Replace a Ceiling Fan in Kitchen

Before: The 52-inch fan was too large for the area and would smack into a cabinet door when opened.

Materials and Tools:

ceiling fan
fan/light remote
cordless drill with battery and magnetic screw tip
electrical meter with continuity tester
electrician's pliers
ladder
safety glasses
screwdrivers (Philips and flat-head)
wire strippers

After: A dual-fan model still moves plenty of air without smashing into cabinetry.

Steps:

1. Turn the power off to the kitchen fan. Don’t trust just turning off the dimmer, because you can't tell visually whether a dimmer is on or off. Turn the power off at the circuit box and use the electrical tester on the existing fan to make sure it's off.

Figure A

2. Remove the existing ceiling fan. If the fan is still in working order, save the parts so you can use it in another area.

Figure B

3. Assemble the new ceiling fan following the manufacturer’s instructions. Connect the color-coded wiring, also following the manufacturer's guidelines.

Figure C

4. Secure the fan to the ceiling, then add trim pieces.

5. Turn the power back on and test the fan.