Installing fan brace

Once you complete the installation of your new ceiling fan, test it for proper operation. We recommend that you let it run for a few minutes. Turn off the fan, and check around it for any hot spots and signs of electrical burning. What you want to look for is either blackened areas in the ceiling or on the fan, as well as a pungent odor that indicates the wiring is damaged.

If you notice either of these signs, turn off the electricity at the breaker box, and remove the entire ceiling fan. Once you have done this, contact Peterman Brothers to have a technician come by and check the wiring. We can make any necessary repairs and even complete the installation of your ceiling fan. You turn your ceiling fan on and off with the cord that is mounted in the central base of the fan. If the fan is connected to a wall switch, you can turn it on with the cord and then use the wall switch to operate it.

The fan also has a small toggle switch on the side of the central base to set the direction of rotation. The direction of the ceiling fan is based on some simple characteristics that contribute to the process of heat exchange inside your home. When your AC is running in the summer, you want to push that cooler air downward, so the fan needs to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction.

If the toggle switch is not labeled, you can stand under the fan while it is running to see the direction of rotation. During the winter, your heating system is running to keep your home cool.

Colder air tends to stay near the ground, so you want to pull it upward to mix with the heated air. This can be done by running the ceiling fan in a clockwise direction. Also, keep it at the lowest speed during the winter. Peterman Brothers offer expert plumbing, heating, electrical , and cooling services for homes in the Indianapolis area.

Call us today to learn more and schedule an appointment with one of our technicians. Contact Us Choose a Good Location for a Ceiling Fan One of the most common myths about ceiling fans is that they help to cool your home faster or better.

Select a Ceiling Fan for Function and Looks No matter the size of a room, a ceiling fan will attract some attention. Choose the Right Size for Your Room For smaller rooms less than 75 square feet , the fan should have a blade span of 29 to 30 inches.

Turn Off the Electricity Before you do any type of work with electrical components in your home, always turn off the electricity at the breaker box. Install the Junction Box If you have an existing light or ceiling fan where you are installing the new one, the first step is to remove the fixture and mount the junction box. Double Check the Wiring Before you cover the opening in your ceiling, take another look at the electrical wiring and connections.

Use a drywall saw to cut gypsum board and a reciprocating saw to cut wood lath plaster. Working through the channel, measure the distance between the joists and cut a 2x4 to this length. Attach a fan-rated outlet box to the midpoint of the 2x4 where you want the fixture to be. Attach a joist hanger to each end of the 2x4, keeping them flush, not protruding past the end of the wood.

Butting the 2x4 against a flat surface while assembling can help to keep the bracket set properly. Insert the support assembly between the joists and set it so the outlet box is flush with the ceiling surface.

Press a small board against the bottom of the outlet box to hold it flush with the ceiling while attaching the support assembly to the joists. Working through the channel, drive deck screws or nails through the holes in the metal hangers and into the joist. Use four screws on both ends of the support, two on each side of the hangers.

Cut drywall patches to fit the space on each side of the new outlet box and attach them to the 2x4 support with drywall screws. Tape the seams with mess tape and cover the whole thing with joint compound and smooth it out. Apply several coats to build up a smooth finish that can be sanded and painted to touch up. An easier alternative to repairing the damage is to use one coat of mud and then cover the rough repair with a preformed medallion.

A plastic medallion can be installed using caulk to stick it to the surface or using the fixture cover plate to hold it in place. You can also get a plaster medallion, these should be installed using setting joint compound or plaster of Paris to attach it to the ceiling.

Keep pressure on the medallion to hold it in place until the mud has set. A ceiling fixture may be installed one of two ways: it may have screws that hold the base to the mounting strap on the outlet box to support the weight, or a threaded rod and coupler may be used to suspend the fixture. To install a fixture with screws, locate the base and make sure there are two holes that line up with the screw holes in the mounting strap. Also, check that the screws to be used thread freely into the holes before holding the light up to begin installation.

Hold the fixture up to splice the wires. Usually the first wire splice will aid in supporting a small light, but have a helper assist with supporting a large, heavy fixture while making the connections. While still supporting the weight, attach the base to the mounting strap with the screws and tighten the base to the ceiling. To install a fixture using a coupler, thread the rod into the center hole in the mounting strap and set the rod depth so the fixture base will fit snuggly against the ceiling when it's installed.

Measure the depth of the cover plate to estimate placement, precision isn't necessary here, small adjustments can be made to the position after the installation by turning the coupler nut. Be sure all the wires are stripped for splicing, hold the fixture up, and feed them through the threaded rod into the outlet box. Hold the fixture and splice the wires together, cap them with wire nuts and fold them up into the fixture box.

Slide the base plate over the wires and thread the coupler nut onto the threaded rod to push the base plate up and hold it in place. Some types of specially rated metal pan boxes may be used for mounting ceiling fans, but not all pan boxes may be used for this purpose. You can use a universal mounting bracket. They are made to fit most brands of ceiling fans. Double-check that your brand and model are listed on the universal bracket. This all assumes the existing nearby electric circuit can handle the addition of the fan — if not, then wiring cost will go up.

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