There’s always that one room in the house that gets a bit too hot, but the high cost of air conditioning is also too hot for you to handle. Things like exercise equipment, furniture or even clutter already take up so much space that a stand fan is not an option. Wall-mounted fans provide a convenient solution to that problem.
Installing a wall-mounted fan is easy to do: all you need is a partner, some basic electrical tools, and three basic steps. In some states, however, installing fans are only done by licensed electricians, so check with your local codes first before installing a fan.
Tools
To install a simple wall-mounted fan, you need the following tools:
Screwdrivers and extra screws (Philips head and flat-head)
Electric drill and drill bit
Electric jigsaw or drywall saw
Wire stripper/cutter
Pencil or marker
Electrical tape
Electrical tester
Before doing anything, turn the main power of the house off and check to see if there are any live wires using your electrical tester. When you are absolutely sure that no electrical current flows through the wiring, you can now prepare the wall.
Step #1: Preparing the wall
Before mounting the fan, consult your building contractor or electrician for advice on the location of wires in walls. Your building contractor may have these wires already in place; if not, have your electrician install wires for your wall-mounted fan, preferably inside the wall. When installing a wall-mounted fan, always check to see if the wall is strong enough to handle the weight of the fan. Weaker walls may need to be reinforced before you can proceed to install the fan.
Mark and drill a pilot hole into the wall or to the drywall large enough for your sawblade to fit. Cut a hole small enough for you to access the electrical wires beneath the wall.
Step #2: Wiring and mounting the fan
Typically, you need to strip electrical wiring just enough for the wire to make contact with the contact points of your wall-mount fan. Simple fans have simpler connections, like red wire-red contact and yellow wire-yellow contact. Do this very carefully, and always consult your manufacturer’s instructions when wiring your fan.
Secure all the loose connections and exposed wires with electrical tape. With a partner holding the fan for you, screw on the back plate of the fan to the wall and then mount the wired fan next. If possible, have a licensed electrician inspect your work.
Step #3: Testing the fan
After inspecting your work, you are now ready to test your fan. Activate the circuit in the room and test the fan by allowing it to run for about a full minute at all speeds. Check to see if the fan works and is stable. If the fan doesn’t work, or starts to wobble on the wall, have an electrician inspect your installation for errors.
Mounting a wall-mount fan is, literally, as simple as 1-2-3. It’s not that difficult to handle, and with a little electrical know-how, it won’t be a problem at all.