A ceiling fan is an efficient and inexpensive way to cool the home. When temperatures are rising outside but a few rooms seem to always run hotter than the rest of the home, turning on the ceiling fan is a great option.
During the summer, the fan draws hot air up and brings cool air down. During cold months, ceiling fans do the opposite — cool air is drawn up and warm air is brought down.
Equipment & Tools For Ceiling Fan Installation
If you’d like to install a ceiling fan, be sure to have the following equipment and tools on hand:
- 6-foot ladder
- Cordless drill with Phillips and flat-head screwdriver bits
- Voltage tester
- 7/8-inch wrench
- 4-inch hole saw
- Stud finder
- Wire stripper
- Ceiling fan kit
- Dust mask
- Safety glasses
- 4-inch round ceiling box cover
- Retrofit ceiling fan brace
Installing The Ceiling Fan
If you have a functional ceiling light, the project is much easier. If you don’t, then you’ll need to hire a professional electrician to run an electrical cable to the center of the ceiling.
- Turn off the circuit breaker to the room.
- Place the ladder under the light and remove the shade, bulbs, and light fixture.
- Use a voltage tester to make sure no wires are live.
- Untwist the plastic wire nuts and pigtails.
- Wear eye protection and a dust mask before you drill a hole centered between two studs.
- Remove insulation and debris in the ceiling behind the drywall.
- Insert the brace and turn it by hand.
- Install the four-inch round cover plate over the box.
- Install the mounting bracket on the electrical box and slide the bulk of the ceiling fan onto the bracket.
- Attach the fan canopy to the fan motor assembly.
- Slide the fan motor assembly onto the mounting bracket.
- Use a wire stripper to expose wire ends and twist them together with the wire nuts.
- Screw the fan canopy into place using decorative screws from the kit.
- Attach the ceiling fan blades to the mount and then attach both to the ceiling fan.
- Attach the light bulbs and light shade.
- Turn on the circuit breaker and test the ceiling fan.
If you have any questions about ceiling fan installation or for professional electrical service, call Blue Apple to schedule an appointment.