Redecorating a room can sometimes mean replacing electrical items, such as the ceiling fan. If you feel that your ceiling fan doesn't match the rest of the room, or if you just need a new one, you might be surprised to know that you can replace it yourself. This guide demonstrates how to take down your old ceiling fan and replace it with a brand new one.

Step 1: Cut the Power

Go to the circuit breaker box and flip off the circuit that provides power to the room where the fan is. Flip the switch to the fan to make sure the power is off. If not, check the neighboring circuits until you find the right one.

Step 2: Take Down the Old Fan

Using the correct screwdriver, Phillips or flathead, remove the screws that hold the fan on the wall. Start with the blade screws and work your way up from there. Then remove the wire nuts and unwrap the wiring. Discard the old fan.

Step 3: Replace the Baseplate

Take down the old baseplate and replace it with the new one. Make sure that you pull all of the wires from the ceiling through the new baseplate so that you can easily hook up and install the new fan.

Check the wires to make sure that there are as many wires coming from the ceiling as there are on the fan. Some older fans don't have wiring for a fan with lights attached that should be operated from a different switch. If you have one of these, stop here and call an electrician, such as McDonald General Services Corp, to install the proper wiring. If the wires match, continue to the next steps.

Step 5: Wire the Ceiling Fan

Match up the wiring from the ceiling to the wiring on the fan. Twist together the same colors of wires and attach wire nuts to the ends. Then continue with the manufacturer's instructions for finishing the installation of the remaining parts of the fan.

Step 6: Balance the Ceiling Fan

Turn the power back on to make sure that the fan works. You may notice a little wobbling, or that the fan makes a clicking noise. If this happens, turn the fan off and check all of the screws again to ensure that they are tight. Additionally, use the weight kit that came with your fan and adjust it according to the directions. Keep playing with this until you get the perfect balance. An unbalanced fan can cause screws to come loose down the road.

Installing your own ceiling fan is an electrical job that you can do yourself, to create a more balanced style to your interior design. Call your electrician if you should have any problems while taking on this project. Share this with others who may want to try their hand at installing a ceiling fan on their own.

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