I want to replace an old ceiling fan with one with remote control for fan and lights. The fan is hung from an exposed beam, solid 4" X 8". An electrician told me that I had to make sure I bought a fan with the remote sensor within the fan itself, or he could not wire it so that it would work with the remote. I bought a fan at Home Depot that has the remote sensor in the canopy, and he tells me that this will not work. I have tried to explain to suppliers what the electrician needs, but no one knows what he is talking about. Can someone explain the differences in remote controls so that I can finally find the right thing?

Thanks

I don't know why he would say the factory remote won't work. They seem to work for millions of people. If you buy a fan without a remote you can also buy a remote kit to do an after market add-on but you already have what you need. Maybe what you need is a new electrician or send him to HD to buy a fan.

I Don't understand what he is talking about. They have receivers in switch housings that are Factory.
Then they make one that will fit in fan canopy.(Universal) Should work.
They are tight fit, almost, but not impossible.
Maybe the fan is certain style that won't accept .
What Fan do you have?

What make and model was the existing fan?

I too have no idea why any remote fan wouldn't work.

The fan I purchased is a Hampton Bay pre-equipped with a remote. After I got your answers, I talked to another electrician about the situation, and he agreed that space in the canopy was the only possible problem. He also said that he could easily work around that. So, all of your answers allowed me to reach a solution.

Thanks to all!

Yep, sometimes the solution to a fan problem is a different installer with mpore experience.
Good luck