ideas: analysis: Swap Out Your Boring Light Fixtures for Stylish Ceiling Fans

Prep for the swap

Notes:

• You can connect your new ceiling fan to the same wiring your light fixture uses, so you don’t need to hire an electrician unless you don’t already have wiring where you want to install your fan.
• You’ll need to measure your room before you buy a new ceiling fan — you can buy small ceiling fans of 29 inches to 36 inches for rooms under 75 square feet, or larger fans for larger rooms:

  • ROOM SIZE / FAN SIZE:

  • (room) 76 to 144 square feet  /  (fan) 36 to 42 inches
  • FIND: 37-45 inch ceiling fan
  • (room) 145 to 224 square feet  /  (fan) 44 to 50 inches
  • FIND: 46-50 inch ceiling fan
  • (room) 225 to 400 square feet  /  (fan) 50 to 54 inches inches
  • FIND: 51-55 inch ceiling fan
  • (room) 400 square feet or larger  /  (fan) 60 inches or larger inches
  • FIND: 56-65 inch ceiling fan
    FIND: 66 and up inch ceiling fan
• You’ll also need a fan-rated pancake electric box for your new fan installation because ceiling fans are heavy and require heavy-duty mounting equipment. Similarly, plan to install a fan mounting brace in your ceiling.
• FIND: electric box
  FIND: fan mounting brace
• If you can access the area between your joists from above, as from an attic, you can screw a length of two-by-four lumber between the joists using two- or three-inch deck screws. If you can’t access the joists from above, use an expanding metal fan brace instead.
• YOUTUBE: how in install a fan mounting brace
  FIND: step ladder
• Before you start working with the wiring in your home, cut power to the circuit at the breaker box. Double-check the circuit by flipping the light switch in the room, and keep the switches in both locations turned to the off position while you work.
• INFO: How to Turn Off Your Home’s Electricity
  FIND: electric circuit tester

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Remove the old light fixture

Notes:

• When you have your fan, electrical box, and bracing equipment, you can remove the old light fixture.
• Disconnect the wiring to the fixture and remove the central mounting nut and any screws holding the light fixture and mounting hardware in place. Pry the light electrical fixture off the joist.
• QUESTION?
  How to Remove a Light Fixture

•    some electrical supplies to consider      

  electrician tool kitelectrical test kitelectrical tapeelectrical caps

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Install your new fan brace and electrical box

Notes:

• At this point, you may choose to locate your fan slightly to one side of where the light fixture was. You might do this, for example, if you wanted to fasten your ceiling fan directly to a joist instead of installing a ceiling brace.
• However, before you relocate your fan, make sure it’s still in the middle of the ceiling and that it has plenty of clearance. If you want to relocate your fan, you can install a ceiling medallion to cover the old light fixture hole.
• Install your new fan brace, and then fasten the fan-rated pancake box to it. If you’re attaching your fan to a joist, just nail the pancake box directly to the joist. Pull the wiring from your house into the new electrical box and locate the ground wire — it should be green or bare.
• Wrap the bare end of the ground wire around the green ground screw in the electrical box and let the end dangle down. Attach your fan’s mounting bracket to the electrical box.
• QUESTION?
  How to Install a Ceiling Fan Mount Bracket & Electric Box

•    some ceiling fan mounting ideas to consider      

  ceiling medallionsslope ceiling adaptorceiling fan rod extension

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Wire up your new fan

Notes:

• Your fan motor should have an installation hook that allows you to hang the fan motor assembly from the mounting bracket while you connect the wiring. Match the black wire from your house with the black wire in the fan, the white wire with the white wire, and the ground wire with the ground wire.
• Secure the wire connections with wire connectors. Attach the fan motor to the mounting bracket.
• QUESTION?
  Do It Yourself: Ceiling Fan Wiring and Installation

•    some smart ceiling fans to consider      

  smart ceiling fansremote control ceiling fansceiling fan pull chain

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Put on the finishing touches

Notes:

• You may need to wire up your fan’s light fixture, or it might just plug into the fan motor housing. Attach the fan blades to the fan and add any glass light covers, shades, or globes. Then you can put in light bulbs, restore power, and try out your new fan.
• Swapping out a light fixture for a ceiling fan is a fairly straightforward DIY job. With a few hours on a weekend afternoon, your family could enjoy a more comfortable home — without the additional cost of adjusting the thermostat.
• QUESTION?
  How to Replace Ceiling Fan Blades

•    some ceiling fan parts to consider      

  ceililng fan bladesceiling fan blade armsceiling fan balancing kit

• What comments can you share about
  your selection and installation of a ceiling fan