A ceiling fan is a low-cost option for home cooling.
Installing a ceiling fan in an old home sometimes requires a bit more work than installing on in a new home. Getting the wiring box for the fan up to standard may require that you knock out the old electrical box to ensure that your wiring meets today's electrical standard. The extra work is worth it; it's for your safety. Installing your wiring properly prevents fires and also secures your fan, reducing the likelihood that it will fall on your head.
Instructions
1. Turn off the electricity to your room by shutting off the circuit breaker to the room at the circuit breaker box.
2. Measure the slope of the ceiling by holding a 2-foot level against the ceiling. Adjust the end closest to the electrical box for the ceiling fan until the bubble in the spirit level is in between the two level brackets. Measure the distance from the end of the level to the ceiling and divide the number by two to get the drop for the 12 inches leading away from the electrical box. Use this measurement to purchase the down rod for the ceiling fan.
3. Stick a wood block into the old electric box and hit the end of the wood block with a rubber mallet to remove the box.
4. Place the new ceiling brace into the hole and twist it until it is secure. Slide the saddle of the brace into the hole in the ceiling.
5. Slide the wiring coming from the ceiling through the new electrical box using a pair of pliers. Screw the box to the saddle using a screwdriver.
6. Cut a length of copper wire and wrap it around the grounding screw that comes with your fan. Attach it to the grounding wire hole in the electrical box, which is marked with a "G."
7. Screw the hanger bracket to the ceiling, over the electrical box. You fan will hang from this bracket.
8. Assemble your ceiling fan according to the instructions included in your kit. Slide the wiring through the down rod you purchased for your ceiling slope.
9. Bring the down rod, with the ceiling fan unit, up to the ceiling, having a friend hold the bottom of the ceiling fan to keep it from falling.
10. Connect the bare grounding wire (the copper wire you installed) to the green ground wire attached to the bracket. Connect the neutral white wire coming from the fan to the neutral wire in the electrical box. Connect the blue and black wires coming from the motor to the hot wire, usually black or red, coming from the box. Twist the ends of the wires together using wire nuts.
11. Assemble the rest of the fan as indicated in the assembly instructions.
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