For your convenience, this post has links to Amazon.
In the summer, having a ceiling fan is a great way to keep cool. It can also be useful in the winter, to circulate the rising warm air around your home, thus spending less on heating.
You may want to install one but don’t have fixtures on the ceilings of your home. Let’s find out how to install a ceiling fan where no fixtures exist.
Note: Because this process involves installing new electrical wiring, our advice would be to hire a licensed electrician to get the installation done by a trained professional.
If you’re interested to know how it’s done, check out the guide and video below.
How to Install a Ceiling Fan Where No Fixtures Exist
Method 1: How to Install a Ceiling Fan with an Electrical Box
You will need:
- A ceiling fan fixture
- Proper support joists in the ceiling where you want your ceiling fan installed
- A hard wall drill with the proper attachments to drill through your ceiling
- Marker
- fan switch of your choice
- Fish tape
- Wiring
- Electrical tape
- Electrical staples
- Pair of wire strippers
- A razor knife
Step 1
This is the most important step for security reasons. Turn off electricity to the circuit by switching off the circuit breaker completely if you can’t locate the specific circuit that will eventually control the ceiling fan. When working with wiring, always double-check the electricity is not switched on.
Step 2
Determine the exact location of where your ceiling fan will go. Though the middle of the ceiling in the room you want the fan to be could seem like an obvious answer, sometimes other factors come into play than symmetry.
They can weigh between 15 and 50 pounds, so make sure it’s somewhere that has the proper support joists. Otherwise, once installed it could be very dangerous. Choose somewhere that is in between two support joists. Once you’ve settled on a safe location, mark the spot.
Step 3
In that same spot, drill a hole that is 1” in diameter, to fit in the wiring later on.
Step 4
Now, you can begin installing the electrical box that will allow the ceiling fan to function. Nail the electrical box to the joist. If you have two support joists, you’ll need a brace and saddle to install the electrical box for your ceiling fan. Here is how to install a brace and saddle electrical box support:
1. Create a hole in the ceiling in between the support joists.
2. Push it through the brace of the fan along with the electrical box.
3. Move a saddle into the brace and run the wiring along.
Step 5
You’ll now be able to install the switch that will control the fan. Wiring will need to run from the fan switch to where the ceiling fan is installed – you can use fish tape to pull the wiring through the walls and up to the fan, without having to drill any unnecessary holes.
Start at the switch box and use the fish tape to poke around and locate the first hole in the ceiling above. When you’ve run the fish tape, you’ll need to assess which are the right wires to pull through, to match the gauge of the switch box’s wiring.
Step 6
With electrical tape, you can attach your new wires to the fish tape and start fishing the wires through the switch box and into your ceiling. You should staple the wires every few feet. Make sure that you fasten over the wires and not through them, which could be dangerous, being a fire risk.
Step 7
Attach the new wires of the wall’s switch box to the corresponding ground wires, as well as the wires from inside the electrical box to the fan’s wiring.
Step 8
The next step is to mount the ceiling fan as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 9
Check the fan is working correctly by turning the circuit back on and switching the fan on.
So, to recap the process of installing a ceiling fan where no fixtures exist.
1. Turn off the main power from the circuit. Use a multimeter to check there is no electricity running through. Skimping on this step can result in serious safety hazards, such as electrocution, so be cautious.
2. Choose the right, safe location to hang your ceiling fan, where one or more joists can support the heavy fixture, which can weigh between 15 and 30 pounds.
3. Install the electrical box.
4. Wire the ceiling fan to the switch and the electrical box.
5. Mount the fan onto the ceiling.
6. Once you have completed all the wiring, put the circuit back on to check if the ceiling fan works.
That was how to install a ceiling fan where no fixtures exist. It seems to be quite a straightforward, simple and easy process. However, it is also a very dangerous one if done without enough precautions.
If you are not licensed to install electrical components safely, please don’t take any risks by performing this task alone. Do seek a licensed electrician to get the installation done by a trained professional.
It will take an electrician anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, depending on the type of ceiling fan you’re looking to install in your home and where you want it to be installed, to complete the installation.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local electrician to ask for a quote – though it might be more expensive than buying the materials and doing it yourself, the price of safety is immeasurable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is it to install a ceiling fan where no fixture exists?
The hardest part is installing the wiring. If you are not licensed to install electrical components safely, please don’t take any risks by performing this task alone. Do seek a licensed electrician to get the installation done by a trained professional.
How much does it cost to install a ceiling fan where there are no fixtures?
Taking into account the cost of the fan, and to install a ceiling fan where no fixture exists, the electrical box, the wiring, and the tools, it will cost you anywhere from hundreds of dollars to a few thousand, depending on where you are located. Because of its locality, it’s best to contact your local electricians for an accurate quote.
Will an electrician install a ceiling fan?
Yes. Contact your local electrician to get a quote. They will be able to install the ceiling fan without an original fixture without any danger.
How to Dehumidify a Room – 6 Easy Ways
How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner Without Removing It
How to Clean a Honeywell Fan – Follow the Step by Step Guide
How to Run Conduit through Exterior Wall – 6 Steps & Bonus Tips
