Replacing a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans can come with pre-installed lights, or without them.

Ceiling fans are a decorative addition to any room, and they also provide functionality by circulating cool or warm air, depending on the season. Fans increase the comfort of a room and decrease the energy costs to heat or cool the home. Replacing a fan with a more functional or updated one is a simple process, and does not involve extensive electrical know-how.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Wire nuts

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the room in which the fan hangs by flipping the correct switch in the circuit breaker box. Turn the fan switch on and off to make sure the power is cut.

2. Insert a screwdriver into the screws holding the individual blades onto the body of the fan and unscrew them. Remove each fan blade. Remove the screws holding the electrical cover in place and lower the cover so you have access to the electrical components.

3. Unhook the wiring from the fan body. Lift up the fan body and pull it out of the mounting bracket, then remove the bracket screws. Lower the mounting bracket and remove it.

4. Hold the new mounting bracket up to the electrical box where the wiring sits. The flat side should face the ceiling. Secure the mounting bracket with screws, tightening them with the screwdriver.

5. Slip the down rod of the new fan through the hole in the electrical cover. Push the wires up the down rod and into the electrical cover. Lower the down rod into its hole in the fan and secure the screws with a screwdriver.

6. Slide the top of the down rod into the mounting bracket in the ceiling. Twist the green wire from the ceiling fan onto the green wire from the ceiling. Cap the connection with a wire nut. Repeat with the white wires.

7. Connect the black and blue fan wires to the black wire from the ceiling, if you have one switch for the lights and the fan. If the fan and the lights on the fan have two separate switches, connect the black and blue fan wires to two separate lead wires from the ceiling. Cap the ends and push all the wires up into the wire box.

8. Push the electric cover up over the mounting bracket and secure it in place with the screws provided. Attach the fan blades to the fan body by snapping them in place or screwing them in place. If your fan comes with lights, slide on the light fixtures and install the light bulbs. Turn the power back on at the breaker box.

References

• You Tube: Home Depot: How To Replace or Install a Ceiling Fan