Install Ceiling and Attic Fans

Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely to ensure proper assembly and operation. It's important to note that if the fan blades are less than a screwdriver's length away from the ceiling, you'll want to install the blades before hanging the fan.

To attach the fan blades, set the motor unit down where it will be stable. The styrofoam packing for the motor housing usually makes an excellent stabilizer on your worktable. Most fan blades have a two-pronged attachment, using screws that come through holes in the blades and into the flanges. These screws need to be drawn up securely, but not so tightly that the threads are damaged or the laminated blade material is crushed. On many fans, the flanges or prongs also need to be mounted to the motor housing. If this is the case, mount them before the flanges are mounted to the blades themselves.

First install the hanger bracket on the junction box with manufacturer-provided screws and lock washers. If no lock washers are supplied, you can purchase them at your local True Value store. Lock washers will help prevent fan vibration from loosening the screws over time.

Note: Depending on your fan, the hanger bracket may accept either a half-ball hanger or a hook-type hanger.

Next you'll have to wire the unit. Be sure to connect the black house wires to the black fan wires and the white house wires to the white fan wires. The fan should be electrically grounded to both the metal box. The grounding wires will be either green or bare copper. Attaching a green grounding pigtail (which grounds the fan to the metal box) to the box with a bonding screw will make your work easier. Use a twist-on wire connector to group the ground wires from the box, as well as the fan and the power supply together.

Once the fan is wired, the ceiling cover is slipped up to its full height and tightened in place.

Return power to the fixture at either the circuit breaker or fuse box. Then turn on the fan to be sure it operates properly.

Helpful Tip

If the fan wobbles when it's on, the blades might be unbalanced. To correct this, try interchanging two adjacent blades. If that doesn't work, take all the blades off and weigh each one on a food or postal scale. If any blade weighs less than the others, tape a soft object like a pencil eraser or modeling clay to the top center of the blade and make its weight the same as the others. Fan balancing kits with detailed instructions are also available. Once the blades are balanced, reinstall them and the fan should run smoothly.

First, you'll need to figure out where the fan is going to get power. The simplest way is to take power from any available light fixture or outlet in your attic.

Helpful Tips

Always wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from the insulation in your attic.

Because the attic is the hottest room in your house, try not to tackle this project on an extremely hot day.

Don't forget a work light and extension cord — you may not have much light up there.

Be careful where you step! That's the ceiling of the room beneath you between the wood joists, so lay a board between the joists as a work floor so you don't accidentally step through.

Working from the top down, remove the siding below the roof peak with a zipper tool, a hand tool for separating and refastening interlocking edges of siding sections. Center and level the template for the louvered vent. Following the manufacturer's instructions, bore a starter hole through the wall sheathing and cut the opening with a portable jigsaw or reciprocating saw. If you have an adequately sized louvered vent, skip to Step 5.

Provide framing or a plywood mounting board as directed by the manufacturer. You may have to do some additional cutting to the existing framing from the inside.

Using the screws provided by the manufacturer, secure the exterior accessory shutter before reinstalling the siding. Siding manufacturers are usually good sources for how-to information on siding installation and repair. Depending on the type of siding you have, you may want to consult the manufacturer for the proper steps.

Following the manufacturer's instructions, mount the fan to the framing or mounting board with screws.

Remove any knobs and the cover of the controller. This will allow you to secure the controller to the mounting plate or studs with screws, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for locating the unit. Do not use alternative controls (such as solid-state speed controls) that are not approved by the manufacturer.

All electrical work must be done in accordance with local codes. If you are not familiar with basic wiring procedures, you should hire a licensed electrician. Shut off the breaker or remove the fuse for the fan circuit; use a neon circuit tester to verify the power is turned off. Follow the manufacturer's wiring diagram to make the connection to your power supply.

Thermostats and humidistats are adjustable. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines to make the necessary adjustments.

Nice work. Now it's time to turn down your air conditioning and let your new ceiling fans and attic fan do their job. You'll soon start seeing the savings when cooling down your house in summer.