A quiet, elegant ceiling fan can add year-round beauty and com fort to any space. It cools in the summer by pushing air toward the floor, arid a reverse feature warms in the winter by pushing warm air off the ceiling, along the walls and back toward the floor. You can mount ceiling fans to either flat or sloped ceilings. If your room has a flat ceiling, keep in mind that the blades should be no less than 7 ft. (2.15 m) from the floor. To shorten the overall fan depth, ceiling-hugging kits are available for some fans. For a sloped-ceiling installation, consult a fan expert to calculate the downrod length you’ll need for the room. New, properly installed ceiling fans run quietly with minimal wobble; most new fans include a balancing kit to help correct any problems. |
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Key Installation Steps Begin by turning off the power and removing the old fixture. Test all the wires and knock the old electrical box free of the framing by using a block of wood against the inside of the box. It’s okay to leave the old box in the ceiling cavity.  1. Slip a fan brace through the hole, set the appropriate box depth and secure brace against the framework by twisting. Feed existing wire into fan box, secure with cable clamp, then fasten the box to the brace with saddle strap. 2 Secure hanger bracket to box. Connect down rod and canopy to motor and set motor assembly in bracket. Make wiring connections based on manufacturer’s instructions and local codes. 3. Install blades and blade brackets on the fan motor. If necessary, connect the remote-control kit to light- kit housing and attach the light kit to the motor. Turn on power and test the fan. |
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Fan Support
Most local codes require ceiling fans to be mounted to a fan-rated brace and box. Buy a fan brace and box when you purchase your fan. If the framing is accessible from the attic, choose a brace that fastens with screws. Otherwise, pick a brace that’s designed to slip through the hole left by the removal of the old electrical box. These braces expand to fit between the framing members in your ceiling; you just rotate the shaft to anchor them.
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Thomas Lighting T96 Fan
Shopping Smart: Selecting a Fan -- It’s a Breeze
With a host of ceiling fan options available, it pays to do your homework before you shop. In general, avoid inexpensive bargain models and begin searching in the moderately priced category. These fans are more efficient at moving air and tend to have quiet, durable motors. Pay attention to blade size, blade pitch and motor quality.
A fan that’s mounted close to the ceiling needs a steeper blade pitch and a tough motor to work well. A remote-control option can be added to most fans, if it’s not already installed, and light kits are relatively inter changeable. If you’re installing the fan in a damp area, select a damp-rated or wet-rated fan. Make certain speed control switches are designed for fans, not lights.