Basic Ceiling Fan Installation Tips
A ceiling fan is a great addition to any home. During the warm months, it provides a refreshing breeze that helps to cool a room.
In the colder months, a ceiling fan operating at the lowest setting helps to circulate the warm air that goes up. As we all know, hot air rises and a ceiling fan helps to bring it back down.
Besides its functionality, a ceiling fan is a nice decoration for a home, especially with the wide range of materials, colors and light kits that are available. If you want to install a ceiling fan in your home, this guide will help you to do it properly.
Getting Started With Your Ceiling Fan Installation
The first thing is to decide on where you want the ceiling fan to be installed. The center of the room is the place where a fan is normally installed, and it usually replaces a central light fixture. The center of the room will provide a smooth air flow to the rest of the room.
A new fan uses about the same amount of power as a roof light fixture, so the electrical circuit supplying power should not get overloaded.
However, if your fan has lights as well, you need to ensure that the circuit can handle the load. If it can’t, you need to run a new line with a new circuit breaker.
If you don’t have a central ceiling fixture, you need to create one by providing electrical power to it. You can easily tap into an existing circuit for this.
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Install your ceiling fan at the right height
1. Check the floor-to-roof height of the rotor blades.
2. Measure the floor-to-ceiling distance and subtract the length of the fan that will hang below the roof to the low blade surface.
3. The minimum height recommended is 7 feet.
4. If the distance from the ground to the ceiling is insufficient, look for a minimal ceiling mount for the fan.
5. Some fan models allow you to raise the fan blade level by as much as 10 inches.
6. You need to have at least 12 inches between your threshold and the top of the fan blades to ensure proper airflow.
7. In case you have space, 18 inches works best
Before you start installing your new ceiling fan, it’s essential to switch off the power. You can’t start work until the power to the light fixture’s circuit breaker or fuse is turned off.
This is when you should remove the light fixture. Be sure you’ve read all the installation instructions and electric safety tips before starting as well. This can mean the difference between a smooth installation and one that requires a trip to your local emergency room.
The last thing you need to do is to install the blades and cover. The product manual may have specific instructions on this.
Test the fan by turning the power on. If the fan does not function, or if it wobbles, you may have to check the parts and connections again.