Ceiling Fan Installation With Older Wiring

Shut off power to the circuit that will power the fan. Verify power is off, using a voltage detector.

Remove the existing light fixture where you want to install the fan. Inspect the wire insulation and check the wire size and type. Some old homes are wired with 14-gauge copper or aluminum wire. Make sure the wiring can handle the power requirements of the fan.

Remove the fixture's electrical box by pulling out the electrical wires, then removing the screws holding the box in place. Most fixture boxes are not designed to handle the weight of a ceiling fan. New boxes rated for ceiling fans are stronger and have additional supports for connecting the box to ceiling joists.

Place the new box into position and attach it securely to the ceiling joists. Push the wires into the new electrical box, if the wiring does not have to be replaced. If the wiring does need to be replaced, you'll have to replace it all the way back to the main power panel.

Get a second person to hold the fan in position. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for connecting the wiring. Usually, the fan will have a black wire, the power wire, which must connect to the black wire in the electrical box. The fan's white (neutral) wire which must connect to the white wire in the electrical box. The fan also will have a ground wire, which should be connected to the existing ground if one is available. Some old houses do not have a ground wire running with all of the other wiring. Some fans also include wiring for ceiling fan light fixtures. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for connecting the light fixture. Twist wire connectors on all splices.

Secure the fan in place and test it.