How to Install a Ceiling Fan
Bring the breeze indoors with the perfect ceiling fan.
A ceiling fan is an easy way to cool down your home. Whether you're replacing an old fan or installing a new one, knowing how to install a ceiling fan can come in handy as we get ready for warmer weather. Our guide covers all you need to know about ceiling fan installation. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to install a ceiling fan.
Before You Begin
Where to Install a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling Fan Parts
How to Install a Ceiling Fan on a Flat Ceiling
How to Install a Ceiling Fan on a Sloped Ceiling
How to Measure Ceiling Slope
Before You Begin
Before installing a ceiling fan, you'll need to choose one first. Design, size, and placement are key considerations when determining which ceiling fan works best for your home.
To find the right size and downrod length of your new fan, measure the length, width, and ceiling height of the room you plan on placing it.
Pick the Right Ceiling Fan Design
Ceiling fans come in a range of different designs to suit your indoor or outdoor space. Check out Your Guide to Buying Ceiling Fans to learn more about ceiling fan designs, mount types, and features.
Find the Right Size
To find the right size and downrod length of your new fan, measure the length, width, and ceiling height of the room where you plan on placing it. Read our guide What Size Ceiling Fan Should You Get? to find more information about ceiling fan sizes.
Where to Install a Ceiling Fan
To prep for your ceiling fan installation, you'll also need to decide where to install the fan. Use the guidelines below to determine the best placement:
Ceiling fans must be installed at least 7' above the floor, but it is optimal to have it 8' or 9' off the floor. There should always be 8" – 10" between the ceiling and the fan's blades.
The fan blade tips should be at least 30 inches from the walls and other obstructions.
Ceiling Fan Parts
Before you can start the ceiling fan installation, it's important to familiarize yourself with the different parts of the ceiling fan.
How to Install a Ceiling Fan on a Flat Ceiling
If you are replacing a ceiling fan with a similar style, installation should be simple. If you are putting in a new ceiling fan or replacing an existing light with a ceiling fan, make sure the power required to operate the fan will not overwhelm the existing wiring. Consult a contractor if you are unsure.
What You Will Need
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Wire nuts
- Ladder
- At least two people
Step 1: Turn off Electricity to Room
Turn off the electricity to the room where you are installing the ceiling fan. Confirm the power is off by flicking the light switches. Remember which switch controls the fan for testing purposes later.
Step 2: Remove Blades
With a screwdriver, remove the blades of the existing fan.
Step 3: Disconnect and Remove Fan
Unscrew the screws at the base of the fan where it meets the ceiling. Pull the cover down away from the wires. Remove the wire nuts and the connections between the fan and the wiring. The entire fan will come out of the ceiling so be ready to support its weight. Unscrew the brackets that support the ceiling fan.
Step 4: Consider Your New Fan
If your new ceiling fan is heavier than your existing model, consider installing a support bracket that will sit between the ceiling joists. If you choose to use a support system, you will also need to insert a mounting box and electrical plate into the hole, and use bolts to secure it in place. This will be used later to attach the ceiling fan mounting plate.
Step 5: Buy a Downrod if Necessary
If the ceiling fan sits too close to the ceiling, it will not circulate air properly. Make sure the fan is at least 10" from the ceiling. Think about using a downrod if your ceiling exceeds 8'.
Step 6: Attach Mounting Plate
Attach the new mounting plate to the electrical box. Make sure the flat side is up. Feed the electrical wires through the center hole of the mounting bracket or plate. This piece and installation screws will be included with the ceiling fan set.
Step 7: Assemble the New Fan
According to the manufacturer's directions, assemble the fan and downrod on the floor.
Step 8: Connect Fan and Wires to Ceiling
Insert the fan into the supports and connect the wires to the fan. Depending on the number of switches you have, you may need to connect all the wiring (the power and lighting) to one all-purpose wire, and use the chains on the unit to control speed and lights. Screw wire nuts into the wires, put the wires back into the electrical box, and secure the canopy that hides these wires and the mount. Most wires will match up in color. For example, a white wire from the fan or ceiling will be connected to white wire from the receiver.
Step 9: Connect Pull Chain
If the pull chain is not already connected or wasn't connected during the assembly of the fan, make sure to connect it now.
Step 10: Test it
Test the switches to make sure the fan and lights work correctly.
How to Install a Ceiling Fan on a Sloped Ceiling
When installing a ceiling fan on a sloped ceiling, you may need to buy a longer downrod than the one that comes with the fan to ensure that the blades are at least 18" from any wall or ceiling. If your ceiling angle is greater than 30°, you will need to buy an angled mounting kit, which is sold separately.
How to Measure Ceiling Slope
What You Will Need
- Tape measure
- Ladder
- Paper and pencil to write down measurements
- Straightedge
- Protractor
Please note that each fan manufacturer has different installation instructions, so we recommend following those or consulting a professional. You can follow the general instructions below.
Step 1: Draw a Picture of Your Room
With a paper and pencil, draw a picture of the room.
Step 2: Measure Tallest Part of Your Ceiling
Using a ladder, measure the height of the tallest part of your ceiling – which may be directly in the middle of the room or off to the side. For later use, place a piece of painter’s tape on the floor directly below the tallest part of the ceiling (at the end of your tape measure).
Step 3: Measure Your Walls
Measure your walls – from the floor to where the wall meets the ceiling.
Step 4: Calculate the Rise of Ceiling
Subtract your wall measurement from the ceiling height measurement to get the rise of your ceiling.
Step 5: Calculate the Run of Ceiling
Go to the painter’s tape from step one – which should be sitting directly under the tallest part of the ceiling. Now, measure from this point along the floor to the wall. This is the run of your ceiling.
Step 6: Convert Your Measurements
Convert the measurements from feet to inches for the draft of your room. For example, if the rise of your ceiling is 11', record 11". If the run of your ceiling is 9', mark this down as 9".
Step 7: Figure Out the Ceiling Pitch
Using a ruler, draw a triangle on the piece of paper. The horizontal line is the length of your converted run measurement. From the example in step 6 this would be 9". On the left side of this line, draw a line straight up (90 degrees on the protractor) that is the length of the converted ceiling rise measurement (11"). Now, connect the two ends of the lines to create a triangle.
Using the protractor (place the center point at the corner of the sloped line), look at the angle that is formed between the bottom line and the sloped line on the right. This is the angle of your ceiling's pitch.
Installation
The installation is the same as a regular ceiling fan, the only difference is the assembly of the new fan and its mount. Each fan manufacturer has different installation instructions, so we recommend following those or consulting a professional. However, below are general steps to follow.
Step 1: Assemble the Fan
According to the manufacturer's instructions, assemble the fan and blades.
Step 2: Attach the Ball and Downrod
Take the downrod and screw it into the threaded end of the ball provided (the ball uses gravity to make the downrod sit straight up and down). Slide the ball and downrod through the bracket. Thread the provided pin through the holes to lock the downrod into place. Line up the pin with the grooves in the ball and lock it into place.
Step 3: Thread the Wires
Run the electrical wires from your ceiling fan through the downrod and out the other side.
Step 4: Secure the Downrod to the Ceiling Fan
Screw the downrod into the top of the ceiling fan. Then tighten any additional mounting screws.
Step 5: Attach the Downrod to Ceiling Bracket
Place the other end of the downrod (the end with the ball) into the mounting bracket that will be placed on the ceiling.
Step 6: Connect Wires and Mount Bracket to Ceiling
Connect any electrical wiring and mount the bracket to the ceiling.
