How Hard Is It To Change Out A Ceiling Fan?

[Dix]

For some one who is not "electrically" inclined ?

The ceiling fan in the den (where the PE is), is, I think, giving up the ghost

It's a Home Boy Depot special, been working during winter & summer for 8 - 10 years..... but now it's intermittent with functions. I paid, maybe 50 - 75 $$$'s for it.

*grumbles*

 

[PapaDave]

Not difficult.
I'll try to find a video for ya'.
ETA: Here's one from the Despot....

Embedded media from this media site is no longer available

 

[PapaDave]

Take your pick. HTH, Dixie
Could be some bad connections causing your problems. I had one that was acting up and found one of the connections was loose. Redid it, and no more problem.
It was the one my brother did when he was helping redo the master bedroom. The one I did is fine.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how to replace a ceiling fan&oq=how to replace a ceiling fan&gs_l=youtube.1.0.0l6.6034.6034.0.10361.1.1.0.0.0.0.436.436.4-1.1.0...0.0...1ac.2.11.youtube.pHr-NuLy7Ss

 

[SlyFerret]

You'll be surprised how simple it is. Just keep track of wire colors and how the old one was connected.

-SF

 

[Jim H.]

Do not forget to turn off power to the fan!

 

[Ashful]

What wall controls do you have? Single switch for light and fan? Separate switches? Speed control? This will determine exact hook-up. However, as stated, you can usually just make note of how the old one was connected, and copy onto the new one. Assuming the old one was properly installed, you already have the necessary box support, etc.

 

[briansol]

The hardest part about installing a fan is the mounting bracket in the ceiling. Since you already have that it sounds like since you have a fan already, the 2nd hardest part is fitting the 'cup' that covers the wires on. lol sounds tedious but they make it SOOOO tight to get it all in there. takes some fangeling.

Otherwise, it's just built piecemeal. wires are easy if its on a single switch.
if its on a dual switch (ie, 2 sides of the room) its slightly more complicated. I'd suggest pulling it first and seeing what wires you have and try to match that with the one you buy form the store.

There's days, most come with a remote control box that is the wire mediator if you will. Odds are, if you have one today, you can continue to use it on the new one too as they are pretty universal.

 

[Dix]

Not difficult.
I'll try to find a video for ya'.
ETA: Here's one from the Despot....

Embedded media from this media site is no longer available

Mucho informative.

Thank you.

 

[Dix]

What wall controls do you have? Single switch for light and fan? Separate switches? Speed control? This will determine exact hook-up. However, as stated, you can usually just make note of how the old one was connected, and copy onto the new one. Assuming the old one was properly installed, you already have the necessary box support, etc.

It has pulls chains on it for light & fan (fan is 3 speed). There is/was a wall control, but there is a flat wall plate now, where the speed/on/off control would go. The wires are capped off, I checked.

Obviously, I didn't install the current one

 

[Ashful]

Mucho informative.

"Mucho informativo."

It has pulls chains on it for light & fan (fan is 3 speed). There is/was a wall control, but there is a flat wall plate now, where the speed/on/off control would go. The wires are capped off, I checked.

Interesting. Do you want to go back to the wall control, or just keep operation the way it is?

 

[Dix]

To be honest, I liked having the option.

 

[Ashful]

Well, then step 1 is figuring out how many conductors you have running from fan to wall switch. There will usually be one of the following:

Romex 2c + ground
Romex 3c + ground
2x Romex 2c + ground

Easiest place to check is at the fan.

Of course, one has to wonder why they pulled the wall control in the first place? Maybe they're pulling power from the fan box to power another light circuit or receptacle? If so, you're stuck with the current config.

 

[Dix]

The wall control was more work, so it wasn't done. Control is only for the fan, nothing else runs off of it.

 

[vinny11950]

make sure to get a tall ladder, and a friend or two, because having an extra set of hands makes a big difference when holding and connecting the wires. the motor is pretty heavy too, so be prepared to have a system to hold it up once you have it over your head.

the mounting unit that connects to the electrical box should allow you to thread a rope to pull up the fan or just rest your arms as you pull it into place. the video makes it look much too easy. it is not.

good luck

 

[Ashful]

Project is already done, no?

 

[Highbeam]

Fans have come a long ways guys. The regular home depot Hunter brand fans are pretty slick now and anymore, you don't use wall switches, just pull chains or a remote. They even come with instructions that are pretty good.

The most clever thing they figured out was how to make the ceiling bracket capable of hooking/hanging the fan while you wire it and then swinging the fan up into place and fixing it with a single screw.

Step one after killing the power, take the old fan off. You'll have wires, probably just the black, white, and bare since this thing is pull chain operated. The light and the fan motor will each have a black and white. Join all wires of the same color just as the old fan was. Pop it into place and power up to test before putting the blades on.

My best fan is a hunter energy star model that uses 6 watts on low to run all winter stirring air in the stove room. It's been getting a work out this past few days cooling us too.

I'm not a fan of lights on the fan. You'll be better off with can lights or fixtures on a switch.

 

[Ashful]

Yep... got all the latest and greatest, but I still prefer the old wall control. I hate having (more) remote controls laying around, especially for something as stupid as a ceiling fan. The only fans we use the remotes for are on the porch or gazebo, since the wall switch controls for them are in the house (far away).