Hanging a new fan, or swapping a light for one? Brian Electric LLC installs ceiling fans in homes across Durham and nearby towns. We check the ceiling box and the wiring first, so your fan runs safe and quiet with no wobble.
Pick Your Project
Every ceiling fan installation in Durham starts with one question: what is in your ceiling right now? Pick the job that sounds like yours to see what it takes.
This is the simplest job, since the wiring and the box are already in place. Still, many fans hung years ago sit on a box made for a light, not a fan. A heavier new fan on that box can start to wobble or work loose.
What we check
Good to know: Keep the box and manual from your new fan. The weight and wiring notes help us plan.
This is the job we do most. A box built for a light is often too weak for a fan. A fan weighs more, and it moves every time it runs. We take out the old box and put in a fan-rated box with a brace between the joists.
What we check
Good to know: Want the fan and the light on separate switches? That often needs one more wire, so tell us when you call.
No light in that spot? We run new wire from a nearby circuit, add a fan-rated box and put a switch on the wall. Most of the time the wire goes through the attic. A room with no attic above may need small openings in the drywall. We show you where before we start.
What we check
Good to know: New wiring can need a permit. We pull the permit and set up the inspection for you.
A tall or slanted ceiling changes how the fan hangs. A high ceiling needs a longer downrod so the air reaches you. A steep slope needs an angled mount so the blades clear the ceiling and the fan hangs straight.
What we check
Good to know: Tell us the ceiling height when you call. We bring the right ladder and the right parts.
Durham summers are hot and humid, and a porch fan helps a lot. But an indoor fan outside can rust and fail fast. A covered porch needs a damp-rated fan. A spot where rain hits the fan, like a pergola or an open deck, needs a wet-rated one.
What we check
Good to know: Not sure which rating you need? Send us a photo of the spot and we will tell you.
Safety First
A ceiling fan can weigh 15 to 50 pounds, and it shakes a little every time it spins. Most fan problems we see in Durham start with the box it hangs from, not the fan itself. Here is what holds a fan up the right way.
A metal brace spans two ceiling joists and holds the box. It takes the weight and the shake when the fan runs.
It is marked "Acceptable for fan support." Most are rated for fans up to 70 pounds. A plain light box is not made for a load that moves.
It screws to the box with the screws made for it, so the fan cannot work loose over time.
The downrod sets how low the fan hangs. Most fan makers ask for the blades to sit at least 7 feet above the floor.
Many Durham homes were built between the 1920s and the 1960s. Their ceilings often hide a few surprises:
Before You Buy
A fan that is too small for the room barely moves the air. One that hangs too high cools the ceiling, not you. These three charts cover what to look at before you buy a fan for your Durham home.
Already have a fan in mind? Send us the model number. We will tell you if it fits the room and the ceiling.
| Ceiling | Downrod |
|---|---|
| 8 ft | Flush mount |
| 9 ft | 6 in |
| 10 ft | 12 in |
| 11 ft | 18 in |
| 12 ft | 24 in |
| 13 ft | 36 in |
| 14 ft | 48 in |
Sloped ceiling? Measure at the spot where the fan will hang.
Fan Controls
How you turn the fan on matters as much as the fan. Decide before install day, since some controls need an extra wire run to the switch.
A switch or a fan speed control on the wall. Simple, and always where you expect it.
Good to knowDo not use a light dimmer on the fan motor. It can make the fan hum and wear the motor out. Use a control made for fans.
A small receiver goes inside the fan canopy. A hand remote sets the speed and the light.
Good to knowLeave the wall switch on. If it is off, the remote has no power to work with.
A smart wall control or a smart fan that runs from your phone, a voice assistant or a schedule.
Good to knowPick one smart part, not two. A smart fan works best with a plain on and off switch.
Install Day
No guessing about what comes next. Here is how a ceiling fan install goes, from the moment we walk in to the moment the fan spins.
We look at the spot, the switch and the fan you picked. You confirm where it hangs.
We shut off the breaker, test the wires and take down the old fan or light.
If the box is not fan-rated, it comes out. A brace and a fan-rated box go in.
The bracket, downrod and motor go up. The wires are joined and the ground is connected.
We hang the blades, run every speed and fix any wobble before we call it done.
We clean the work area and show you the controls. New wiring gets its inspection set up.
Have these ready
Pricing
There is no single price for ceiling fan installation in Durham, NC. A simple swap costs much less than a fan in a spot with no wiring. This scale shows where your job likely falls.
New fan on a box that is already fan-rated.
Old light box out, brace and fan-rated box in.
Longer downrod, angled mount and taller ladders.
New wire, new box and a new wall switch.
Tell us the room, the ceiling height and what hangs there now. Send a photo if you can. You get a clear price before any work starts.
Call for a Free EstimateNot every fan needs to be replaced. These are the usual causes we find.
Often a loose blade, a bent blade arm or a box that is not fan-rated. A loose box is the one to fix fast.
Often a light dimmer on the fan motor, a loose canopy or a remote receiver that has gone bad.
Often a switch, a pull chain, a remote receiver or a worn part in the motor. Check the breaker first.
Burning smell or sparks from a fan? Turn it off at the breaker and call us. Our emergency electrician line is open 24/7.
Call (984) 271-2113Service Area
We are based in Durham and install ceiling fans in homes all over the Triangle. Not sure if we come to your town? Call and ask.
FAQ
Not sure what your fan needs? Call with the fan model and the ceiling height, and we will tell you what comes next.
Call (984) 271-2113Yes. When you call, share the model number and the ceiling height. We check that the box can hold it and that the downrod fits. Keep every part and the manual with the fan.
A swap on a fan-rated box is usually a short visit. A fan in a new spot with new wire and a new switch takes longer. You get a time estimate along with the price.
Swapping one fan or light for another usually does not need one. New wiring or a new circuit often does. When a permit is needed, we pull it and set up the inspection.
Yes. Most fans handle a gentle slope with the mount they come with. A steep slope needs an angled mount kit and often a longer downrod so the blades clear the ceiling.
In summer, run it counterclockwise when you look up. That pushes air down on you. In winter, switch it to clockwise on low speed to move warm air off the ceiling.
It can. A fan cools people, not the room, so you can set the thermostat a few degrees higher and still feel comfortable. Turn the fan off when you leave the room.
