The 7 Steps of New Ceiling Fan Installation
Maybe it is broken or on the verge of going kaput. Maybe it just no longer fits with the atmosphere of the home or the tastes of the homeowners. Whatever the reason, you have decided that the time has come to replace your old ceiling fan and get an upgrade.
Making such a choice is one thing, but acting on that choice is another thing altogether. Ceiling fan removal is more than just unscrewing a few things, and ceiling fan installation is more than just screwing a few things. This expert guide can walk homeowners through the X steps of this twofold process.
Choose the Right Fan
Picking out a ceiling fan requires some careful thought. Aside from the appeal of the appearance, you must consider some more practical factors. For example, is it even big enough to cool down the space where you plan to hang it? If not, you could have it at full power and still find yourself sweating.
Before you start shopping, measure the length, width, and height of your room. The smallest rooms usually only need a fan with 36-inch blades or less. For every additional 100 square feet of space, add a few inches to the length of the blades.
The importance of length is not just about effectiveness, either. The tips should be at a comfortable distance away from the walls. About 18 inches will usually do. While we are on the subject, make sure to get one that hangs at least seven feet off the floor.
Turn Off the Power
Ceiling fans require electricity to work. Before you even start the removal process, you must first shut off the flow of power that is normally directed to the fan. Wiring is a big part of the process, and carelessness around these cords could cause harm. Find the right breaker and flip it.
Even if the breaker is clearly labeled, you must take precautions for your safety. If there are any lightbulbs, remove them before you remove anything else. Whip out a circuit tester and check that no electricity is coursing through your old fan. Finally, set the fan's wall switch to off if applicable.
Remove the Old Fan
With all that preparation out of the way, you can start removing the old fan. It should be hooked to the ceiling with a mounting bracket, so cup it in your hands and get it off. Detach the mounting bracket once you are done. You may need another person for assistance, especially if any screws need to be removed.
Be careful not to simply yank the whole fixture down. There are wires inside that are still connected to the ones that run through the ceiling's hole. Now that you are sure the power is off, disconnect the plastic connectors from the ends of the wires. With the ceiling fan removal complete, the actual ceiling fan installation can now begin.
Install the Electrical Box
As you may have noticed just now, ceiling fans are heavy. Given that they hang several feet over tables and sofas and people, that weight presents a potential risk. You do not have to worry about said risk at all if your electrical box is labeled "appropriate for ceiling fans" or something similar.
Once you have confirmed that your box has such a label, you can set it up. It could be screwed onto the underside of a joist — the horizontal bars hidden behind ceilings that frame the room. If the joists are close enough, you can even use an expandable bracket. Just pop the tool through the hole and crank it out until it cannot move any further.
Put the New Fan Together
You can now take a break from standing on a ladder and take a seat on the floor. Assembling the new ceiling fan is easier down there anyway. An enclosed manual will provide specifics, but the three major parts to connect are:
- Motor assembly: the housing for the motor that makes the blades move at all
- Downrod: the limb that makes the fan jut from the ceiling
- Canopy cover: the decorative bowl that encloses the wires
Yes, a few parts are missing from this list. We will get to those in due time.
You may notice that the wires are long — much longer than you will need. Cut them down to about eight or ten inches. Then, carefully use a wire stripping tool to expose about half an inch of insulation.
Make the Connections
You will need to attach a new mounting bracket to the electrical box. If your old one is compatible with your new fan, you may reattach that instead. After that, connect the downrod to the bracket.
Next comes the wiring. The aforementioned manual should provide info that is more specific to your situation. You will almost certainly have to join like colors — black with black, green with green, and so forth. Once you twist them together, cover them with plastic caps for protection.
Finally, the canopy must be secured to the ceiling. It will cover the wires, electrical box, mounting bracket, and receiver if applicable. Just screw in the screws.
Add the Finishing Touches
The ceiling fan installation process is almost finished. Only a few important parts remain to be attached, including the blades. Affix the brackets to them, then connect them to the motor. Make sure their screws are tight because you would not want anything called "blades" flying around the room at high speeds.
That may be the final step for certain fan models. If your fan comes with lighting, this is the time to set that up. A wire should be hanging from under the motor. Attach it to the light kit as directed in your instruction manual. Take care of the wiring and plug the kit into the rest of the structure. Once you screw in the lightbulbs, you should have a lovely new ceiling fan.
Ceiling Fan Installation Services at Trading Post Fan Company
If you have any further questions, Trading Post Fan Company can help out. Our team of in-house experts takes calls from homeowners to assist with ceiling fan installation. We know that the process of removal and replacement can be tough and tricky, so we do our best to make it easier.
On top of that, our store also boasts a massive selection of top-notch ceiling fans . If you need a new one, you can get it here at a great price. Visit our store today.