install ceiling fans and whole house fans

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initial requirements:

  • You need a full attic with adequate ventilation to install a whole house fan

materials needed:

CEILING FAN

  • Multi-speed ceiling fan—use a multi-speed model sized according to the room. An ENERGY STAR rated fan will use less energy and provide better air flow.
  • To determine which size of ceiling fan you need, measure the room where the ceiling fan will be installed. If the room is 75 sq. ft. or less, use a fan size from 29 to 36 inches in diameter, rooms 76-144 sq. ft. use a 36 to 42 inch fan, rooms 144-225 sq. ft. use a 44 inch fan, and rooms 225 to 400 sq. ft. use a 50 to 54 inch fan.
  • Cable clamps –– these screw into the electric box and clamp the incoming wire in place. Buy six to ten.
  • Electric box to which ceiling fan is connected –– the box should connect directly to the ceiling joist.
  • Switch box, multi-speed switch, and switch cover-plate for fan –– if needed (many are operated by a pull switch that hangs from the fan).

EXTRA MATERIALS FOR WHOLE HOUSE FAN

  • Multi-speed whole house fan –– size based on the volume of the area you wish to cool. For example, a house with 2,000 square feet of area to cool and 8-foot ceilings would have a volume of 16,000 cubic feet. The fan should deliver 1/2 to 1 air change per minute; that is, every 1 to 2 minutes the volume of air in the house should be replaced. In the example, you need a fan that produces 8,000 to 16,000 cubic feet of air flow per minute, or 8,000 to 16,000 cfm. The cfm rating should be printed on the box.
  • In addition to the wiring materials listed for a ceiling fan, you will need the following for a whole house fan:
    • Extra wire nuts and cable clamps
    • Temperature-sensitive safety switch (firestat) –– to keep fan from running if a fire occurs in house
    • Timer switch –– keeps you from having to get out of bed in the middle of the night to turn off the fan
    • 2” x 8” or 2” x 6” lumber –– for framing the opening where the fan will be mounted. The lumber should be the same size as the ceiling joists.
    • Nails for framing opening
    • Inner tube or other rubber material (optional) –– gasket for the whole house fan

tools needed:

Ceiling fan

  • Wiring inside electric box
  • Voltage meter or circuit tester
  • Utility knife
  • Wire stripper
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Carpenter’s tool belt (see Rules for Tools section in Chapter 3 of Home Energy Projects Manual)
  • Ladder

Whole house fan

  • Above tools, plus:
  • Circular saw or reciprocating saw
  • Framing square

required skills:

Ceiling fan – Basic electrical wiring
Whole house fan – Basic carpentry and basic electrical wiring

Never do your own wiring unless you have prior experience and total confidence in your abilities.

annual energy savings: up to 2/3 of cooling bill

average time required:
Ceiling fan – 1 to 3 hours
Whole house fan – 8 to 16 hours

project steps:

INSTALLING CEILING FAN

  1. Read installation instructions before you leave the store to make sure the fan is appropriate for your house.
  2. Determine where you want the fan installed (e.g., center of the ceiling, over dining table, over bed, etc.). Also, determine the position of the switch to control the fan if necessary. Many fans are controlled by a pull cord just like that for a closet light.
  3. Determine the path for electric wiring. If substituting the fan for an existing overhead light, you can probably use the wiring inside the electric box for the light. Otherwise, the wire can extend to the main service panel or it may be connected to an outlet box in a seldom used circuit.
  4. If a new electric box is necessary, attach it to a joist in the attic.
  5. Run wiring to the box.
  6. Keep the circuit off and follow the instructions to hang the fan and connect the wiring into the electric box.

INSTALLING WHOLE HOUSE FAN

  1. Read the printed instructions that come with the fan. Determine the path for the electric wire. Because you must connect the temperature-sensitive switch and timer switch, the wiring is usually more complex than for a ceiling fan.
  2. You will need to start by framing a structure on which the fan will sit. Use the printed instructions and follow steps 3 through 7 below.
  3. Use a framing square as a guide to draw lines on the ceiling for the location of the fan. Try to locate the fan between two ceiling joists –– plan the location so as to cut at most, one joist. After checking to make sure you will not cut any wires or other objects in the attic, carefully use a keyhole saw, circular saw, or reciprocating saw to cut the opening.
  4. Remove the ceiling within the opening to expose the attic. Be sure not to damage any of the interior finish outside the dimensions of the fan.
  5. Cut any joists that extend over the fan opening. Cut 2” x 8” or 2” x 6” framing the hole in between the joists.
  6. Install framing.
  7. Install the fan on top of the framing; consider inserting a rubber gasket, such as a piece of inner tube, between the framing and the joists to reduce vibration and noise.
  8. Run wiring using the wiring diagram that comes with the fan.
  9. Test the fan.
  10. Install the louvered cover over the fan.
  11. Use insulation board or other material to seal the louvered cover in winter to reduce infiltration, or build an insulation box to fit over the fan during the winter. There are some commercial whole house fan covers available.