How to Install a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are a good upgrade for your home and they can serve a few purposes. They can keep your home cooler when it's hot and warmer when it's cold, they also can provide a light if you choose one with that option. There are basically three sizes of fan for personal use and there is a pretty good rule of thumb to go by. If you have a room smaller than 225 square feet, you need to go with either a 42 inch or 44 inch fan. If your room is larger than that you need to use a 52 inch fan. Also remember that a fans blades need to be at least 7 feet off the ground. In most cases when a fan is put up it is replacing a light fixture and usually when this is done the switch continues to control the light. In this case, the fan pull or chain is used to operate the fan which is more than fine for most cases. Another option would be to install another switch for the fan by itself, which is done but not very often. If neither of these is good the best thing would be to buy a fan that is controlled by a remote control. In reality a ceiling fan can be installed by one person but it can be quite awkward at times because the fan can weigh upwards of 50 lbs. As always before you get started turn off the power at the breaker and I would suggest some safety goggles for this one, you will get debris falling from the ceiling and when it gets in your eye it's no fun.

To get started you need to take down the light fixture that the fan is replacing and make sure the ceiling box is ok, or even there in some cases. If it is there and seems stable you are in good shape to continue, if not you need to put up what is called a bar hanger so it will support the weight of the fan. In almost every case this will not be necessary but you need to know that you can't mount a fan to the drywall alone. Once you have prepared the area where your fan is going you need to prepare it for wiring. First you need to push the fan's downrod through the canopy from behind, and feed the wires from the fan motor through the downrod and canopy. Join the downrod to the motor, and tighten the screws that hold the two pieces together.

Attaching the ceiling plate is the next step, this is what will actually hold the fan in place and let the wires thread through. Once you have the plate in place pull the wires through the hole in the middle and then screw the ceiling plate in place into the box. Your ceiling plate will have a hook on the side; this is so you can temporarily hang the fan there for the purpose of wiring. You need to follow the manufacturer's wiring directions because they can vary depending on the number of switches controlling the fan. Once you have successful wired the fan you need to put wire nuts on the connections and wrap with electrical tape if need be. Push the wires back into the box and push the canopy back over the ceiling plate. Once the canopy is on the hooks attach it with the screws provided and then attach the fan blades.

Most fans these days come with lights on them and that would be the next step, connecting the light. Connect the wires to the fan's lighting wires in the switch housing, usually black to black and white to white. Next simply fasten the fixture to the fan with the screws and you are ready to go. It really is pretty simple and not too time consuming. You can do it by yourself but I would recommend having someone around so they can help if need be. Good luck...