Ceiling Fan Replacement

One of the most common jobs I get calls for as a local electrician is replacing an existing ceiling fan or installing ceiling fans in place of existing light fixtures. Typically, I ask the customer to select and provide the lighting, whether it be a fan or just a fixture, so that the fixture is to your design tastes. While replacing a ceiling fan is pretty straight-forward, there are a few considerations to take into account.

Here are some things you should consider when selecting a fan for your home:

• Ceiling height: If your ceilings are less than 9 feet in height or less, consider a "hugger" or "low profile" design. This means that the motor mounts flush against the ceiling. The blades should never be less than 7' from the floor. and a tall person should be able to walk under the fan. Ceilings over 10' can use a down rod mount. The Light Kit will often add to the overall height of the fan. Home Depot has a very useful guide for sizing ceiling fans.

• Room size: Again, referring to Home Depot's fan sizing guide, select the diameter of the fan. If you were satisfied with the existing fan size, consider getting the same size. If the fan is a new install, use the guide to select an appropriate fan.

• Means of Control: How do you want to control your fan? Lutron makes great fan/light controllers, but these require two separate "hot wires" to the fan from the box. Many fans come with remote controls now. Ideal for on the nightstand of your bedroom. These only require 1 hot wire from the switch to the box. Many fans are still offered with pull chains. In older homes, especially in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, you will find that there is constant power at the ceiling, requiring a pull chain or remote setup.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

The National Electric Code requires a ceiling fan to be mount to a box rated to support a 50lb fan. Here is where it can get tricky. It is very common to find that a DIYer or Handyman has installed a ceiling fan on a non-fan rated box. This is especially the case when the home was built prior to the 1990's. Houses built since the 1990's often had fan boxes installed in many rooms.

I like to ascertain where the customer lives on the initial phone call, and if their home is located in an older part of town, prepare the customer for the possibility that we will have to retrofit the electrical box in the ceiling for a fan-rated box. It does also happen that sometimes boxes in early 2000's era tract homes are not fan-rated.

The 2020 National Electric Code which New Jersey adopted in 2022 requires fan boxes in all habitable rooms where a ceiling fan may be hung later, which is a good idea and should eliminate this problem going forward.

Enjoy Your Summer!

Daniel McCaffrey

Mc Caffrey Electrical Contracting LLC Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865

NJ LIC #18728