Glenda Feeken - Come Live and Play on the Kenai

It's a no-brainer that fans keep you cool in summer's heat, but in colder weather, ceiling fans can pull warmer air down and circulate it throughout the room. With a ceiling fan, your heating and cooling systems won't need to run as long or work as hard to keep you comfortable. And with the rising costs of energy, that's a win-win situation. This project is deceptively simple; don't be intimidated because electricity is involved. All you need to begin is an existing lighting fixture that you can swap out.

For this task, the toughest and most time-consuming component is selecting the right fan. Once purchased, it's only a few hours until you can sit back and enjoy the benefits.

TOOLS:

• Measuring tape
• Ladder
• Screwdriver
• Wire cutter

SUPPLIES:

• Fan kit
• Light bulbs
  

Step 1: Choose the right fan for your space

There are many technical details to weigh when selecting the right fan. Blade size, motor speed, materials and lighting options are some of the most important to keep in mind when shopping. When looking at blade size, measure your room to select a kit that's right for your space. While fan blades span from 24" - 72", the most popular size is 52", which is suitable for an 18' x 20' room.

Motor speed and strength depend on how often the fan will run. For continuous use, choose a ceiling fan with a performance grade, quiet motor. For occasional use, consider an economy or medium grade motor. Either way, maximize efficiency by selecting a reversible model or one with adjustable blades to push warm air upward in summer and down into the room in winter. Look for fans bearing the Energy Star label, which indicates that they move air up to 20% more efficiently.

Choose fans rated for damp or wet environments if you're buying for a bathroom, kitchen or covered porch. Avoid solid wood blades in damp areas as they may warp over time. Keep in mind that unusually-shaped fan blades such as simulated palm fronds and wicker colonial-inspired designs are the least efficient styles and add little more than designed appeal.

Most ceiling fans have a "downrod", a 3" - 5" rod that runs from the ceiling mount to the fan. If your ceiling is less than the standard 9', forego the downrod and choose a flush mount model instead. While flush mounts do reduce airflow, fan blades need to be more than 7' above the floor for obvious safety reasons. Keep in mind that even flush mount fan blades need to be at least one foot from the ceiling to be efficient. Alternately, if you have sloped or high ceiling angled and extended mounts with longer downrods are available as well.

Try an all-in-one fan and light combination to eliminate the need for additional lighting. The fan and light should be controlled separately, especially if your fan has multiple settings or your light is on a dimmer. While a remote controlled fan seems like a great idea, we find it's worth the few extra steps to the light switch to avoid having one more remote to track down.

Step 2: Take it off, baby (Then put it on)

Remove the existing light fixture, making sure to shut off the circuit at the circuit breaker of fuse box, not just the light switch. Remove mounting bolts and disconnect the electrical wires, saving all wire nuts and caps to be reused later. Using a screwdriver, attach the fan's mounting bracket to the electrical box, making sure all connections are tight.

Before taking down the existing fixture, first remove all light bulbs and glass covers to make it easier to take down.

Safety Tip:Never rely on ceiling material alone to support your fixture! Check the mount of the electrical box to be sure it's anchored firmly to a structural support or rafter. Many fans are heavy and may need extra bracing for support. Note the weight of your ceiling fan before installation and consult with a store expert to see if you need to install a brace or other support first.

There are special ceiling fan mounting brackets designed to be installed from inside the room, eliminating a trip up into the attic. The mounting brackets consist of a steel pole that can be accommodated joists 2" on center.

Step 3: Make the Connection

Connect the circuit wires using the wire connectors or caps provided in your installation kit or use the ones you just removed from your old fixtures. Don't use electrical tape in place of the caps. Match up the colors of the wires. Most kits have white and black fan wires where you match white to white and black to black. Blue wires are used for the lighting. The grounding wire connecting to the lead is usually green or copper. Check the manufacturer's instructions if you're insure or if the colors mentioned don't match up.

Slip on the ceiling cover and attach it firmly, making sure you tuck in all wires and the mount is flush to the ceiling. This is most likely a two person job; have one person hold the fan while the other connects the wires.

Step 4: Hook it Up

Attach the fan motor to the mounting bracket according to manufacturer's instructions, then switch the power back on to test the connections. Be sure to have the switch and pull-chain both in the "on" position so you don't mistake human error for an electrical problem! When you're satisfied with the connections, turn the power back off at the switch plate and the fuse box before continuing with installation.

Using your screwdriver, put on the motor cover, if your kit includes one. Screwdriver still in hand, attach each fan blade securely to its mounting bracket, then attach each one to the fan motor. This will require a lot of stretching and reaching so take your time and rest often. After all blades have been attached, switch the power back on at the fuse box and the switch plate.

Safety Tip:If your fan wobbles or shakes after installation, double-check all connections to make sure they're tight. If they check out, purchase a ceiling fan balancing kit which uses small weights to even out the rotation. Inexpensive and easy to use, the kit will test and correct any balancing issues. If the fan still wobbles, remove the blades and lay them flat to check for possible warping.

Conclusion:

Now go ahead and grab that iced tea - or hot toddy if it's the middle of winter - and sit back and enjoy your work.

Ceiling Fan Do's and Don'ts:

• Do wipe fan blades down with a lint-free cloth on a weekly basis to reduce dust build-up.
• Don't use fan blades to test centrifugal force and fling things around the room.
• Do check your fan after a few months of use for wobbling and re-tighten any loose connections if necessary.

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(By Be Jane)