Install a Ceiling Fan Light Kit

• Step 1 Choose a fan

  When shopping for a ceiling fan, look for one that fits the room's height and length:

  Ceiling height. If the ceiling is 8 feet high or less, choose a flush-mount style, also called low profile. It hugs the ceiling, rather than hanging from a downrod.

  Room size. Fans come in different diameters; choose the right one based on the room's length.

  • 12 feet or less — 36 inch fan
  • 12 to 16 feet — 48 inch fan
  • 16 to 18 feet — 52 inch fan

• Step 2 Turn off the power

  Turn off the power to the ceiling light at the breaker box. So no one turns it on while you're working, cover the breaker with masking tape and tell everyone in the house you're working on the circuit. Flip the light switch on and off to verify that the power is off.

• Step 3 Remove the old light fixture

  

  Remove the light fixture's glass cover and set it aside carefully. Unscrew the retaining screws from the base of the light fixture and gently twist to loosen it. Pull the fixture away from the ceiling to expose the wires. Without touching the exposed wires, carefully unscrew the wire nuts and pull them off the wires.

  To make sure the power is off, touch a voltage tester to the two pairs of exposed wires. If the power is off, untwist the wires and remove the fixture.

• Step 4 Install a fan-rated electrical box

  

  The electrical box that held the light isn't strong enough to support a ceiling fan, so reinforce it:

  • If you can access the box from the attic, remove it, then install 2x blocking between the ceiling rafters just above the hole in the ceiling. Screw a fan-rated box to the blocking, flush with the ceiling.
  • If you can't get to the attic, carefully remove the light's electrical box through the hole in the ceiling. Insert mounting hardware into the ceiling — mounting hardware consists of a strong metal bar with small spikes on each end that penetrate the ceiling rafters as you turn the bar. You attach an electrical box to bar.

  As you install either the fan-rated box or the mounting hardware, thread the electrical cable through the electrical box so it hangs into the room.

• Step 5 Assemble the fan

  

  Assemble the fan, following package instructions. For most fans, first assemble the downrod and mounting ball (flush-mounted fans don't have a downrod). Then thread the fan's wires through the canopy trim ring, the canopy and the downrod assembly. Secure the downrod to the fan motor.

  Attach the downrod mounting bracket or the ceiling plate (for flush mount) to the ceiling box.

• Step 6 Connect wires

  

  Follow the manufacturer's wiring diagram to wire the fan. Generally, the wires are attached as follows:

  • The two fan and light wires connect to the black wire in the ceiling.
  • The white fan wire attaches to the white wire in the ceiling.
  • The fan's bare copper grounding wire attaches to the bare copper wire in the ceiling.

  To connect wires, strip about 3/4 inch of insulation off the end of each wire, and line up the ends of the wires. Twist the wires together clockwise three or four times. Screw a wire nut on the end of twisted wires, clockwise.

  Holding the wire nut, gently tug on the wires to make sure they are firmly connected. If a wire pulls loose, start over.

• Step 7 Hang the fan

  

  Hang the fan so the downrod supports the fan's weight. If you have a flush-mounted fan, the fan motor hangs directly from the hanging hardware. Depending on the model, either the canopy attaches to the ceiling plate, or the downrod mounting bracket supports the downrod.

• Step 8 Attach the fan blades

  

  Tuck the connected wires and wire nuts into the ceiling box. Attach the canopy to the box and put the canopy trim in place.

  With the screws provided, secure the fan blades to the metal blade irons, then install the blade assemblies on the bottom of the fan motor. Tighten all the screws with the same amount of torque so the blades are balanced.
  

• Step 9 Install the switch housing and lights

  

  The switch housing holds the pull chains that control the lights, the fan, and the fan's directional switch. Most fan have a plug for all wires that connects to a reciprocal plug on the bottom of the fan motor. Plug the two sets of wires together and install the switch housing.

  Following manufacturer's instructions, install the pull chains and then screw the switch housing in place.

  Loosen the thumbscrews in the light shade brackets, insert the lamp shade into the base of the bracket and gently tighten the thumbscrews. Install the light bulbs.

• Step 10 Restore power

  Turn on the circuit breaker. To test the fan, turn on the wall switch and use the pull chains to control the motor speed and the light.

  Donate the old light fixture to a Habitat for Humanity store or other resale store for building materials.

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