Why are you thinking about wiring a ceiling fan? Is the old one ugly? Is it not working? You need something to do? Ceiling fans are great, they keep the air moving. They add to the decor. Replacing a ceiling fan or adding one to replace another fixture is common. Your ceiling fan may be broken, noisy or in general not working properly.
Not sure if you need to replace your ceiling fan? See the article 'Troubleshooting Ceiling Fan Problems' for a listing of possible repairs that could get your existing fan working again.
After attempting to repair it you have decided that a new one is the way to go. Got your spouse involved? Looks like a shopping trip. You will now find that wiring a ceiling fan is the easy part. Picking one out, now that is tough.
Read the information below and check out the evaluations to see if this is something you want to tackle. The hardest part is getting it up there. They are kind of heavy. Most of the newer ones, especially the better quality ones have a hook arrangement that makes the job a lot easier.
Wiring a Ceiling Fan - Information
What Can You Save?
Well you have to buy the fan. Got that cost no matter what you do. Assuming the box in the ceiling is suitable for a ceiling fan it is about an hour project. Conservative cost for an electrician would be $60 to $85. Could be more for a high end unit or where extra backing needs to be added.
How Hard Could It Be?
Wiring a ceiling fan can be a little bit of work. I mentioned the heavy part already. Makes it a little more difficult than putting up a hall light.
Check the Simple Things!
If you got here you probably tried every simple thing. Breakers, switches, weighting the blades and so on. If not go back to the article on Ceiling Fan Troubleshooting for more information.
What Can Go Wrong?
Dropping the heavy ceiling fan will not do it much good. Get a helper, just a few critical lifts that you need help for. The box in the ceiling needs to be able to support the weight. Make sure it is adequately supported before you hang it. Boom, could be the outcome otherwise.
Installing a Ceiling Fan – The Steps Involved
When you replace your ceiling fan, you will need to remove the old one. The article 'Removing a Ceiling Fan' provides instructions and information on safely taking down and old fan.
Wiring a ceiling fan is not too difficult. However, there are multiple configurations for hooking up the wires. One big factor is whether you are controlling the light and the fan separately from the switch. See the article, 'Ceiling Fan Wiring Diagrams', for information and instructions.
Newer fans have better mounting brackets for installing the fan. One new development for many fans is a hanging hook that supports the fan while the wires are hooked up. The article 'Installing Ceiling Fan Mounting Brackets' discusses how to install the fan safely.
An important last step in installing a ceiling fan is making sure that it is balanced. A poorly balanced fan can wobble and be noisy. See the article 'Balancing a Ceiling Fan' for information.
Summary
As a rule you are left with the wiring that is already in your home when it comes to a ceiling fan. In newer houses you may have options for switching. Most of us have to rely on the pull chains to change the function of the fan.
It is too bad that your old ceiling fan gave up and left you. Look on the bright side, you now have a new ceiling fan. Better looking, great air flow, quiet, life is good. This job was not that hard, especially if you got a little help at some critical points.