Electrical & Electric

How to Install Ceiling Fan with Light Assembly

Installing a Ceiling Fan

Introduction:

A ceiling fan can be a welcome addition to any room. It allows for a more comfortable atmosphere during any season, summer or winter. During the winter months it can bring heat down from the ceiling where it tends to stay. During the summer a ceiling fan can circulate the cool air from outside or from air conditioning. And with a light on it it can light your room much better than table or floor lamps.

A ceiling fan will reduce electric bills in the summer and help disperse the warm air more evenly in the winter.

Install a new ceiling fan and light assembly:

1.  Turn the circuit breaker off that powers the light. Insure you got the right one by turning the light switch off and on.  

2.  Place a ladder where you can easily access the existing light fixture. Disassemble the existing light and remove it. Screw wire nuts on the wires hanging out of the ceiling.

3.  Because a ceiling fan has a heavy motor you will have to install a support system. Most ceiling fans come with ceiling fan hanger brackets to support the weight of the fan.

4.    Remove the existing fixture box if it is not a steel support box. Depending on the type and size of the previous box you may have to cut some additional drywall to allow for the new box to fit. Trace the outline of the new box around the perimeter of the new box and cut the sheetrock with a drywall saw.

5.  Position the hanging support rod up through the hole so that the triangles on each end are laying directly on the drywall and extend the bracket between the ceiling joists.  

6.  Using your hand, twist the bracket so that it expands until it is tight against the ceiling joist. 

7.  Slide the Romex connector over the wires and secure it over the insulation leaving approximately six inches of wire hanging from the box to hook up to the new fan wires.

8.  Remove one of the knockouts on the junction box and install a Romex connector in the hole. Fish the wires through the Romex connector and install the lock nut on the Romex connector. Insure that you have enough wire extending from the Romex connector to attach to the light fixture wiring.

9.  Install the ceiling fan's hanger bracket by screwing the bracket to the box. Install the shaft with the half-ball hanger on top of the ceiling fan. Make sure you place the canopy on the ceiling fan before installing the shaft and half-ball hanger. It won't fit over the half-ball if you forget and you'll have to take it apart to re-install it.

10.Lift the ceiling fan up and set the half-ball hanger in the bracket. Wire nut the black ceiling fan wire to the black house wire. Wire nut the white wires together and the ground wires the same way. Wrap electrical tape around the wire nuts. Tuck the wires up into the junction box and screw the canopy to the hanger bracket.

11.Attach the ceiling fan blades to their mounting arms with the screws provided. Most blades offer two different shades to choose from. Pay attention to which color you want to appear when looking at the fan.

12.After the blades are installed connect the light assembly to the ceiling fan by connecting the wiring harnesses. Screw the light assembly in place with the three screws provided. Do not crimp the wires between the fan's wiring box and the light assembly.

13.Install the decorative light shades over the sockets, holding them in place with the bolts provided. Don't over-tighten the bolts or the glass shades could crack.

14.Reset the circuit breaker. Pulling on the chain on the bottom of the fan turns the light on, and the chain on the top side of the fan controls the

       blade speed and direction. Set the fan to blow air downward in the summer and to pull air upward in the winter.

That’s all there is to it. Enjoy your new ceiling fan and lights.

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