We, too, have never had a problem with the ceiling fans. I guess it all has to do with who was screwing that day...
Our FF keeps getting stuck. I turn it on at the wall, and it will make the racket and the knob with turn until it actually gets to the point that the cover should be lifting. Then it just stops. George has gone out several times and unstuck it. Last time, he oiled it. It worked for a while, but is now stuck again. He said this time he would grease it. (So what's the big difference in oil and grease??)
Other than that, it works really well and is not overly loud. The fan in the bedroom doesn't get used often, but we have a dark cover over it, and I keep it barely cracked when in storage (which is outside). To me, it is no louder than the a/c.
Sharon