| I assume you are a DIY and have decided that | | | | first one, make sure you check the parts you |
| putting ceiling fans in your home makes good | | | | take from the box against the listing (usually an |
| sense. You've probably researched the | | | | exploded drawing) of the parts shown in the |
| advantages of installing ceiling fans and have | | | | manufacturer's literature. Lay out the parts and |
| learned that besides the aesthetic appeal that is | | | | then check them off to make sure that you've |
| part and parcel of a ceiling fan, there are a | | | | got everything you're supposed to have. Keep |
| number of benefits that impact your wallet in a | | | | the parts away from the area where you will |
| positive way. | | | | actually install the fan to keep from creating a |
| The industry has determined that the cooling | | | | mess as you begin the actual job. |
| effect of a ceiling fan can make a room feel at | | | | Be sure you've got all the tools you need before |
| least 7 degrees cooler than it really is and the | | | | starting the job. This includes a stepladder, the |
| consequent adjustment to your thermostat can | | | | right kind of screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, |
| cut your air conditioning related energy costs by | | | | something to strip the wires with, a circuit tester, |
| as much as 35% to 45%. In the cold months, | | | | a ceiling box, a hammer and a saw to make the |
| reversing the fan blades so they push warm air | | | | opening in the drywall. It's probably a good idea to |
| down from the ceiling can reduce your heating | | | | have your toolbox handy just in case you need |
| expenses as well. Some experts maintain that | | | | something you haven't anticipated. The best way |
| you can save between 8% to 12% on your | | | | to make sure you've got everything you need is |
| heating bill. | | | | to read the installation instructions from beginning |
| So, you're sold on the idea of installing ceiling fans. | | | | to end before you do anything else. |
| The next step is to decide what brand, style, etc. | | | | If you're among the fortunate, the room will have |
| you're going to invest your money in. Do the | | | | a ceiling box that is being used for a light fixture |
| research. Find out who the major players are in | | | | already mounted in the center of the room. |
| the manufacture of ceiling fans and how long | | | | Generally, the existing ceiling box will need to be |
| they've been at it. It's not necessarily who sells | | | | replaced with one specifically designed for |
| the most ceiling fans but rather, what consumers | | | | mounting a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans weigh |
| say about the various brands. The Internet can | | | | considerably more than light fixtures and may |
| help but you have to be wary about sales pitches | | | | require additional support. If the material that |
| that are disguised as testimonials. My personal | | | | came with the fan doesn't include a new ceiling |
| preference is Westinghouse because of a | | | | box and mounting brackets, you will have to |
| multitude of factors that I'm not going to get into | | | | purchase these separately before proceeding. You |
| since this article is intended to focus more on the | | | | may need to hire an experienced, licensed |
| installation end of the ceiling fan rather than what | | | | electrician to do this part of the job if you don't |
| to buy. | | | | have the expertise yourself. The primary |
| However, before I get off the subject of what | | | | consideration is to make certain that the ceiling |
| to buy, a word or two to the wise. This is not a | | | | box provides adequate support for the weight of |
| purchase that you want to make with the idea of | | | | the ceiling fan. A brace (mounting bracket) |
| saving as much money as you can on these units. | | | | mounted between ceilings joists will provide the |
| Manufacturers of inexpensive units have become | | | | necessary support. |
| more and more clever at making their products | | | | On the other hand, if you don't have a ceiling box |
| look great. However, a ceiling fan needs to pass | | | | mounted in the center of the room, youwill need |
| the test of time and extensive use and many if | | | | to undertake the necessary renovations to run |
| not most of the cheaper units simply don't pass | | | | electricity from the closest source to the center |
| this test. Inexpensive fan casing is often made | | | | of the room. The steps required to do this are |
| from thin material that may not be of the best | | | | beyond the scope of this article and will usually |
| quality. | | | | require the services of an experienced and |
| So, after a few years, you may begin to notice | | | | licensed electrician. |
| the motor housing beginning to show signs of | | | | Most manuals that are packed with the ceiling fan |
| wear with vibrating and other noise being the | | | | will provide considerable detailregarding what it will |
| telltale signs. There's nothing you can do to fix | | | | take to adequately support the ceiling fan. |
| these problems besides investing in another fan | | | | Make sure the electricity to the room is turned |
| (throwing good money after bad). Also, cheaper | | | | off at the box (circuit breaker or fuse box). Test |
| fans often have blades that are made of inferior | | | | the wiring with a circuit tester to make sure it's |
| material which may begin to warp or go out of | | | | off. If the room has inadequate natural lighting, |
| balance. While you can do a temporary fix for this | | | | you may need to run an extension cord with a |
| kind of problem, you're going to end up with a | | | | lighting fixture fromanother part of the house to |
| chronic headache since the basic cause of the | | | | provide you with adequate visibility. |
| problem just won't go away no matter how | | | | Carefully read the installation manual and follow |
| many times you try to fix it. | | | | the step-by-step instructions forinstalling the fan. |
| Here are a few more tips to consider while you're | | | | Keep in mind that this is usually at least a |
| shopping for the right fan(s). The size of the | | | | two-person job. Even though the instructions may |
| room determines the span of the blade you | | | | not tell you this, be sure that there is sufficient |
| should be looking for. You'll find blade spans that | | | | clearance between the blades and the ceiling to |
| range between 29" to 56". The smallest blade | | | | attach the blades after installing the motor. If not, |
| span will work for a room that is no bigger than | | | | install the blades to the motor arms before |
| 50 square feet while a 36" blade span will service | | | | attaching the motor to the electrical box. |
| an area of approximately 70' to 80' square feet. | | | | It's common sense so it may not be mentioned in |
| Larger rooms, such as 100 square feet need at | | | | the manual but make sure the screws that are |
| least a 42" blade span and a room that is larger | | | | used to attach the blades are evenly tightened. |
| than 100 square feet should have a fan with the | | | | Now that your fan is installed, it's time to test its |
| longest blade span you can find. | | | | operation. Turn on the power and switch on the |
| Make sure the pitch of the blade is approximately | | | | fan. Although the manufacturer should make |
| 14 degrees for the most efficient air movement. | | | | certain that the blades are evenly weighted and |
| Many fans are equipped with lighting. Consider the | | | | that their angles are all the same, it may still |
| size of the room and what the room will be used | | | | wobble somewhat once it begins to rotate. If this |
| for when deciding whether or not to buy a fan | | | | is the case, turn the fan off and check to make |
| with lights. Most manufacturers make ceiling fans | | | | certain that the screws that attach the blades are |
| that can be adapted to lighted fixtures with a | | | | all tight. Use a yardstick held vertically at the edge |
| lighting kit designed specifically for a particular | | | | of one of the blades and manually rotate the |
| model. | | | | blades to make sure that they are in alignment. If |
| Finally, buy a ceiling fan that is reversible so that | | | | there is any misalignment, gently bend the blade |
| you can run it in one direction forcooling and in the | | | | up or down to get the blade aligned properly. |
| other direction for heating. | | | | If the wobble persists, it usually means that one |
| Keep in mind that the fan blades should be at | | | | or more of the blades weigh more or lessthan |
| least seven feet from the floor and a footbelow | | | | the others. Many manufacturers include |
| the ceiling. For lower ceilings, choose a hugger | | | | weight-balancing clips with the ceiling fans. These |
| type fan. With higher ceilings, you can purchase | | | | clips install on the top of the blade and add weight. |
| what is called a down rod for purposes of | | | | Less weight is added the closer to the motor |
| extending the fan closer to the floor. | | | | housing the clip is installed. Adjust the clip(s) until |
| Okay. It's time to get down to some of the basic | | | | the wobble stops. If weight-balancing clips were |
| issues related to getting these things up where | | | | not included, they can be purchased at a lighting |
| they belong and doing what they're designed to | | | | store, home center or at many hardware stores. |
| do. | | | | Your ceiling fan should be ready to use and should |
| You've purchased the fan(s). As you unpack the | | | | offer you years of pleasure and comfort. |