Keeping cool during the hot summer season doesn't always involve turning your thermostat down. Retaining a comfortable temperature year-round can be as easy as flipping the switch on a ceiling fan. For most of us, the mere thought of “installing” anything can be enough to deter us from one of the most simplistic of home improvements. All you need is a light fixture in the ceiling of your room, and you're on your way to bringing the comfort of a Spring breeze into your home.

As with any project, the size of your ceiling fan depends on the room it will be installed in. Here are some guidelines to consider:

* 36-inch fans work well in rooms measuring 12 ft in length or less.

* If your room's length is between 12 and 16 feet, a 48-inch fan is best.

* 52-inch ceiling fans rank in the largest standard category, and are best used in rooms measuring 16 to 18ft in length or diameter.

* Should your room's length be more than 18 ft, a combination of 36-inch or 48-inch fixtures will be best.

Now, ceiling fans aren't as easy as plugging in a vacuum. You're going to need the right tools for the job, such as a small drill, screwdrivers, wrench, pliers, hammer, keyhole or sheet rock saw, and wire strippers. The bolts and screws should come in the hardware package included with your new fan. Electricity is one big danger element we need to remove, so locate in your breaker box the circuit for your room and flip it off. If you're having trouble finding it then take the safe route and turn off the master breaker for your house. This will cut all power, but it's always better safe than sorry. On a related note, it's times like these when a battery-operated or cordless drill is worth its weight in gold. Now that we're back in the room, remove the current lighting fixture. Use the locknuts to fasten the stove bolts into the adapter plate. Next, grab hold of the fixture box itself and give it a good tug. This will test it, making sure the fan's weight will not be an issue.

However, if your box doesn't hold, installing a metal brace between the ceiling joists will take care it. These can be found at any local hardware store. Don't worry about how ugly the hole in your ceiling looks at this point; the fan's canopy should cover this. Next, place the u-bolt over the metal brace and poke it through the fixture box and plate adapter. Once there, pull your electrical wiring through one of the knockouts in your fixture box. Place the box in the ceiling's cutout, keeping the front of the box flush with the drywall ceiling. The brace bars will then either twist to extend into place, securing to the ceiling joists, or slide outward and have to be screwed into the beams.

Now, you can string the wiring through the mounting plate, attaching the plate with the bolts and locknuts. While someone supports the fan's motor for you, tie all your wiring together, bearing in mind that black wires go together, white wires go together, and ground wires (either green or bare) tie together. Finish securing the fan motor to the mounting plate, and put the canopy back in place over the ceiling hole. Attach the fan blades, turn your electricity on again, and your brand new ceiling fan is ready to be enjoyed by the whole family.