Ceiling fans are great for keeping air moving in your house. They cool you down in summer and help distribute warm air in winter. But installing them properly is more complicated than people think. Wrong installation can be dangerous and cause problems down the track.
We install ceiling fans all over Christchurch. Done hundreds of installs in bedrooms, living rooms, outdoor areas. Know how to do it safely and make sure fan works properly without wobbling or making noise.
Why Use Licensed Electrician For Fan Installation
Some people reckon ceiling fan installation is easy DIY job. Just bolt it to ceiling and connect wires right? Wrong. Theres heaps that can go wrong.
Electrical work requires licensed electrician by law. Connecting fan to power is electrical work. Doing it yourself is illegal and voids your house insurance if somthing goes wrong.
Ceiling structure needs proper support. Fan weighs fair bit and spins creating force. Ceiling gotta be strong enough and fan gotta be mounted right or it falls down.
Wiring needs doing correctly. Wrong connections cause fires, shocks, or fan dosnt work properly. Live and neutral wires mixed up can damage fan or be dangerous.
Balancing and installation technique affects how fan runs. Poor install causes wobbling, noise, vibration. Professional install means smooth quiet operation.
Customer in Hornby tried installing fan themselves. Used plasterboard fixing instead of proper mounting to joist. Fan ran for two weeks then ripped out of ceiling in middle of night. Lucky it didnt hit anyone. We installed it properly on proper mounting bracket into solid timber. No problems since.
Types Of Ceiling Fans
Different ceiling fans suit different situations. Choosing right type matters for performance and appearance.
Standard ceiling fans are most common. Motor in middle, blades around it, downrod attaches to ceiling. Work in most rooms with normal ceiling height.
Low profile fans mount close to ceiling without downrod. Good for low ceilings where you dont want fan hanging down too far. Still move air but not as efficiently as fans with downrods.
Fans with lights combine ceiling light and fan in one unit. Popular in bedrooms and living rooms where you want both functions. Light can be separate switch or on same switch as fan.
Remote control fans let you adjust speed and light from remote. Handy when switch is inconvenient location or you want to adjust from bed.
Outdoor fans built to handle weather. Sealed motors and rust resistant materials. Good for covered decks and patios.
DC motor fans are more efficient than old AC motor fans. Cost bit more but use way less power and usually quieter.
Choosing Right Size Fan
Fan size matters for proper air circulation. Too small doesnt move enough air. Too big can be overwhelming and look weird.
Small rooms up to about 12 square meters need 900-1100mm diameter fan. Bedrooms and small living spaces usually fit this range.
Medium rooms 12-18 square meters work well with 1200-1300mm fan. Most living rooms and bigger bedrooms fall here.
Large rooms over 18 square meters need 1400mm+ fan. Big living areas and open plan spaces benefit from larger fans.
Outdoor areas often need bigger fans cause youre trying to move air in semi-open space. 1400mm or bigger usually better for covered decks.
Multiple smaller fans can work better than one huge fan in really big spaces. Two 1200mm fans might give better coverage than single massive fan.
Ceiling Height And Downrod Selection
How far fan hangs from ceiling affects performance and safety. Getting this right is important.
Standard ceiling height around 2.4 meters works with most fans. Blades should be minimum 2.1 meters from floor for safety and code compliance.
Low ceilings under 2.4 meters need low profile fan that mounts close to ceiling. Downrod fans hang too low and people hit their heads.
High ceilings need longer downrods to bring fan down to effective height. Fan thats too close to high ceiling dosnt circulate air at occupant level properly.
Ideal blade height is about 2.4-2.7 meters from floor for best air circulation. This puts fan in good position to move air through living space.
Sloped ceilings need special mounting brackets that let fan hang level even though ceiling is angled. We install these fairly often in houses with cathedral ceilings.
House in Papanui had 3.5 meter ceilings in living room. Customer bought standard fan with short downrod. Would've been useless mounted that high. We sourced longer downrod to bring fan down to proper height. Now it actually moves air where people are sitting.
Electrical Requirements
Ceiling fans need proper electrical supply to work safely and reliably.
Existing ceiling light often has power already. If your replacing ceiling light with fan this is usually straightforward. Just need to check wiring is suitable and mounting is strong enough.
No existing power means running new cable from light switch. This involves fishing cable through ceiling, installing new junction box, connecting everything properly.
Separate fan and light switches are better than single switch if fan has light. Lets you run fan without light or light without fan. Requires two switch setup.
Three wire cable needed for separate fan and light control. Two wires plus earth. Single cable can only switch one function.
Wall controls vs pull chains is personal preference. Wall switch or remote more convenient but pull chain works and is simpler to install.
We run proper cable, install correct switches, connect everything to code. All work is certified and compliant.
Ceiling Structure And Mounting
Proper mounting is critical for safety. Fan gotta be secured properly or it comes down.
Timber joists are ideal mounting point. Screwing mounting bracket directly into solid timber joist provides strong secure fixing.
Finding joist sometimes tricky. We use stud finder or knock test to locate timber. Centre of room often dosnt have joist right where you want it.
Between joists requires installing mounting bracket that spans between two joists. Screws into timber either side providing solid fixing even though theres no joist in exact spot.
Plasterboard alone cannot support ceiling fan. Plasterboard fixings not rated for dynamic load of spinning fan. They will fail eventually.
Older houses with lath and plaster ceilings need careful assessment. Sometimes timber is in different places than expected. May need to open ceiling to install proper mounting.
Concrete ceilings need special concrete fixings or mounting to timber battens that are already fixed to concrete. Concrete requires different approach than timber ceiling.
We assess ceiling structure, find proper fixing points, install mounting bracket securely. No shortcuts that compromise safety.
Installation Process
Professional ceiling fan installation follows specific steps. Heres how we do it properly.
Power isolation comes first. Turn off circuit breaker, test theres no power, lock out breaker so nobody turns it back on while were working.
Remove existing light if theres one. Disconnect wiring, remove fixture, check condition of junction box and wiring.
Check ceiling structure and mounting point. Verify theres solid timber or install proper mounting bracket if needed.
Install ceiling mounting bracket. This attaches to timber joists or spans between them. Gotta be level and secure.
Hang downrod and fan motor assembly. Downrod screws into mounting bracket and fan motor hangs from downrod.
Connect wiring inside canopy. Match up wires correctly, secure connections with wire nuts, ensure no exposed copper.
Attach fan blades to motor. Usually bolt on with screws. Make sure all blades are tight and secure.
Install light kit if fan has one. Connect light wiring, attach glass shade or light fitting.
Test operation before finishing up. Check fan spins all speeds, light works if applicable, no wobbling or weird noises.
Clean up and show customer how to use fan and any controls or remotes.
Typical installation takes 1-2 hours depending on complexity. Longer if we need to run new wiring or deal with difficult ceiling structure.
Common Installation Problems
Seen heaps of poorly installed fans over the years. These are problems that come up again and again.
Wobbling fan usually means blades not balanced properly or mounting not secure. Sometimes blades are bent or damaged. Other times mounting bracket is loose.
Noisy operation can be loose screws, dry bearings, or poor quality fan. Quality fans with good bearings run quietly when installed properly.
Fan spinning wrong direction is common mistake. Summer mode spins one way, winter mode spins other way. Wrong setting for season reduces effectiveness.
Insufficient airflow often means fan too small for room or mounted too high. Size and positioning matter for good air movement.
Lights flickering or not working properly indicates wiring issue. Loose connections or wrong wires connected together.
Fan falling from ceiling is worst case scenario. Always result of improper mounting. Never use plasterboard fixings for ceiling fans.
Got called to Riccarton house where fan wobbled so bad it was unusable. Previous installer hadnt tightened mounting bracket properly and one blade had bent screw. We remounted bracket securely, replaced damaged blade, balanced fan properly. Runs smooth now.
Balancing Ceiling Fans
Balanced fan runs smooth and quiet. Unbalanced fan wobbles and makes noise.
Factory balance usually pretty good. Most fans come balanced from manufacturer. But installation and shipping can knock them out.
Blade pitch needs to be consistent. All blades should be same angle. We check this with measuring tool or by eye if experienced.
Blade weight matters. If one blade is heavier than others fan will wobble. Sometimes blade is damaged or has screw in different place affecting weight.
Balancing kit included with most fans. Little weights that clip onto blades to correct wobble. We use these if fan has minor wobble after installation.
Process involves running fan, identifying which blade causes wobble, adding weight to correct blade, testing again. Might take few goes to get it perfect.
Some wobble is normal. Tiny bit of movement is fine. Big obvious wobbling is problem that needs fixing.
Outdoor Ceiling Fan Installation
Outdoor fans have specific requirements different from indoor fans.
Damp or wet rating required for outdoor locations. Indoor rated fan will corrode and fail outside. Check fan rating before buying.
Weather protection for electrical connections is critical. Junction box gotta be weatherproof. Connections need to be protected from moisture.
Stainless or powder coated components resist rust better than standard finish. Coastal areas especially need corrosion resistant fans.
Mounting to solid structure important outside. Decking timber or exposed beams often easier to fix to than interior ceiling.
Wind affects outdoor fans. In very exposed locations fan might not work well cause wind overpowers it.
RCD protection required for outdoor electrical. Circuit breaker must be RCD type for safety.
Installed fan on covered deck in Sumner. Close to sea so salt air is concern. Used marine grade stainless fan with sealed motor. Weatherproof junction box with sealed connections. Been running for years without any corrosion issues.
Fans With Lights
Ceiling fans with lights are popular but need proper wiring setup.
Separate switches for fan and light is best setup. Lets you use each independently. Needs three core cable from switch.
Single switch controls both fan and light together. Simpler to wire but less flexible. You gotta have both on or both off.
Pull chain controls on fan itself let you adjust speed and turn light on off. Old school but works without fancy wiring.
Remote control gives full control without wall switches. Popular in bedrooms where getting out of bed to adjust fan is annoying.
LED light kits are way better than old halogen. Use less power, run cooler, last longer. Most modern fans come with LED as standard.
Light brightness matters. Some fan lights are too dim to be useful as main room light. Check lumens if light will be primary lighting.
Winter And Summer Operation
Ceiling fans work year round if used correctly. Direction matters depending on season.
Summer mode spins counter clockwise looking up from below. Creates downdraft that makes you feel cooler through wind chill effect.
Winter mode spins clockwise. Pushes warm air that rises to ceiling back down to living level. Helps heating work more efficiently.
Direction switch usually on motor housing. Little switch you flip to change rotation. Some remotes have button to change direction.
Lower speed in winter works better. Dont want strong breeze in winter just gentle circulation of warm air.
Running fan with heating saves money. Distributes heat better so heating dosnt work as hard. Specially good with heat pumps that blow warm air up.
Heaps of people dont know about direction switch. They think fan only works in summer. Showing customers how to use winter mode is part of our installation service.
Energy Efficiency
Ceiling fans are cheap to run compared to other cooling options.
Modern DC motor fans use about 10-30 watts depending on speed. Older AC motor fans use 50-80 watts. DC fans save money over life of fan.
Compared to aircon ceiling fan uses fraction of power. Aircon might use 1000+ watts. Fan uses 20 watts. Big difference on power bill.
Wind chill effect makes you feel cooler without actually cooling air. Can raise thermostat couple degrees in summer cause fan makes you feel cooler.
Energy Star rated fans meet efficiency standards. Usually DC motor with good blade design. Cost bit more but pay back in power savings.
Running costs are minimal. Even running 8 hours per day only costs few dollars per month in electricity. Compare that to aircon running same time.
Maintenance And Care
Ceiling fans need minimal maintenance but some care helps them last longer.
Dusting blades regularly prevents buildup. Dust affects balance and makes fan look dirty. Quick wipe every few weeks is enough.
Checking screws once or twice per year. Vibration can loosen screws over time. Tight screws prevent wobbling and noise.
Lubrication usually not needed. Modern fans have sealed bearings that dont need oiling. Older fans might need drop of oil occasionally.
Cleaning light globes or shades when you notice they're dirty. Improves light output and appearance.
Checking wobble if it develops. Could be loose screw, damaged blade, or something stuck to blade. Usually easy fix.
Most quality fans last 10-15 years with minimal care. Cheap fans might only last few years. Spending bit more on quality fan is worth it.
Cost Of Ceiling Fan Installation
Installation cost depends on complexity and what wiring already exists.
Simple replacement of existing ceiling light with fan runs about 150-250 install. Power already there, just swap fixtures.
New installation where theres no existing power costs more maybe 300-450. Need to run cable, install switches, more labor involved.
Difficult installs with access issues or structural complications can be 450-600. Might need extra mounting work or dealing with tricky ceiling.
Fan cost is separate. Entry level fans start around 100, mid range 200-400, quality fans 400-800+. You get what you pay for.
We quote installation based on your situation. Covers labor, mounting hardware, wiring materials, testing, cleanup.
Why Choose WeDo For Fan Installation
We install ceiling fans properly and safely all over Christchurch.
Licensed electricians doing all electrical work. Legal, safe, properly certified.
Proper mounting into structure not dodgy plasterboard fixings. Your fan stays up where it belongs.
Balanced installation means smooth quiet operation. We take time to get it right.
All wiring done to code with proper protection. RCD safety, correct connections, neat finish.
We explain how to use fan for both summer and winter operation. Get full benefit from your investment.
Clean professional job. We clean up after ourselves and leave your place tidy.
If you want ceiling fan installed properly give us a call. Well assess your ceiling, recommend right fan for space, install it safely and make sure it works perfectly.