Condos In South West Florida

Ten Easy Tips for Installing a Ceiling Fan


You may be a do it yourself (DIY) expert, having installed countless ceiling fans in numerous homesboth yours and those of various family and friends. However, even though you have the basics down, every DIYer knows: theres always another trick out there to make the process a little easier. So although the following is not an exact step-by-step guide to installing a ceiling fan, this should give you a few hints to make the process a breeze!

1. When buying, remember that not all fans were created alike. In addition to price and style, some other factors to consider when buying your fan are:
Motor: more inexpensive fans often have an outer covering of thin metal, which increases the likelihood of rattles, clicks, hums, or buzzes during operation. Since many fans are installed in bedrooms, this can become an important consideration
Blades: Blade pitch can determine how effectively air is movedan optimum pitch is 14 degrees. Also ensure that blades are balanced to avoid wobble.
Lighting: As in any other lighting situation, keep in mind lighting that is appropriate to the rooms size and function.
Room size: Not surprisingly, fans and rooms both vary in size. Make sure they vary accordingly in your house! Fans usually come in seven sizes, ranging from 32" to 56" blade spans. Come to the store armed with room measurements and speak with a lighting representative.
Mounting: For best results, fan blades need to be a minimum of seven feet above the floor, and have 12" clearance below the ceiling. For lower ceilings, choose a close or low-ceiling mount fan. With higher ceilings, you can purchase a standard or angled mount with an extension down rod.
Bonus! For maximum effect, purchase a reversible fan that helps cool you in the summer and pushes warm air down from the ceiling in the winter to keep you comfortable year round.
2. Make a list and check it twice. At the most basic level, youll need the ceiling fan/light kit, screwdrivers, wire strippers, a circuit tester, pliers, and step ladder. If you need to replace the ceiling box, youll also need a new ceiling box, a hammer, and a drywall saw. Run through the installation process in your mind before actually picking up a tool to ensure that you have all the necessary componentsnothing is more frustrating than being stuck on a step ladder, holding up the ceiling fan, and realizing the tool you need is tucked away in the toolbox in the basement!
3. Inventory the fan as you unpack. As you take the fan out of its box, give yourself plenty of room to inventory the multitude of pieces and parts. Then lay the parts out in order of installation. This way, youll be confident that you have all the parts before you start, and youll be able to move smoothly from one step to the next.
4. Turn off the electricity! You already know this, but its always worth mentioning. Turn off power to the lights circuit breaker or fuse. Ensure the circuit is truly dead by checking with a high-voltage neon tester. If youre working at night, a flashlight might be handy at this point.
5. Mounting the box: Always use a metal junction boxnot plastic. Another item to keep in mind when mounting the box is that theres several ways to mount it, depending on whether the box is next to a joist, in-between joists, or being mounted on a beamed ceiling. If no fixture was in the room previously, find the center of the room by snapping chalk lines diagonally between opposite corners. Also, the mounting must be able to withstand vibration, as even the most balanced fans cause some level of vibration when running.
6. Assemble. This step varies from one manufacturer to the next. Pay close attention to the specific instruction for your fan brand and style. However, keep in mind that if there is less than a screwdrivers length between the blade and the ceiling, it might be easier to install the blades before hanging the fan. When you are finished, again check all screws for tightness.
7. Hang fan for wiring. Install the hanger hook or attach the ceiling plate to the fan box, whichever is appropriate for your fan model. If attaching a hanger bracket, but sure to use a lock washer, which will help prevent the fans vibration from loosening screws in the future.
8. Wiring the fan. To facilitate the wiring process, swag kits can make installation easier than ever. To improve ease of use once the fan is installed, you can also wire the ceiling fan through a fan speed control. Always electrically ground the fan to both the metal box and itself, using the grounding wires (typically either green or bare copper).
9. Let there be light! Install the light kit and controls you have chosen. This step typically varies according to individual models. However, in general the wires are provided with plug-in connectors. Be sure to tighten everything securely. Install the globe(s) and the light bulb(s).
10. Troubleshooting wobbles. Fan wobbles can range in severity from a minor irritation to a seriously hazardous situation. If you notice your fan wobbling, the first step is to take off the blades and examine them. Look for bent or misshapen blades. If you dont see any obvious deformities, weigh them to determine if one is lighter or heavier than the rest. If one is underweight, affix a soft object such as an eraser to the middle on the top and see if that resolves the problem. For wobbles that are still unexplained, fan balancing kits with detailed instructions are also available.

Youre finished! Pat yourself on the back and enjoy the delightful breeze from your new ceiling fan.

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Five Things to Watch Out for When Installing

An Antenna or Satellite Dish on your Roof

Antennas and satellite dishes are popular ways to connect your television or other different technical equipment. By investing in a dish or antenna, you will have more choices in your home for your entertainment. Dishes and antennas can pick up miles worth of reception for television stations. By installing your own antenna or satellite dish, you will be able to save money.

Before you decide to install an antenna or satellite dish on your roof, there are certain things to consider. By doing so, it will make an easier installation with no complications that may be caused later on. By knowing the directions and details of placing an antenna or satellite dish on your roof, you will be able to enjoy the use of this technology without having to go through re-installing the equipment more than once. By installing an antenna or dish yourself, you can save money and it wont take more than a couple of hours. Be sure to install your new equipment correctly.

1. Installation site. Whether it is an antenna or satellite dish that you are installing, it is important to have a clear path for the dish to receive information. There has to be a clear line of sight between satellites with the entire surface of the dish. The line of site for either the dish or antenna shouldnt be caught in the line of trees, roof tiles, etc. when you place it on your roof.

2. Finding the right place. It is important to keep in mind that with either a dish or an antenna, it is best to put it in a place that not only is clear from any electrical lines, but also allows easy access. By doing this, you will be able to repair or monitor your satellite dish or antenna much easier. If you have to put the dish or antenna on your roof, it is always best to find a place where it isnt going to cause the roof to create leaks into your home.

3. Have the right equipment. There are usually only three parts that you have to connect in order to get the antenna or satellite dish to work right. This includes the dish or antenna, a coax cable that connects the dish to the television and a receiver that plugs directly into your television. When connecting, make sure that the dish or antenna is the shortest distance from where your television is. It is also important to measure the length of the cable in order to determine whether it will reach the dish or antenna from the inside of your home. If needed, you can connect a cable snake to route from further areas if you find it necessary. Other types of equipment which you may need include a drill in order to mount the satellite or antenna in the right place, as well as screws for the dish or antenna.

4. Know which way to point your dish. If you point the dish or antenna in the wrong direction, you wont be able to receive anything. Usually, dishes should be pointed at an angle of twenty-five to fifty degrees. You can find this by a compass that is usually included in the kit that you get when you install your dish.

5. Safety always comes first. When going on your roof to install your antenna or satellite, remember to think of what you need to do in order to prevent yourself from falling. It is best not to go on your roof if the weather has been cold or if it has been raining. Make sure that the ladder that you have is sturdy as well. It is best to have someone hold the ladder for you. Another consideration is to make sure that your shoes have good traction in order to prevent you from falling or slipping while installing the satellite or antenna.

When installing an antenna or satellite dish, there are several things to think through before installation. By knowing the equipment that you need before you go onto your roof, as well as planning out how the dish or antenna will connect to your television, you will prevent hours of repair or work that you may need. By understanding how the dish or antenna will work in relation to your home or television, you will only have to install the equipment once, allowing for an easy installation and several hours of a receptive television.