Do It Yourself – 10 Step Ceiling Fan Installation Instructions
- Before you remove the existing fixture, turn off the power to the circuit breaker or fuse. If there is no existing fixture, snap chalk lines diagonally across the room to find its center.
- If you need to install a junction box, cut a hole big enough for the box. Make sure to use a metal, not plastic, box. Screw it to a ceiling joist if possible. If not, install it between the joists and fasten it to a 2” by 4” header nailed to the joists. Patch the hole.
- If your ceiling is beamed, install a beam mount. Mounts are available for horizontal and pitched beams.
- Check the mount thoroughly. Remember that the fan will vibrate slightly, so your mount must be strong enough to withstand the movement. If your fan is particularly heavy, you may want to attach it to the building structure.
- Assemble the fan, following the instructions provided with your model. If the blades will be extremely close to the ceiling, you may want to install the blades before you hang it.
- Fit the hanger pipe into the hole on top of the motor. Draw the wires up through the pipe. Screw the pipe into place. If your unit has a motor hub, place the housing over the hub.
- Attach the fan blades by screwing them into the flanges. You may need to mount the flanges on the motor housing first.
- Install the hanger bracket onto the box using lock washers and screws. You may need to purchase lock washers if they are not provided with your unit.
- Wire the unit by connecting the black wires together and the white wires together. Put on the ceiling cover. Ground the fan to the box and to itself using green or copper wiring. Wirenut the wires from the fan, box, and power supply together.
- Test the fan. If it wobbles, the blades might be unbalanced. Switch two of the blades to see if that corrects the problem. If it doesn’t, take all of the blades off and weigh them to see if any are underweight. Underweight blades can be fixed by taping a small object to the top of the blade or using a fan balancing kit.
Ceiling Fan Installation Tips
- Any good ceiling fan should come with complete ceiling mounting instructions and hardware.
- Although installation instructions and techniques vary by manufacturer and model, hanging a fan is very similar to mounting a new light fixture.
- Almost any fan will require assembly and should be structurally sound for safety; the junction box must be labeled as suitable for use with a ceiling fan. Special ceiling fan supports and junction boxes are easy to find in home centers.
- Typically, a ceiling fan will be mounted in a ceiling junction box; if you already have a light fixture in the ceiling, installation will be much easier. Otherwise, you will need to run electrical wiring as needed to power the ceiling fan and run down a wall for a wall mounted control.
- If you can’t wire your ceiling fan for wall control, be sure your unit has an old-fashioned pull chain and/or a remote control.
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