Purchasing a home or living in one for a long time allows the homeowner to update and upgrade. One of the many exciting things about owning a home is making it your own. Additionally, there are constant upgrades to technology and new designs. As a homeowner, being able to make changes to light fixtures, countertops, appliances, and ceiling fans are just a few of the fun changes. With these changes come projects that require you to remove the old ones to replace them with new ones. Removing your ceiling fans for new updated ones is just one of those project ideas. Wondering how to remove a ceiling fan? Turning the power off and disconnecting each part is a start. Call an electrician if you’re not sure.
Let’s take a look below at some more details regarding the removal of ceiling fans.
Why Would I Need To Remove My Ceiling Fan?
Removing a ceiling fan is typically due to the need for an upgrade. As technology gets enhanced over the years, new ceiling fan designs have come out and are great upgrades. Additionally, homeowners like to enhance the aesthetics of their homes. Replacing a ceiling fan could change the way a room looks and how it feels.
What Tools Will I Need?
Any project that a homeowner or professional takes on requires tools and/or materials. Let’s look below at what tools you might need before removing your ceiling fan.
- Voltage tester – This is needed to ensure that there is no power to the ceiling fan. It is keeping you from getting electrocuted.
- Tall ladder – In some cases, the ceiling fan is attached to an elevated ceiling. You will need a ladder that extends out to access the ceiling fan.
- Screwdrivers – Having both a flat head and a Phillips head screwdriver will allow you to remove the necessary screws to disconnect the ceiling fan from its mounting bracket.
What Are My Steps?
When it comes to projects, they all have instructions or directions to follow. Removing a ceiling fan is no different. Following these instructions not only ensures the job is done correctly but also ensures your safety. Let’s take a look below at the steps to follow for removing a flush-mounted ceiling fan.
- Turn off the power – Go to the circuit breaker and flip the breaker switch that is associated with the room where the ceiling fan is located. Then, return to the room and test the lights and fan to see if they turn on. If they do not turn on, then you have successfully shut off the power to that room.
- Remove the lights – Take the globes off and unscrew the light bulbs. Removing the light kits ensures that nothing breaks while you are disconnecting the main unit.
- Remove the blades – Use your screwdriver and disconnect the ceiling fan blades from the ceiling fan unit. Removing the fan blades allows you easier access to the electrical components of the fan.
- Remove the canopy – The canopy is attached to the mounting bracket. Remove the screws so that you can lower the canopy and remove it from the mounting bracket. Use the ladder to support the fan or have a second person assist you by holding the loose fan.
- Disconnect the wires – Unscrew the wire nuts from the wires in the ceiling to the wires in the fan. Once you have disconnected the wires from each other, reattach the wire nuts to the ceiling wires.
- Remove the fan – In some cases, there will be a safety chain. Disconnect the chain and lower the fan to the ground.
- Remove the mounting bracket – Using your screwdriver, remove the screws that keep the mounting bracket attached to the electrical box. Once you have disconnected the mounting bracket, re-screw the screws into the electrical box for later use. Keep in mind that in some cases the mounting bracket is kept in place by nuts that are threaded onto permanent bolts that extend out from the electrical box.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you know how to remove a ceiling fan you can read up on if you can use a dimmer switch on a ceiling fan. It is highly likely that if you are removing a ceiling fan, you are replacing it with a new and more updated one. It is not recommended that you add extra features to the ceiling fan that you purchase.
Next, be sure to understand what makes a lightbulb explode. Having this information will keep you safe while you remove your ceiling fan. Be sure that there is no power to the ceiling fan while you remove it.
Lastly, if you have installed smart LED bulbs, you will want to understand how they work. Knowing what it takes to reset the smart bulbs is important for your safety. You don’t want to come home to a dark place because the smart bulbs are acting up and not communicating properly with their applications or network.
When Do I Call A Professional?
Dealing with ceiling fans can be a rather easy task for most homeowners. However, when you consider the electrical part of the project, most homeowners will defer to a licensed electrician. Calling on a licensed electrician is a great idea. They will have the tools and equipment necessary to remove the ceiling fan. Additionally, call on your local home inspection team to see where you can make upgrades and changes that make sense for your home.
Conclusion
If you aren’t sure how to remove a ceiling fan, you shouldn’t just risk it. Dealing with electrical wiring can be problematic for many homeowners. Older homes have older wiring setups that might not be as easy to determine which wire does what. Calling on a licensed electrician to get the job done right the first time saves you time and money. Also, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can recommend a reputable licensed electrician and recommend the proper upgrades. Reach out to Alpha building inspections for a full home inspection in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and surrounding areas.
