Installing a Ceiling Fan in a Mobile Home
The high cost of electricity makes it hard for many people to afford to run air conditioners all summer long. Reducing costs is on their minds, so, they turn to fans to help circulate the air within their home. Box fans are loud and inefficient and can use nearly as much electricity as a window-mounted air conditioner. A ceiling fan can rescue you from this situation if you are one of those people. Ceiling fans are safe, quiet and energy-efficient. Mounting a ceiling fan in your mobile home can be accomplished if you add the proper bracing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Expandable support bar with "U" bolt, washers and nuts
- Ratchet and socket
- Electrical tape
- Work gloves
- Safety glasses
Instructions
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1
Shut off the power to the room where you will be installing your ceiling fan. Flip the light switch off and on to verify that the power is off.
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2
Twist the retaining nut holding the globe on your ceiling light. Remove the nut and globe and discard or store them for a future project.
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3
Loosen and remove the screws holding the light fixture to the ceiling with your screwdriver. Lower the fixture from the ceiling. Twist the wire nuts free; keep the wire nuts and discard the fixture.
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4
Twist the screws holding the junction box in place to remove them. Discard the screws and pull the junction box past the end of the wires. Set the box aside.
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5
Adjust the support bar to its shortest setting. Slide the bar above the drywall of your ceiling by feeding it through the existing hole. Turn the bar so that it is parallel with the long walls of the mobile home.
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6
Twist the adjustment section of the adjustable bar to open it until the ends of the bar are firmly resting against a ceiling joist on either side. Do not overtighten the bar or you will damage the structural support of your ceiling and roof.
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7
Slide one end of the "U" bolt over the bar and twist it so that both ends of the "U" bolt are pointing straight down. Feed the wires through the open knockout of your junction box and lift the box toward the ceiling.
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8
Push the box up and line up the "U" bolt with the retaining screw holes. Press the box against the adjustable bar with the ends of the "U" bolt protruding into the box.
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9
Slip a washer onto each end of the bolt. Twist a nut onto each end of the bolt. Tighten both nuts with your ratchet and socket until it is secure against the bar above.
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10
Attach the mounting collar onto the junction box with the retaining screws supplied in the hardware kit that came with your fan. Snug the screws with your screwdriver.
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11
Attach the fan blades to the fan as directed by the manufacturer. Have your assistant lift the fan. Twist the wires together according to their colors; white to white and black to black.
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12
Twist a wire nut onto each bundle of wires. Wrap electric tape around each bundle to hold the wire nut in place and insulate the wire from arcing electricity in case of a surge.
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13
Lift the fan around its mounting collar. Insert the retaining screws with your screwdriver. Restore the power at the breaker box. Flip the light switch and pull the cords on the fan to test the lights and fan motor.
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Tips & Warnings
All of the necessary screws and other accessories should be included in a hardware kit inside the packaging of your ceiling fan. Open the box and match the parts inside to the instructions as soon as you bring the new fan home. Most stores that carry ceiling fans also have extra hardware parts or kits.
Use work gloves and safety glasses when working with hand tools. Always be sure that the power is turned off at the breaker. Alert everyone in the area not to restore the power during your project.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
