Ceiling fans don't just serve to air out a stuffy, warm or smelly room. Ceiling fans also add a lot of charm and beauty to a themed room. At the same time, a ceiling fan can help you save on your electric bills. This is probably why more and more people are starting to get interested in fans. If you want one of these functional decorations, you might want to know how to install a ceiling fan. It might be easier than you think.
Check Your Skills
The first step to know how to install a ceiling fan is to find out first if you have the aptitude for basic electrical procedures. It may be easy for some but learning how to install a ceiling fan really does require a basic feel for electrical wiring.
Just remember though that aside from the basic wiring knowledge, you also need to know about the building codes in your area. Building codes should guide the floor-to-fan height, the materials you use and practically everything else. If you are not absolutely certain of your skill and knowledge, you should get an expert.
Choose the Fan
The next obvious step in learning how to install a ceiling fan is picking the fan. You can have a fan with lights or without any. You should take note though that a fan design with lights could overload a circuit so you have to check the circuit capacity. The diameter of the fan should also be appropriate to the size of your room.
If you are an amateur electrician, it is probably not such a good idea to learn how to install a ceiling fan if there are no existing wires. In other words, install a ceiling fan only if there is already a wired fixture at the center of the ceiling. Some products offer steps and additional assistance to help you know how to install a ceiling fan.
How to Install a Ceiling Fan
The guideline given here are basic and simplified instructions for ready to install ceiling fans. What you need to do at first is to switch off the power and then detach the existing ceiling fixture. The removal of the fixture will reveal the electrical box under. Check the box if it has sufficient support to hold a ceiling fan. There should be braces in between the joists to help support the weight of the fan.
Move on to attaching the mounting bracket to the workbox. You might have to use the hook and bracket provided with the product so that the fan can stay at one side as you make the attachment. The next step is to connect the colored wires with the same colors and secure the connections with wire nuts. When you are done, you can put on the fan cover.
The last and final installation step is to attach the fan blades and cover or the lights if you have them. You can easily do this by following the product instructions to the letter. See if your installation is successful by turning the power back on and testing the fan. Be very observant of wobbling or other unusual fan movements. If your fan wobbles, something could be loose.
When you have an easy to install ceiling fan, it can make a big difference in the climate of your home in both winter and summer. Your first step in installing a new ceiling fan is deciding where you want the fan located. The usual place to install one is in the middle of the room where it usually replaces a central light fixture. The center of the room will provide a smooth air flow to the rest of the room.
A fan uses about the same power as a light ceiling fixture, so your electrical circuit should not get overloaded. If your fan has lights as well, you should ensure that the circuit can handle the load. If it cant, you will have to run a new circuit with a new circuit breaker. If you dont have a central ceiling fixture, you will have to create one by bringing electrical power to it. You can easily tap into an existing circuit for this.
You should then check the floor to ceiling height of the blades. Measure the floor to ceiling distance and subtract for the part of the fan that will hang below the ceiling to the lower blade surface. The minimum height recommended is 7 feet.
If you find that the floor to ceiling distance is to small, check into a low ceiling mount for the fan. With certain fan models, you can increase the fan blade height by as much as ten inches. You will need at least twelve inches between your ceiling and the top of the fan blades to ensure proper airflow. If you have the space, eighteen inches works best.
Before you begin to install your new ceiling fan, it is of utmost importance that you turn off the power. You cant begin work until the power to the light fixtures circuit breaker or fuse is off. It is only then that you should remove the light fixture. Be sure you read all of the installation instructions and the electrical safety tips before beginning as well. This can mean the difference between a smooth and simple installation, and an installation that involves a trip to your local emergency room.
Both Tommy Saze & Arturo R are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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