Tips & Tricks for Installing Ceiling Fans

• Always make sure the electricity is turned off at the main service panel when installing a ceiling fan. Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

  The installation of a ceiling fan is really not that difficult --- unless you need to run new wiring, in which case it may be something you want to leave to a professional electrician. The process usually goes better when you have a helper on hand. Making sure that the ceiling fan works just the way you expect it to means paying attention to some tricks of the trade that will keep you from having to perform immediate maintenance work.

Size Your Fan Correctly

• A ceiling fan can be a very efficient piece of equipment for moving both warm and cool air around a room, but that efficiency is only as good as the size of the fan relative to the room. Installing a fan that is too small for a large room will be a waste of electricity. Installing a fan that is too big means there won't be clearance to provide the fan with enough space to move the air.

Check for Warped Blades

• Avoid future problems by examining the fan blades before installation. Check for any warping, and if you do find a warped blade, take the entire box back to the store and ask for a replacement. You should also check the blade irons to make sure they are all pitched the same. This will also help you to avoid problems following installation.

Brace Bar Assembly

• A brace bar may be necessary if you don't have access from above the ceiling fan. The brace bar is an adjustable bar that can be installed between two joists. You should try assembling the brace bar, ceiling box and box bracket on the floor so you can get a better idea of how to assemble them in the ceiling, where you may not be able to see as clearly. This dry run will give you a much better perspective of what real assembly looks like.

Firmer Recessed Fan Fixtures

• Get a firmer attachment to recessed ceiling fan fixtures by securing the sliding brackets attached to the canister to the joists. Position the fixture over the hole so that the canister extends out to reach the joists on either side.

Proper Lighting

• You can help avoid a potential fire if your ceiling fan comes with a light fixture. Make sure you check the recommended bulb specifications for your particular ceiling fan by reading the manufacturer's manual. Using a bulb other than the type recommended by the manufacturer increases the potential fire hazard associated with your ceiling fan.