How to Install a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are fantastic. (Please forgive the pun.)

They provide cool breezes in the summer, and they circulate heat in the winter. What’s not to love about that? Plus, they can also add style and value to your home.

As home improvements go, ceiling fans are a no-brainer. They’re even easy to install.

In this short guide, we’ll walk you through the process. In addition to the steps here, be sure to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, take appropriate precautions. While it’s relatively easy to install a ceiling fan, you could still hurt yourself if you’re not careful.

Ready to get that new ceiling fan up and running? Here’s how.

Our 6 Step Guide for Installing a Ceiling Fan

The following is a general guide for installing a ceiling fan.

It’s worth noting, that most ceiling fan kits come with the necessary hardware and fasteners. They also come with instructions.

We’re fond of our guide. It’ll walk you through all the high-level steps. But don’t toss the manufacturer’s instructions to the side. You’ll want to read through those, too. It would be a shame to install your new fan the wrong way … or hurt yourself in the process.

Step 1: Remove Old Electrical Box

• Shut off the power at the circuit breaker and turn off light switches before you begin any work.
• Remove the old electric box from the ceiling. If the box is suspended from a bar, remove the metal plate and unscrew the box from the bar. Pry the bar off the ceiling joist with a flat bar. If the box is not suspended from a bar, pry the box directly off the joist.

Step 2: Install New Electrical Box

• Place the pancake box flat against the ceiling and center it along a joist. Trace around the box with a pencil. Cut along the shape you just drew with a drywall saw.
• Locate the knockout hole in the pancake box and thread the electric wires from the ceiling through the knockout hole.
• Push the pancake box into the hole in the ceiling and press the box against the joist. Attach the pancake box to the joist using a driver and the hex-head screws provided with the box.

Step 3: Attach Medallion and Ceiling Plate

• Apply urethane-based glue to the back of the decorative ceiling medallion.
• Thread the wires from the pancake box through the opening in the medallion. Press the medallion over the box and fasten it to the joist with finishing nails.
• Lift the metal ceiling plate to the pancake box and thread the wires through the opening in the ceiling plate. Fasten the ceiling plate to the box with two machine screws.

Step 4: Assemble and Hang the Fan

• Place the motor right side up on a table or other flat surface. Thread the wires from the motor through the opening in the canopy and set the canopy in place on the motor.
• Thread the wires through the down-rod pipe. Insert the down-rod pipe through the top of the motor. Firmly tighten the locking screw on the pipe with a wrench.
• Lift the assembled fan to the pancake box and clip one side of the canopy to the ceiling plate.

Step 5: Connect the Wires

• Connect the bare ground wire hanging from the pancake box to the two green wires from the motor with a twist-on connector.
• Connect the white wire from the box to the white wire from the motor.
• Connect the two black wires and gently tuck the wires into the box.
• Place the assembled fan against the ceiling medallion and screw the canopy in place.

Step 6: Attach Fan Blades and Wire the Lights

• Screw each fan blade to a fan bracket, then screw the brackets to the motor.
• Attach the light fixture housing to the wire coming out of the underside of the motor. Screw in lightbulbs and attach shades.
• Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker. Operate the ceiling fan from the light switch.

That Was a Breeze

Your ceiling fan is installed and ready to use. (And we’re done subjecting you to horrible puns.)

Now you can enjoy circulating air, energy savings and an attractive addition to your home.