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I need some instruction on putting in a ceiling fan.

Answer:
If you are looking to install a ceiling fan where you

have a light exisitng currently, the process is fairly easy. If you are looking to install a ceiling fan where there isn't a light currently, the process depends on too many variables to address individually. If your case is the latter, get back with us on an explanation of location and obstacles in the way.

Too start, turn off power to the location of the new ceiling fan. Do this by flipping breakers in your electrical panel until the light goes off. This is much easier process with two people unless your panel is in the same room. I am 0 for around 50 in the "electrical panel in same room" category.

Once power has been shutoff, climb your ladder up to the existing light. Just because the light is off doesn't always mean there is no electricity running through the box underneath the light. You will want to invest in a "sniffer" that will detect an electrical current when held up to a wire. Or just borrow one. They run about $15.

Take off the light cover. Lights are hung in a variety of different ways, but one way or another you need to get the body of the current light off of the box in the ceiling. In most cases you will loosen the screws and slide the unit off. At this point the light will probably be in your hands or if it is light enough it will simply be dangling by the wires that are currently connecting it. Take your sniffer and poke around inside the box to insure that their is no more live power running through it. If the sniffer senses something, continue to flip breakers till you sense not live power at all.

Once the power is off, diconnect the wires that are connecting the light to the box. In most cases you will just unscrew the wire nuts.

Now you are ready to install your fan. You will want to make sure the box in the ceiling is secured well enough to support the weight of your new ceiling fan. Try to move it around a bit or, if possible, get up in the attic and see first hand what is connecting it. If it looks as if it is strong enough to support your fan, you can continue. If not, you will need brace the box one way or another. Best way would be to add a piece of lumber between the ceiling joists and screwing the box to this. If this becomes a problem in itself let us know and we can try to give you some better instruction.

Once the old light is down and the electrical box is securely fastened in the ceiling just follow the instructions the fan came with. It goes up similar to the way the light came down, but every fan is different, so just follow the directions. There will be options for having the fan hanging down a ways from the ceiling or having it up close to the ceiling. There will instructions and tools to help if the fan is out of balance. Etc, etc, etc. If you have any steps in your directions that give you trouble just let us know. Good luck.