how to replace the ceiling fan

It is imperative that you don’t mix the hot and neutral wires. This article has been viewed 129,258 times. Before we look at the common ceiling fan repair problems, we should probably know a little bit more about the device we are inspecting.Ceiling fans may seem like just blades, lights, and a motor, but there is actually a lot going on underneath the hood. Home Improvement Specialist. A high-end fan with more features and … Others just require them if you're moving from a light to a ceiling fan. Internal on/off switch for a ceiling fan light. Some people install the blades while the fan is still on the ground. Carefully strip each of the wires so that the bare wire is exposed anywhere from ½ to ¾-inch in length. Be sure all of the mounting screws are tight; loose … It's best to check ahead of time to see if you need to get a permit. ), link to How To Harvest Mint Leaves (Do It This Way To Keep It Growing! If you discover your Ceiling Fan system is no longer functioning as it should, the professionals at Alberta's Custom Electrical Services can help you determine whether repair or replacement is your best option. So, here we are now, with a tale of a July ceiling fan replacement. When you are confident that everything is where it should be, turn on the circuit breaker to that room and give the light switch a test. We want to help you find the best solution for your needs and within your budget. You may also be able to look the information up online. Pay particular attention to … Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. But older homes can have outdated ceiling fans that stand in stark, negative contrast to the rest of a particular design aesthetic. Twist the bare ends of the black wires together; these are your “hot” wires. To lessen the weight of the fan, you will have to remove the individual ceiling fan blades. How do I remove the light shade from my ceiling fan? Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. link to What Is A Wet Bar In A Home? What's the difference between a light-rated and fan-rated junction box? Once the downrod is secure, lift your fan up to the bracket and slide the ball at the top into place. Unscrew the screws where the light fixture attaches to the fan assembly. Screw these in tightly, as a loose bracket could make your fan wobble. The installation hook comes built directly into the ceiling mounting and takes the weight while you handle things like wiring or dealing with screws. Grown in the balmy Mediterranean to tropical Vietnam to the Washington valleys, mint is a staple in world... How Much Should I Pay for Ceiling Fan Installation. Use a screwdriver to remove a single fan blade. References. To fix and replace a bad on/off light switch inside the ceiling fan: Remove the light fixture housing from the fan. Not only that, some fixtures may not come with a ground wire but a green screw instead. Locate the wires and disconnect them by removing the wire nuts. Last Updated: November 4, 2020 What kind of ladder is best to use when changing out a ceiling fan and what tools are needed? Step 3: Remove the Canopy. Contact your city permit office for more information. Thankfully, most modern ceiling fans come with an installation hook. Even if you can install a heavy ceiling fan on your own, it may not be the best idea as there is a risk of dropping the fan and either breaking it, injuring yourself, or both. 4. The number one reason that people take on DIY projects is due to cost. This will give you the proper size for replacing ceiling fan blades. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Remove the old switch. Be sure to shut off the power to that circuit at the breaker box before you begin. Exhaust and ceiling fans are estimated to typically last for a maximum of 10 years while air conditioners last for 8 to 15 years. You may also need to attach the ball mount, though some may have this attached already. From there, you can turn off the power by turning off the circuit breaker at the main breaker box. It should have a weight rating stamped on it. Depending on the complexity of the job, you might need someone to hold the fan as you work. How To Remove A Ceiling Fan (And Replace It With A Light Fixture) Step 1: Turn Off the Breaker. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. A ceiling fan must be mounted to an outlet box rated for fan use—typically, capable of supporting 50 lb.—which is securely mounted to a ceiling joist or beam. Depending on the project at hand, taking on a project yourself can mean major savings. Determine which make and model ceiling fan you have. Choosing Your Replacement Fan. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Changing the fan can be a little intimidating, but you're up to the challenge if you just go step by step and be sure to read the directions that come with your new fan. What Is A Wet Bar In A Home? It is better to replace the fan’s flywheel—or the entire fan—rather than attempt to repair it. If the new fan's housing is larger than the hole cut in your ceiling … Cheers! Remove the switch housing cover plate from the fan, and remove the plug from the center of the plate. Feed the light kit wires from the light kit through the hole in the cover plate, and screw the plate tightly to … Make sure you read the instructions for your particular fan. Start by mounting the screws onto the bracket and leaving them just a little longer to mount the light base; you can tighten them later. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Expert Interview. With something like a ceiling fan installation, you may be better off paying a pro. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 129,258 times. When you're done, tuck the wires up into the brace above. You need that cool breeze on those balmy summer days, so it's up to you to switch out your fan for a better option. Not only will you not have to worry about doing it incorrectly, but you can relax while a knowledgeable professional does the job. Hang one edge of the canopy up to work on the wires. As is the case with the wire nuts, avoid over-tightening. Most fan blades attach via two screws near the motor and fan housing. Screw a wire nut over each of the twisted wire bare ends. Next, feed the wires from the fan through the canopy and downrod before screwing the downrod in position. If you've already removed your old ceiling fan and are ready to replace it, start by pulling the wires from the brace through the bracket and clipping the bracket into place on the bolts. ). Test each wire in the electrical box by holding a noncontact meter again them. Before moving on to the next step, open up the packaging on the new light fixture. If this is the case, you can connect the ground wire to that green screw. Otherwise, you may risk a wobbly fan. A stepladder is usually adequate, though make sure you can reach the top bracket of your fan without reaching far above your head and also not stepping on the last two steps of the ladder. If all power to the ceiling fan is disconnected then the light on the noncontact meter should not light up. Those screws are called the mounting screws. It is helpful to take out the instructions and read them as well. You can now remove the old ceiling fan entirely before moving on to the next step. Read the directions for your particular tester to see what indicators it uses. Remove the screws that hold the ceiling fan canopy to the ceiling to expose the wires. A light-rated junction box is only made to hold the weight of a light fixture, while a fan-rated junction box is made to hold the heavier weight of a ceiling fan. The mounting bracket is smaller than the new fans. Some cities require permits when you are changing out ceiling fans. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. The next step is to pull the wires out of the electrical box. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. In order to turn off the power to the breaker, you will have to go to the breaker. This article was co-authored by Allen Lee. As is the case with any appliance or fixture that has an electrical current, you will need to cut the power off to the room. The instructions should shed some light on any potential mounting instructions that you will need to be aware of. With the wires properly paired up with one another, all that is left to do with them is cover them and tuck them away. Remove the screws with a screwdriver. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The short answer to this question is “maybe”. Installation is generally between $50 and $75 per hour and will take between 1 and 2 hours. Aside from the cost of parts, there are no other fees required. % of people told us that this article helped them. Always make sure the junction is rated to hold the weight of your new ceiling fan. 13 Ways to Upgrade Your Boring Ceiling Fan on a Budget Instead of spending money on a new one, these are easy - and they'll have a HUGE impact! All that’s left to do is install the bulbs and then place the shade or light cover over the top. After pulling the wires out, you will need to unscrew the wire nuts and then pull the wires apart. It is important that you don’t tighten the new mounting bracket entirely right now. Use a circuit tester to verify that the power is off. It can give the room an entirely new look and can use the wiring and electrical box that the much heavier ceiling fan used. Attach a blade mounting bracket to each fan blade and then attach these brackets to the rotating bezel below the fan motor. Many flush mounted ceiling fans require removal of the light kit to be able to access the screws that attach the fan to the ceiling. By using our site, you agree to our. The wires have now been connected and tucked away neatly, so it’s time to put the base of the new fixture into place. Before beginning, disconnect power to the outlet box by turning off the circuit breaker or removing the fuse that controls it. The receiver acts like a “motor controller,” and manages the light and fan functions of a DC powered fan. With the wires out and the old mounting bracket removed, it’s time to install the new one to your electrical box. For quality, reliable ceiling fan replacement, or repair, give us a call at (866) 238-3243, or contact Hoffman Electrical & A/C online. When parts and labor are combined together, that cost comes out to somewhere between $150 and $350 all in. At the top of the fan, there are usually a couple of screws. Remove the nails holding the existing … The base of the fixture should be neither loose nor easily turned by hand. Even if you have turned the breaker off, this next part is important. Don’t ever touch live wires. You are doing this to ensure that the wires are not live. Allen Lee is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Honest Lee Handyman Services, a licensed and insured handyman business servicing Sacramento, California, and surrounding areas. You run the risk of the entire fixture coming down when there is too much weight. Then unscrew the fan housing and remove it to replace the motor. Ceiling fans can be a great way to provide both light and air circulation to a given room. I'm picky about sealing any holes or gaps around the electrical box housing so I also have drywall compound, primer/paint, and caulking on hand as well. Of course, you have to be strong enough to put the fan up onto the hook first, but after that, it is relatively easy. If the wires of the new fixture aren’t white and black, refer to the manual. If the wires are live, the tester will light up and chirp. When this part is done, lift the fixture up close to the electrical box to make the wire connections. If your ceiling fan is wired for both the fan and lights, there will be two wires leading to the light fixture. If you’re looking to install a ceiling fan, it is important to know if the ceiling box is capable of supporting that weight. The small switch where the pull chain attaches should now be visible. We are only interested in selling you what you need. The National Electric Code requires that any fan over 35 pounds be supported with the use of an outlet box or outlet box system that has been listed for ceiling fan support. Follow that up by twisting the white (neutral) wires together and then finishing up by twisting the bare copper ground wires. If the fan is not working properly, it may be time to replace the receiver. Use the screws that come with the new fan, and secure it into the holes on the electrical box. Turn Off the Power. You may need a helper to support … But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. When you over-tighten these wire nuts it can strip them, loosening the connection. Adding some new appliances and/or redesigning some rooms stand out as great ideas. Bring the wires from the ceiling through the center hole. Step 2: Removing the Fan Blades. With a voltage tester handy, touch the wires to the blade of the voltage test. Turn off all power to the ceiling fan at the mains. There are 31 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The average cost to install or replace a ceiling fan is around $75 for a mid-range 52″ fan with lights and DIY installation. The screws will likely be near the ceiling. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Replace-a-Ceiling-Fan-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Replace-a-Ceiling-Fan-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Replace-a-Ceiling-Fan-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid386393-v4-728px-Replace-a-Ceiling-Fan-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"