Every home does not have ceiling fans, and older homes specifically do not contain them. If you have a home without ceiling fans but you want to add them, you can use a good trick to save money as well as time. And if your room in which you want to make an addition of a fan has a lighting fixture, it is more likely that you will replace the light with a ceiling fan.
Here’s how you can tell if a light fixture can support a ceiling fan:
- Switch off the power source to the light.
- Check the package of the fan to determine its weight.
- Examine the electrical box to find out how it is supported.
A lighting fixture that is compatible with a ceiling fan will make for a great DIY project. If you have a weak light fixture, installing your new unit yourself can be difficult. This guide will help you to know the facts about a light fixture to ceiling fan conversion, go through this article to know more.
#1. Turn Off the Light’s Power Source
The first thing is to make sure that the power is off the light before you involve with any wires or fixtures. Apart from that, you need to ensure that your hands should be dry. After cutting the power to the light, remove the light and inspect the electrical box visually.
The electrical box contains information inside it that shows how much weight the box can bear or support. It entirely depends on the age of the electrical box, and how new it is, the information may specify that it can bear the weight of a conventional fan.
If the electrical box permits you that it can support a ceiling fan, you should check the box integrity by inspecting it. This entirely depends on the age of the house, how old the house is, if the house is too old, the electrical box may be worn out and will not be able to operate at full strength.
If after inspecting the electrical box, you have any doubts, it is my suggestion to install a new box.
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#2. Determine the Fan’s Weight by Examining the Packaging
After finding out the total weight that the electrical box is made for support, it is time to discover the total weight of the ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are of different types which is why the exact weight cannot be universal.
If the electrical box specifies that it is supported for ceiling fans, it does not give the authority to install all type of fans there.
The weight of a typical residential ceiling fan will be between 15 and 50 pounds (6.8 – 22.6 kg). Standard electrical boxes, even the boxes that approve the weight of ceiling fans cannot handle over 50 pounds (22.6 kg).
It also depends on the type of electrical box and this can be a rough idea, but only the written information on the electrical box will finalize it. The ideal way to do in electrical work is to read and trust the given instructions.
If the electrical box is approved for a ceiling fan, but your desired ceiling fan weight more than 50 pounds (22.6 kg), I would recommend to consult a professional before you get started with the installation.
If they inspect the electrical box and tell you to go ahead, you can be certain that the box will handle the weight of your fan.
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#3. Check Around the Electrical Box To See How It’s Supported
After finding out the support capabilities of your existing electrical box, the next step is to examine it to find out how the electrical box is being supported. This process may get you dirty and you will crawl around in the attic if there is one above the room of the old light kit.
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Most of time light fixtures are fastened with nails to a joist above the ceiling. Often, it is not a big thing for most light fixtures, but always it is not. Sometimes, it is not strong enough to support the weight of a unit running at high speed.
The fan will run and rock slightly in spinning, which can result in the loosing of the nails with the passage of time.
To support a light fixture, you can use another solution that is, nail a piece of wood between the two studs and screw the electrical box to the piece of wood.
This a much strongest method to secure an electrical box and will maintain its integrity significantly. An electrical box fixed in this way and having the ability to support a ceiling fan can be an ideal choice for you.
You will have to examine the integrity of the joists too. In older houses, termite damage is common, and if the beams that the electrical box is affixed have damage, it is wise to use another source of support.
If there is not enough information you find related to the electrical box, you can conclude that it is not strong enough to install a ceiling fan.
When it comes to dealing with the construction and electrical work, it is always better to be safe than sorry. The worst thing you can do is add a ceiling fan in that electrical box that does not support it. Even though the fan may remain installed for a short period, but it is not permanent.
The longer the fan spins and rocks, the chances are great that it will become loose and fall. If that is not the case, another possible end result is that the electrical box will fall fully or partially through the ceiling, resulting drywall damage.
It can be an expensive and messy mistake. It could also be harmful if the ceiling fan drops on top of someone under it.
Final Words
Installing a ceiling fan in an existing light fixture box is ideal if you can do it all by yourself, saving money as well as time. However, there is no assurance of it every time, it is important to examine the electrical box to determine its capabilities and integrity.
It will be dangerous to hang a ceiling fan with an electrical box not supporting its weight. So, it is better to be safe than sorry and get help and assistance from a licensed handyman to ensure. As a result, you will enjoy your new ceiling fan with peace of mind and without any doubts.