7 Steps on How to Install a Ceiling Fan Where No Fixture Exists

Last Updated on November 11, 2021

Want to install a ceiling fan in your room without any fixtures? Don’t worry – all you need is some tools and step-by-step guidance and you will be good to go. When you are installing a ceiling fan, the hardest step is wiring it into your electrical system, particularly if there isn’t an existing fan fixture in place.

In this article, we will tell you how to install a ceiling fan where no fixture exists in simple and easy steps.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Install a Ceiling Fan Where No Fixture Exists | Step-by-Step Guide

Before you start working, you need to make sure that the power is off. Moreover, you have to wear safety gear such as a safety helmet, glasses, etc. to ensure that you are protected in case of an unforeseen accident.

Things You Will Need

• Brace
• Electrical Box
• Ceiling Fan
• Wire Cutter
• Screw Drivers
• Electrical Cutter
• Voltage Tester
• Wires
• Safety Gear

1. Choose the Fan

We live in a digital age and are blessed with plenty of useful gadgets. Even though ceiling fans are not new, Wi-Fi-controlled, temperature-sensitive, etc. ceiling fans certainly are. You can choose the ceiling fan which suits your needs and budget.

Moreover, you have to check whether you can install the high-tech fan on your own, or will you need to call in a professional.

2. Figure out the Location

For placing a ceiling fan, the perfect place is in the ceiling’s center. However, this doesn’t work for every space. Whether there is another floor or simply an attic, there are parallel joists behind the sheetrock in the ceiling.

You will need to cut or drill a hole through the sheetrock. Therefore, be very careful as you cut between the parallel joists. Since the joists are load-bearing, you will be able to connect the fan brace and not worry about the fan’s weight.

The size of the hole will depend on the electrical box’s design that you will be using. Generally, the braces and the box come together. Place the box on the ceiling. With the help of a sharpie, trace around it.

If you have an attic, you will only need to cut one simple hole. In case there is another floor over your room, you will need to cut multiple holes with the help of an eclectic cutter.

3. Locate the Source of Power

Your ceiling fan can’t work without electricity. Therefore, you have to connect it with a power source. If there is a wall switch in your room, you can use that. As per the type of fan switch you use, you can expand the wall switch.

Before working with live wires, ensure that you have turned the power off from the circuit breaker. Even after turning the circuit breaker off, use a  tester before touching the wires. It never hurts to be careful, folks!

4. Install the Wires

Running wires is not hard. In case the breaker is 20 amps, then you can use 12 gauge wires. If the breaker is of 15 amps, you can use 14 gauge wires. If there is an accessible attic on top of the room, you have to connect a wire with the source.

After that, simply get it through the hole that you have created. In case there is another floor on top of your room, then you will have to drill several holes in the wall where you will have the switches as well as the sheetrock.

Run the wire parallel to the wall. Then go through the hole in the ceiling.

5. Install the Brace

The brace will dampen any vibrations from the fan. Moreover, it will also carry the fan’s weight. The installation procedures for each type of brace are different. Check the box that came with your brace.

There will be an instructions manual inside. It is better to buy the brace and the electrical box together, instead of purchasing them separately so that you won’t face any problems with screws, mounts alignment, etc.

Don’t go for plastic electrical boxes as they will not work well with heavy fans. It is tempting to figure things out for yourself, but we recommend that you follow the instructions in the manual to the tee as you attach the brace properly to the joists.

6. Connect the Wires

To connect the wires, you have to follow the wiring diagram given in the manual. If you think that you are not competent enough, you can call in a professional as well, but trust us, this is a fairly simple task.

If you know a bit about parallel wiring, you will be good to go. Make sure that you don’t switch the neutral wire instead of the live one. If you do this, your fan will get power even when you have turned it off.

7. Attach the Fan

Now is the time to attach your fan to the electrical box. The way a fan mounts, and how you will connect it to the box, will vary according to the make & model of the fan. Usually, the points for mounting on the fan bracket and the box are standardized.

It all comes down to connecting them with the help of screws. Tug the bracket slightly to make sure the connection is solid.

That’s it – you have successfully installed a ceiling fan with no fixtures!

Cost of Installing a Fan

Installing a fan isn’t an expensive job, especially if you do it yourself. Apart from the fan, you will need high-quality braces with metal electrical boxes. Moreover, you will have almost 15 ft. of wire or more, depending upon the width of your bedroom.

Besides that, you will also have to get fan control switches. If you get simple switches it will cost you less. If you go for high-tech, Wi-Fi-activated switches, they will be expensive, of course. All of this will cost around $80 to $300, not more.

However, if you get the help of a professional, then you will have to pay their charges as well.

Safety and Precautions

As you have seen from our guide, installing a ceiling fan where no fixture exists is not a hard task. However, without the proper safety measures, accidents can happen. For instance, you can get an electric shock when you are doing the wiring or you can drop the fan on your foot when you are mounting it,

Therefore, it is very important that you take precautionary measures before installing the fan. The first and foremost thing is to switch off the circuit breaker, as we mentioned earlier. Moreover, you should wear rubber gloves to insulate yourself.

Before you start working, clear the space and keep your kids and pets out of the room, if you have any. Moreover, we recommend that you wear a safety helmet and thick sturdy safety shoes so that in case you drop the fan in the middle of installation, you won’t get hurt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I install a ceiling fan in place of light?

Yes, you can install a ceiling fan in place of light. Since electrical wiring is already present there, the task will become simpler and easier. However,  remember that you can’t hang the ceiling fan from the electrical box.

The current electrical box will not be able to support the weight of the fan, so you will have to get a new one.

Q. Can I install a ceiling fan without professional help?

Yes, you can certainly install a ceiling fan on your own. Simply follow the steps that we have mentioned above and you will be good to go. However, if you think that you need some additional help, you can always call a professional.

Q. Is the location of a ceiling fan really important?

Yes, the location of a ceiling fan does matter and is important. Ceiling fans are heavy. They can weigh around 15 to 20 pounds. It is important to select a location that has load-bearing joists. Otherwise, the ceiling fan will become a safety risk and hazard.

Conclusion

With the help of a ceiling fan, you can make your home a lot more comfortablemake your home a lot more comfortable. Whether you want to circulate warm air in the winters or want to get away from the smoldering heat in the summers, a ceiling fan is your best friend.

You can go for classic fans or choose high-tech ones that you can control with your phone as well. Go through this guide on how to install a ceiling fan where no fixture exists and make your life a lot easier.

Here’s to comfortable living, folks!