Your house is hot. You don’t have air conditioning and really don’t want to die of a heat stroke, so you’ve elected to buy a ceiling fan. You want to find a fan that works and get it up and running stat, but aren’t quite sure where to begin.
How much will it cost me?
According to HomeAdvisor.com’s True Cost Guide, most homeowners spend between $143-$351 on fan installation alone across the United States. Quality ceiling fans themselves typically cost between $200-$800, so this is certainly an investment you want to make sure is properly cared for. If you’re on a strict budget and don’t trust yourself, consider a simpler model of fan and use the extra cash to hire some help.
How long will it take?
Ceiling fan installation typically takes between 2-4 hours. Certain fans may take longer to assemble and you may have some extra wiring or adjusting to do. Your best bet is to clear out your morning, so you can use the natural light when your electricity is off. It’s a good idea to install your ceiling fan while the kids are at school or your roommate is out, so the environment is calm and the lack of power won’t be a big deal.
What do I need?
While Installing a ceiling fan can be done by one person, it’s much safer to have another set of hands as backup to manage the multitude of bulky items involved. In addition to your handy dandy helper, you will need the following tools and materials:
Tools
- Ladder
- Circuit Tester / Voltage Detector
- Wire Cutters / Strippers
- Adjustable Wrench
- Pliers (so you can work with the wires while wearing work gloves)
- Screwdriver(s)
- Eye Protection (to protect your eyes from any falling drywall dust or insulation)
- Work Gloves
Materials
- Ceiling Fan
- Electrical Tape
- Light Bulbs (choosing energy efficient light bulbs will help you trim your electric bill)
- Wall Switch (make sure you have the right switch if you plan to control your fan with it!)
Materials (potentially included with fan)
- Ceiling Fan Light Kit
- Downrod (often used on vaulted or slanted ceilings to distance fan from ceiling)
- Mounting Hardware, sometimes referred to as a “Pancake Box”
- Wire Connectors
- Ceiling Fan Electrical Box (if old box needs replacing)
What kind of fan should I buy?
If you’ve yet to purchase a ceiling fan, there are many things to consider. For example, some fans are more powerful than others at cooling down a room, while others work better for circulating air. The directionality of the fan blades plays a significant role in this; if you want air circulated, but no cooling effect, buy a fan with the blades angled upwards. If you’re looking to cool down a room, you want the blades angled down to push the air down in that direction.
If you’re skeptical about finding a functional fan that also meets your aesthetic wishes, don’t be. It’s totally possible to find a functional fan that also looks nice. For example, Casablanca ceiling fans are a great modern option to enhance your home’s look and still keep your family comfortable.
You can also check Hampton Bay ceiling fan reviews for more inspiration.
Can I even install it by myself?
Heck yes, you can! While some people may find it easier to just pay somebody to do the work for them, others may want to do the work themselves. This handy how-to guide is a great place to start if you’re planning to do the work yourself, or simply unsure of whether or not you want to embrace your inner amateur electrician.
If you’re unsure about taking on this project, ask for help. You’ll be much better in the long run investing in assistance now, rather than paying for it further down the road when there may be a bigger problem.
