7 Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Ceiling Fan On Low Ceiling

A ceiling fan keeps your house interiors cool during the hot and humid summer months. The ceiling fans can keep your family cool, fresh and comfortable and also save electric bills to a very large extent.
The pleasure and comfort you get from the ceiling fans largely depends on the height and places where you install them. Thus, you always need to avoid certain mistakes while installing the ceiling fans at low ceiling.

7 of the major mistakes to be avoided at the time of installing a ceiling fan any low heights are discussed below.

1. Avoid errors in measuring the ceiling slopes
Always determine the ceiling slopes by maintaining a 2 feet level against the ceiling and then, measure the vertical distance from that level to the ceiling. Then, divide that measured number by 2. Thus, you will get the grip over the 12 inches horizontal run or 3/12 slope. The ceiling fans provide you comfort by circulating cool air in summer and warm breeze in the winter months. Thus, the location and placements of the fans are very essential factors for you before installing them.

2. Forgetting to knock out the old boxes
You always need to knock out the old box before fixing. First, shut off the main panel power and remove the light fixtures. Then, knock the electrical box without the framing. You need to do this with a wood block and a hammer. After that, pull the electric cable out of the box, through the hole of the ceiling. Leave the old box in the cavity of the ceiling unless you can remove it easily through the hole. Before starting the work, never forget to shut off the circuit breaker that feeds the light fixture and switch. Always make sure to check all the wires with voltage testers to ensure that these are all off before the work starts. You always need to take these precautions to avail any kind of electric shock hazards.

3. Not installing a new fan hanger bracket and box
Installing a brand new fan hanger bracket and box is utmost important while fixing a fan on low ceiling. In order to install the new box, feed the existing electric wire through the cable clamp at the top of the new metallic box. Then, slip the box over the screws and tighten the nuts in order to clamp the box.
Then, shaft it with a nut driver. Finally clamp grounding wire loop three quarters around the grounding screw and then, tighten the screw. Never forget to remove the existing metal or plastic electric box. Then, install a “fan brace”, designed to hold the ceiling fans.

4. Not assembling the fan properly before hanging it
Proper assembling of the different parts of the ceiling fan is one of the most essential factors before hanging it. You always need to insert the right size down rod for your fan. Place the motor up at the right side and then, thread the wire through the fan down rod into the mounting collars.
It is more advisable for you to seek the help of fan assembly guidebook or manual in order to do this home improvement project perfectly.

5. Improper wiring of the fan, switch and fan light
Proper wiring of the ceiling fans is one of the major factors while installing them. First, connect the bare ground wires from the electric box to the green ground wires placed on the bracket with the help of a wire connector. Then, connect the natural wire to the black hot wire from the motor. Then, fold them neatly into the box. Use all the essential tools and equipments needed to install the fan. Some of these essential tools include Hammer, 4-in-1 screwdriver, Tape measure, Wrench set, Nut driver, Wire stripper/cutter, Non-contact voltage tester and Wrench set. The ready equipment for the work include Ceiling fan, box assembly, Switch, Fan brace and Wire connectors.

6. Not using the new electronic controls
Using the new electronic controls can always save you from additional wirings. Most of the fan installations are simple retrofits within the existing electrical boxes. Usually, only one electrical cable connects the fixture to the single wall switch. You can always leave the switch and also use it to turn the ceiling fan on and off. Then, you can use the pull chains to control the speed of the fan and light. You always need to use the electronic controls for higher quality fans.

These high quality ceiling fans give you the adding of the radio receiver kit option. This receiver accepts the signals from the special wall switch to control the light and fan separately without any additional wiring.
These receivers also accept signals from handheld remote control devices. Thus, you can operate multiple fans and lights with the help of these devices. All these facilities are available to you with the electronic control system of the ceiling fans.

Thus, it is always advisable for you to avail this system while installing fans on low ceiling. While you shop for a new ceiling fan, it is always advisable to buy it from the top and the most reputed electrical brands in the industry. The blades of the fan must be utmost suitable with the shape and size of your room. The color of the fan should also match with your room walls for proper interior decorations. You also need to maintain the ceiling fans, color them and polish them regularly. Proper maintenance will increase the life of your ceiling fans.

7. Control the fans in a proper manner
There are 3 main choices to control the fans. Leave the pre-existing switches in a place and turn on one of them. Then, use the remote control device to control the lights and ceiling fans.
The second option is to use the existing switches and control the lights and fans independently with the help of the pull chains.

The third option is to disable one of the 3 way switches and rewire the other switch in order to get a wall-mounted electronic control. Always seek the help of an expert electrician while sorting out the wires, since it is a complex process.