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How to Install a Ceiling Fan
Before starting the fan installation process, we highly recommend making sure that you select the perfect fan for your room, otherwise, you will have insufficient airflow and loud irritating noise. Some of the factors that need to be considered are room size, ceiling height, location, style, control options, and airflow. We will briefly discuss just 2 of the important ones and will jump right into the installation process.
Fan size
Bigger is always better! Well, it’s true when it comes to a fan’s size but only if the room itself is big too. If you install a very big fan in a relatively small room, you will end up with a strange whizzing sound, a fan that overpowers the visuals and consumes more energy. Experts recommend a 53-inch fan for a 300 square room and 2 fans for any room that is larger than that. Also, the ideal distance between the ceiling fan (fan blades) and the ground should be around 8 feet.
Control Options
You can get a Wall control, Pull Control, or a remote control. The Pull control is ideal for a room with low ceiling height. The wall controls give you a very convenient option that can be used in rooms of all sizes. The remote control option is a more technologically advanced option that might require an expert, especially if you want to install the fan outside.
Once you have chosen the ideal fan for your room, you can start to install it with the below-mentioned steps. For a seamless installation, we recommend you arrange at least a screwdriver, power drill, drill bits, wrench, and ladder. Let’s discuss how to install a ceiling fan.
Turn Off The Power
Safety first! Make sure that you have turned off the power to the room that you are going to work in. If you miss this step, you are putting yourself at a high risk of getting electrocuted. Also, it’s recommended to involve your partner or any other family member in the process. They can make sure that no one accidentally turns on the power while you are working on the fan.
Remove The Old Fan
If you don’t have an old fan, then you can skip this part. If you have an old fan, use a screwdriver or other appropriate equipment to loosen the screws for the old fitting. Removing a fan can be dangerous as it’s heavy and if done without fouls. Carefully place the fan on the floor and then unscrew any other bolts that you see. Remove the old fitting of the fan, including the casing, and down rod. Detach any wires that were previously attached. Now you should be left with a clear ceiling where you can install the new fan.
Clear The Room Of Any Sharp/Dangerous Object
Balancing the fan’s weight on a ladder is dangerous and can result in falls. While this alone is dangerous it can be more severe if you fall on a sharp and hard object like a glass table or a wooden chair. We recommend clearing out the room and making sure no such object is there, including the older hardware that you just removed. Again, getting help from someone to hold the ladder for you will increase safety.
Mounting Brackets & Junction Box
Once you have secured the surroundings, and the ladder, you can start to install the mount and junction box. To do that, insert the brace into the ceiling hole and keep twisting it until it’s properly tightened and braced. Make sure that it’s placed with the ceiling joist. Once done, you can attach the U-bolt bracket in the center bolt that is facing outside. Again, ensure proper and firm placement without any movement between them.
Carefully bring the junction box, attach the wires, and screw the bolts on each side. Line the mounting bracket with the box and take the wires from the center. Screw the bolts until they are fully tightened. That’s it! Before proceeding with the next step, we recommend double-checking every bolt, and component because these are the things that will be holding the fan up there. A single loose fitting can result in the fan falling unexpectedly.
Downrod Installation
Install the downrod and make sure that it aligns perfectly with the ceiling above. There should be no tilting or angling of the fan. If it’s not aligned, make adjustments and recheck all the fittings. Do not proceed with the installation if you are not able to install it without any tilt or angling as if you install it in this manner, it can lead to expensive repairs or even injuries.
Without an optimal angle, it will get unbalanced when turned on. If despite all the attempts, you are still not able to get it perfect, you can always get expert help. But if you have done it, you can proceed without any worry.
Installing The Ceiling Fan
The hard part is done. Just install the fan and attach all the wires correctly. Place these wires, gently into the casing and avoid tangling them into each other. The fan can be heavy depending on the model and we recommend someone to hold the ladder for you. Also, you can get on top of the ladder and then ask the person helping you to lift the fan to you. It’s safer as the person below has a far more stable ground to lift the heavyweight.
Adding The Fan Blades
For this step, you will have to check the manual that came with your fan. The installation process for the fan blades can vary depending on the model. Normally, it requires a simple screwing of the bolts or putting the inbuilt brackets. If you have come so far with the installation, then it’s a fairly simple process for you. Congrats, you are done with the installation.
Conclusion
Once you have successfully installed it, we recommend to give it a test. Don’t put all your tools and equipment just yet. Turn on the power and run it on different speed settings. Look for any tilting movement or sounds that you think are not normal. If you don’t notice anything thing unusual, then it should be safe for you. If you are still suspicious about anything, we recommend getting a professional to help you with your ceiling fan installation. They might just do some tweaks here and there to fix it. This will ensure maximum safety and performance for your new fan and will result in a comfortable environment.
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About us
At Todd Peters Electric Services, we understand electricity’s critical role in your everyday life. Our team of highly skilled and certified electricians is dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient solutions.