Stay Cool With A Ceiling Fan
Baltimore has had it tough with recent heat waves. And staying cool means higher than normal electricity bills. But you could save money on your air conditioning bills and energy by installing a ceiling fan. So let’s figure out how to hang a ceiling fan in Baltimore.
Fan Installation Considerations
To begin with, this tutorial is designed with newer homes in mind. That’s because almost all homes built since the 1970s use drywall. Drywall is much is easier to cut and work with than older plaster and lathe homes. Also newer homes typically have a three wire cable system that makes electrical work considerably safer.
While putting a ceiling into an older home is mostly the same, there are still significant differences to contend with. If you own an older home, you might want to contact a professional.
According to This Old House, installing a ceiling fan will take up about 2-4 hours. And it’s a beginner friendly DIY project. All you need are a wire stripper, nailset, hammer, drill, drywall saw, screwdriver, and a caulk gun.
Important Note: Please read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Install the Electrical Box
- Remove old light fixture: If your room has an old ceiling light, you’ll need to remove it. Make sure the fixture is powered off first. Also, be careful when removing globes and shades. And be sure to disconnect any wires.
- Remove old electrical box: The old electrical box will need to be replaced. Ceiling fans require electrical boxes that can stand up to their weight and the torque force of the fan’s movement. You can unscrew the old box if it’s screwed directly into the joists (the horizontal beams connecting the walls). But you may need to cut into the ceiling if it’s nailed or screwed against the ceiling joist or into plywood.
- Attach new electrical box : Choosing the right kind of electrical box is important here because you’ll need to use one that’s rated to support a ceiling fan.
- If the box you’re removing is attached directly into a joist, you can use a pancake box and mounting screws that are specifically rated for ceiling fans. Be sure to feed the cables correctly.
- In many instances, you may be replacing a light fixture that is between joists. In this case you should use a heavy duty retrofit kit. Once you remove the original electrical box, you can insert the retrofit kit into the hole and adjust the legs to fit safely between the joists.
Mount the New Ceiling Fan
- Mount the Ceiling Plate: Hold the fan’s ceiling fastening plate up to the electric box. This will hold the fan in place to the electrical box. Feed the wires correctly through the center hole. Then attach the plate to the box. Make sure you
- Connect the Wires: Use twist-on wire connectors to connect the white (neutral) wires to each other. Then connect the black (load) wires together and the ground (green or copper) wires together. Make sure to read the fan kit’s directions for fan motor and lamp connections. Then swing the fan up into position and attach it to the mounting bolts so that it is firmly in place.
- Attach the Blade and Lights: Attach all the fan blades. Then plug the fixture housing into the wire hanging from the motor. Fasten the screws and you’re done!
Consider Installing Ceiling Fans in Baltimore
The right ceiling fan can save a lot of money for Baltimore energy customers. It’s all about choosing the right fans for the rooms that need them. And if you want to save even more money, try installing it yourself. You can learn more about other ways of saving money and energy by comparing rates and plans at https://www.mdenergyratings.com.