Most of the work in hanging a ceiling fan is about what holds it up. RJ and Son Electric, a Suffolk contractor, says a ceiling fan is not a light fixture and cannot safely hang from the same electrical box. If the ceiling already has a fan-rated box and a switch, the visit is short. If it has a plain light box, or nothing at all, plan on more.
The box in the ceiling decides the job
RJ and Son Electric says a fan must be supported by an outlet box listed and labeled for fan support, fastened to the building structure, and calls that a code requirement rather than a preference. Checking or replacing the box can mean opening the ceiling to add bracing between the joists. Green Source Electrical in Huntington Station says fan-rated bracing and boxes are what prevent vibration, sway and mounting failure over time.
RJ and Son also notes that a wobble is most often a mounting problem, not a balance problem.
Three ways a fan job goes
Replacing an old fan with a new one. Premier Electric and Design in Wantagh says switching out an existing fan may be relatively straightforward, while a new installation can be much more involved. The box still has to be fan-rated.
Putting a fan where a light is now. The wiring is there. The box is usually the question, and RJ and Son points out that old ceiling wiring sometimes needs correcting before a new fan goes up.
A room with no ceiling fixture. RJ and Son says this needs a new circuit run and a switch added. Green Source describes adding a fan-rated box and running the wiring and switch leg. Haines Electric in Lido Beach says new circuits generally need a permit in Nassau, while a one for one swap of an existing device usually does not.
Switches, remotes and the light kit
A fan with a light can run from one wall switch, or from two so the fan and the light work separately. RJ and Son says separate switching may need extra conductors in the wall, and that remote and smart controls have their own wiring and compatibility requirements. Green Source says it can install separate wall switches for the light and the fan speed. Haines Electric notes many fans come with a built-in light, so a fan can also be the room’s main light.
Picking the size and the height
Hunter’s sizing guideline, by room size:
| Room size | Blade span | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 sq ft | 30 to 48 inches | Hunter Fan Company |
| Up to 400 sq ft | 50 to 54 inches | Hunter Fan Company |
| 400 sq ft and up | 56 inches or more | Hunter Fan Company |
Hunter says UL and ETL safety guidelines require the blades to be at least 7 feet off the floor, and it recommends about 8 feet. A Cape bedroom under a low ceiling wants a low-profile fan. A vaulted family room wants a downrod, and Green Source says stairwells and high ceilings need the right mounting method and bracing.
ENERGY STAR says its certified fans with lights are 60% more efficient than conventional fan and light units. In winter it suggests running the fan clockwise on low to push warm air down from the ceiling, and turning fans off when you leave the room.
Questions for the electrician
- Is the existing box rated for a fan, and if not, how will you support the new one?
- Will you need to open the ceiling, and who patches it?
- Can the fan and light be switched separately with the wiring I have?
- If this is a new location, where will the circuit and switch come from, and is a permit needed?
- Will you balance the fan and check for wobble before you leave?
Signs to point out while the electrician is there
The Electrical Safety Foundation lists dim or flickering lights, switch plates that feel hot or look discolored, and buzzing from a switch as warning signs to have an electrician check. If a fan’s switch has done any of that, say so before the new fan goes on the same circuit.