Installing a Ceiling Fan

Problem: Hot summer days and cold winter nights can send your utility bills through the roof.
 
Solution: A ceiling fan can help lower your utility bills by increasing the air circulation in your home. A wide variety of sizes and styles are available, and many fans come with accessories such as lights and remote controls.

Equipment list:
 
· Phillips head screwdriver
· Flat head screwdriver
· Pliers
· Power screwdriver or drill with magnetic Phillips head bit
· Safety glasses


 
* All the materials you'll need, such as fan blades and arms, the fan motor, and the mounting bracket, should come with the fan. Some fans use a "speed ring," which allows you to assemble the blades on the floor, then attach them to the motor after it has been installed on the ceiling.
 
* Before you select a fan, be sure the room has enough space. The easiest way to install a fan is by replacing an existing light fixture.
 
Remove the existing light fixture

  1. Be sure the power is off at the circuit breaker box.
  2. Remove the existing light fixture and disconnect the wiring.
  3. Make sure the electrical box is mounted securely. It should be firmly attached to a wooden or metal frame. Kits are available to add additional support if you aren't able to access the electrical box easily.

Install the fan

  1. Attach the fan canopy to the fan motor housing by screwing the mounting ring in place. If you have high ceilings, you may also want to attach a hanger pipe.

  2. Remove the old support brace from the electrical box and fasten the new mounting bracket.
  3. Hang the assembled motor unit from the two hooks on the mounting bracket.
  4. Reconnect the wires, starting with the ground wire. Then attach the two white wires together and the two black wires together.

  5. Tuck the wires inside the canopy and secure the canopy to the mounting bracket.
  6. Fasten each blade to the speed ring, then attach the assembled ring to the motor unit using rubber grommets and fastening screws.
  7. Attach the cover over the speed ring and install the decorative cover plate.

Add a light to the ceiling fan

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problem: You had to replace the light fixture to install your ceiling fan. Although you like the fan, you miss the light.
 
Solution: You can attach a light kit to most new ceiling fans. That way, you can have the best of both worlds.
 
Equipment list:
 
· Wire strippers
· Circuit tester
· Screwdriver

  • Some homes are pre-wired to accommodate both a ceiling fan and a light switch. If your house is not wired for both, you can use the switch to control the light and the pull chain to control the fan speed.
  1. Shut off power at the breaker box.
  2. Remove the cover on the bottom of the fan switch housing.
  3. Replace the cover plate screws. You will use these to hang the light kit, so don't tighten the screws all the way.
  4. Locate the wires marked for lights, remove the wire nuts and check with the circuit tester to make sure the power is off. No light on the tester means the power is off.
  5. Prepare the light kit by removing the cover from the bottom.
  6. Connect the white and black wires on the light kit to the wires from the fan and secure the connections with wire nuts. Connect white to white and black to black.
  7. Attach the light kit to the screws on the fan switch housing and tighten the screws.
  8. Reattach the bottom cover on the light kit.
  9. Attach the rubber bands (included with the light kit) around the base of the globes and fasten the globes in place. The rubber bands will keep the globes from rattling when the fan is running.
  10. Install the light bulbs and turn on the power at the breaker box.

Fan Control

Problem: Ceiling fan speed control cords are often troublesome, and the speed of the fan can be difficult to determine.
 
Solution: You can easily install a wall switch to control the speed of your ceiling fan.

Equipment list:
 
· Medium size flat-head screwdriver
· Needle-nose pliers
· Circuit tester
· Wire nuts
 
The fan control switch looks similar to a dimmer switch, but don't be fooled! A standard dimmer switch will burn out if used to control a fan.
 
You must have two switches to control your ceiling fan: one to control the lights and one to control the fan motor.
 
Prepare the fan for installing the switch

  1. Turn the fan motor on, and set the fan to its highest speed.

Connect the fan control switch

  1. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker.

     

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