How To Build It

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT DIY-ERS AND CRAFT ENTHUSIASTS

How to Install Your Own Ceiling Fan

Dressing up an old room with a ceiling fan is a great route to go.  Ceiling fans can also help save on your utilities.

How to Install Your Own Ceiling Fan

For starters you need to hang a metal outlet box from the ceiling, this metal outlet box needs to be able to support the entire weight of the fan.  This can be around 50 lbs. with certain fans. To do this, put a 2×4 across the ceiling joist and nailing that in place, the outlet box can be attached to the 2×4.

If you do not have that kind of access you will have to use a hanger bar specifically made for ceiling fans, and the box can be supported by the hanger bar.

Dressing up an old room with a ceiling fan is a great route to go.  Ceiling fans can also help save on your utilities.

For starters you need to hang a metal outlet box from the ceiling, this metal outlet box needs to be able to support the entire weight of the fan.  This can be around 50 lbs. with certain fans. To do this, put a 2×4 across the ceiling joist and nailing that in place, the outlet box can be attached to the 2×4.

If you do not have that kind of access you will have to use a hanger bar specifically made for ceiling fans, and the box can be supported by the hanger bar.

Many of the fans now come with a remote so if you do not have a separate switch for the fan and light do not worry, the remotes can make that easy to control from the ground.

Once the Outlet box is ready you can then install the hanger bracket and down-rod per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

ceiling fan in old photo isolated on white background

Shoot for the fan to hang somewhere around 8-9 feet from the ground.  If the ceiling is lower you will need to have a flush mount fan that does not utilize a down-rod.

From there all you need to do is assemble the fan per the manufacturer’s instructions and connect to the down-rod.

To choose the right size fan keep in mind that the larger the room the larger the fan should be.  12’ wide and under I would use a 36” fan.  If the room is between 12’-15’ use a 42” fan.  And if the room is larger than 15’ wide use a 52” or larger fan.

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