Whether they are circulating warm air during the winter or helping you cool down in the summer, there are many benefits to installing a ceiling fan in your home or office. They can even help you save money on your energy costs and stay comfortable year-round by reducing the need for air conditioning. But if there’s no existing wiring in place, installing one can feel like an insurmountable task.
In this article, we’ll explain how an electrician would install a ceiling fan where no fixture exists.
Steps to Install a Ceiling Fan Where No Wiring Exists
Since installing new wiring is involved in this process, we urge you to hire a licensed electrician for ceiling fan installation where no wiring or fixture exists.
Below are the steps an electrician would take to install a ceiling fan.
1. Turn Off Electricity to the Circuit
The most important step in the whole process is the first. Turn off the circuit breaker that delivers power to the circuit that will control the ceiling fan. This will prevent electrocution and make it easier to wire the fan to the switch. You should never, under any circumstances, perform electrical work on an active circuit.
2. Determine the Ceiling Fan Location
Ceiling fans can weigh between 15 and 50 pounds, so it’s important to make sure the selected location has the proper support joists. If a ceiling fan is not properly attached to the ceiling, it can become a safety risk and potentially damage your ceiling, floor, and fan.
3. Install the Electrical Box
Once the fan location has been selected, electrical box installation can begin. If there is one support joist in the desired fan location, the electrical box can be nailed into the joist. If you have two support joists in the desired location, you will need a brace and saddle to support the fan.
Here are the steps to install an electrical box that requires a brace and saddle:
- Cut a hole in the ceiling between the two support joists.
- Push through a fan brace with the electrical box attached.
- Secure the brace to the support joists following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Slip a saddle over the brace and prepare to run wiring through it.
4. Run Wiring to the Fan
Choose or install the wall switch that will control the ceiling fan. Wiring will need to be run from the switch to the ceiling fan installation location. This can be done by using fish tape to pull the new wiring through the walls and up to where the new fan will be installed.
5. Mount the New Ceiling Fan
After the wiring is installed, the new ceiling fan will be assembled and mounted based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn the power to the circuit back on and test the fan to make sure it’s working properly.
Ceiling Fan Installation Services in Your Area
Installing a ceiling fan in a room with no existing fixture or wiring can be a difficult task. Your local Mr. Electric is here to help with everything from ceiling fan installation to wiring updates to make ceiling fan installation a breeze. Call us at (844) 866-1367 or find a Mr. Electric near you to get started.
This blog is made available by Mr. Electric for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding of the specific subject above. The blog should not be used as a substitute for a licensed electrical professional in your state or region. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project.