How to Install a Thermostat for a Ceiling Fan
A thermostat is an electronic component that acts like a switch while monitoring the room temperature. Thermostats are rated to turn and off at specific temperatures, so if you want your ceiling fan to turn on off at specific temperatures, then you can install a thermostat to do it. Most ceiling fans are already wire to a wall switch, and if the wall switch is turned on with the thermostat installed, the fan will only turn on if the temperature rises above the thermostat's rated temperature. The ceiling fan can always be turned off at the wall switch, no matter what the temperature is inside the room. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Find the circuit breaker for the ceiling fan, and turn it off. Make sure you have the correct circuit breaker by first turning on the ceiling fan. When you turn off the right circuit breaker, the fan will shut off.
-
2
Remove the ceiling fan housing from the ceiling mounting plate by unscrewing the screws with a screwdriver. A stepladder can help you with access to the ceiling fan.
-
-
3
Use diagonal cutters to cut the black wire that goes to the fan motor. The black wire is the hot electrical wire that supplies the fan power.
-
4
Use wire strippers to strip a short piece of insulation from each end of the cut black wire.
-
5
Twist one wire from the thermostat to one of the cut black wires. Use a wire nut to secure the connection. Repeat with the other end of the cut black wire and the other thermostat wire. You should now have two wire nuts that have black wires connecting the thermostat to the fan motor.
-
6
Reattach the housing of the ceiling fan by holding it in place and screwing in the mounting screws.
-
7
Turn on the circuit breaker that supplies electricity to the ceiling fan. Turn the wall switch on. The ceiling fan will turn on and off now, as the temperature of the room rises and falls.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Many ceiling fans have directional switches for summer and winter to direct the flow of air. Check the position of this switch for the season you're currently in.
Household voltage is dangerous and can cause electrical shock.
Resources
- Photo Credit morguefile
