Making basic upgrades to your home can become costly if you always need to hire an expert. While there are some times when you should always consult an expert to protect your property, there are also many improvements you’d be surprised to find you can DIY yourself.
These small repairs and alterations might not seem significant, but they’re a great way to improve the value of your home. Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’re preparing to sell, installing a ceiling fan is an easy upgrade anyone can handle on their own.
Why Install a Ceiling Fan?
When it comes to home improvements, a ceiling fan is one of the most valuable. Not only does it increase the usability and comfort of a space, but it actually results in year-round energy savings. In the summer, ceiling fans reduce the strain on air conditioners with their cooling breeze. In the winter, the same is true by improving the heat circulation in the room.
To better understand the value of these savings, keep in mind that an air conditioner costs $0.36 an hour to run, while a ceiling fan only costs around $0.01 an hour. In addition, most ceiling fans are stylish and modern, adding to the design of a home. If your ceiling fan includes a lighting feature, this is also a big perk.
Can You DIY Your Own Fan Installation?
First, let’s address whether this is a DIY you’ll be able to handle without any complicated skills. While installing a ceiling fan is relatively simple as far as home improvement tasks go, just how simple it is will depend on whether or not you already have an existing light fixture.
If there’s already a light fixture where you plan to add a ceiling fan, this is good news. Swapping this fixture with a fan is a simple task, though you’ll still have to be careful to make sure the existing electrical box can support the weight and vibration of a fan.
On the other hand, if there is no existing light fixture, you’ll need to consult with a professional electrician. This is because you’ll need to bring some form of electric wiring to your specific room or area, and this will be a bit more complicated.
Steps for Installing a Ceiling Fan
Now that you know whether you can handle a ceiling fan installation on your own, let’s jump into the specific steps. While installing a fan is relatively simple, make sure you’re following any steps or manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you won’t run into any electrical problems or weight support issues.
- Remove your existing light fixture. Of course, you’ll need to also check your electric to ensure it’s turned off, and be careful of any glass or old fixtures which can easily break. As you remove the fixture, you’ll need to disconnect any wires by twisting off the connectors.
- Cut a new hole. Next, you have to remove the existing electrical box from your ceiling. It likely won’t be able to handle the weight of your fan, so you need to install one that can. Follow the instructions on your electrical box to ensure you get the right fit if you need to cut a new hole.
- Attach the new electric box. Feed the cables through the new box and set the box into the new hole in your ceiling. You’ll need to attach the box with the screws proved in your electric box kit. If you have a ceiling medallion, it’s now time to fasten it to the ceiling.
- Mount the plate and assemble your fan. Next, mount the ceiling plate to your ceiling medallion. It’s time to assemble your fan according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Finally, make the wire connections between the fan and your electric box.
- Attach your blades and lights. Your ceiling fan base should be solidly connected now, so attach each flan blade to the blade iron. If there’s a light fixture, connect these wires and install the shades and bulbs.
Finally, test your new fan and light. That’s it! You’re good to go. As long as you followed the instructions correctly, you should find it works perfectly. Now you’re all set for electric savings and comfort in your space!