Replace it if it is a standard light box.

  2. Assemble on the floor

    Unpack all parts, check them against the parts list, and pre-assemble the downrod or mounting bracket, canopy and motor housing as the manual describes. Leave the blades off until the motor is hung, if the manual allows.

  3. Hang the motor

    Attach the mounting bracket to the box, thread the wires through the downrod, and seat the downrod ball in the bracket so the fan can hang freely while you wire it.

  4. Make the wiring connections

    Connect the supply wires as the wiring diagram shows — typically black (hot) to black, white (neutral) to white, and the green or bare wire to ground — using properly sized wire connectors. Fans with light kits often have a separate (commonly blue) wire for the light; connect it as the diagram shows. If a receiver for a remote or wall control is supplied, install it in the canopy as shown.

  5. Attach blades and light

    Fasten each blade securely and tighten every screw evenly. Plug in or mount the light kit, then fit the glass or diffuser. Restore power and test every speed and the light.

  6. Balance the fan

    If the fan wobbles noticeably on high, check that all blade and bracket screws are tight, then use the balancing kit supplied with the fan to find and correct the light blade.

Using your ceiling fan

Summer and winter direction

In warm weather, run the fan counterclockwise (as seen from below) so the blades push air down and create a cooling breeze. In cold weather, switch to clockwise on low speed to gently draw air up and push warm air that collects at the ceiling down along the walls without creating a draft. Stop the fan completely before changing direction.

Saving energy with a ceiling fan

A ceiling fan cools people, not rooms — the moving air makes skin feel cooler through evaporation. If you use air conditioning, the breeze lets you raise the thermostat by about 4 °F without losing comfort, which cuts cooling costs far more than the fan itself costs to run. At high speed this fan draws about 37.2 W, a small fraction of what a central or room air conditioner uses. Turn the fan off when you leave the room.

Using the light

The light is listed as dimmable; use the dimming function on the supplied control rather than adding a separate wall dimmer unless the manual approves one.

Care and maintenance

WhenWhat to do
Every monthDust the blades with a microfiber cloth or a pillowcase slipped over each blade so dust falls inside it. Heavy dust adds weight and can cause wobble.
Every 6 monthsWith power off, check that the canopy, downrod set screws, blade screws and light-kit fasteners are tight.
Twice a yearChange the rotation direction for the season.
As neededReplace remote-control batteries when the range drops. Wipe the motor housing with a dry or barely damp cloth — never spray liquid into the motor.
As neededClean the light glass or diffuser. If the light fails, follow the manual for replacing the LED module or bulbs.

Troubleshooting

Most ceiling fan problems are caused by loose hardware, wiring connections or an incompatible control. Turn off power at the breaker before checking anything inside the canopy or housing.

ProblemPossible causeWhat to try
Fan will not startBreaker off; wall switch off; loose wire connection; remote not paired.Check the breaker and switch; with power off, recheck connections in the canopy; re-pair the remote following the manual.
Fan wobblesLoose blade or bracket screws; blades out of balance; mounting not secure.Tighten all screws, confirm the box is fan-rated and secure, then use the balancing kit.
Clicking noiseLoose blade screws, light glass or canopy; downrod not seated.Tighten fasteners and reseat the downrod ball in the bracket.
Humming noiseIncompatible wall control or dimmer; loose canopy.Use only the control supplied or approved for the fan; tighten the canopy.
Remote does not workWeak battery; receiver code mismatch; wall switch off.Replace the battery, re-pair the remote, and leave the wall switch on.
Little airflow feltFan turning in winter (clockwise) direction; blades too close to the ceiling; fan too small for the room.Switch to counterclockwise for summer and compare the room with the 52 in. blade span guidance.
Light flickers or will not turn onLoose light-kit connector; dimmer not compatible; failed LED module.With power off, reseat the connector; remove any non-approved dimmer; contact the manufacturer for a replacement module.

Energy use and running costs

Ceiling fan certification data lists power draw rather than an annual energy figure, so the table below estimates yearly use for the Maxim 88841SN at an average electricity price of $0.17 per kWh. Adjust the hours to match how you use the fan.

ScenarioPowerEnergy per yearCost per year
High speed, 8 h/day37.2 W109 kWh$18.47
Low speed, 8 h/day5.5 W16.1 kWh$2.73
Standby, 16 h/day0.7 W4.1 kWh$0.69

Its airflow efficiency of 166 CFM/W is the ratio of air moved to power used under the DOE test procedure. A more efficient fan moves the same air for less electricity.

Frequently asked questions

What size room is the Maxim 88841SN suitable for?

With a 52 in. blade span, it is best suited to rooms of roughly 225–400 sq. ft., such as a large bedroom or family room. Very large or long rooms often work better with two fans.

How energy efficient is the Maxim 88841SN?

It is rated at 166 cubic feet per minute of airflow per watt. Higher CFM/W means more air moved for each watt of electricity.

How many watts does the Maxim 88841SN use?

About 5.5 W on low and about 37.2 W on high, plus 0.7 W in standby. Running on high for 8 hours a day costs about $18.47 a year at $0.17/kWh.

Can the Maxim 88841SN be installed outdoors?

No. It is listed for indoor use only. Choose a damp- or wet-rated fan for porches and patios.

Does the Maxim 88841SN have a light?

Yes. It includes a light kit, and the light is dimmable.

Is the Maxim 88841SN a smart fan?

No. The certified configuration has no app or network connectivity; it is operated with its supplied control.

What warranty does the Maxim 88841SN have?

The ENERGY STAR listing reports a 5-year warranty on fan components. Confirm the full terms, including motor and light-kit coverage, with the manufacturer.

Sources and disclaimer

Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified ceiling fans dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified August 1, 2024), retrieved October 7, 2026.

The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Maxim. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Maxim or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.

Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.