Since the early 20th century, ceiling fans have become a popular choice for home cooling. While ceiling fans don’t cool your room as much as an air conditioner, they do have their advantages. The primary benefit of a ceiling fan is that it cools you indirectly. When you are hot and sweaty, turning on a ceiling fan creates an updraft that evaporates your sweat, feels great, and lowers your body temperature faster than if you were to just sit in the heat and humidity. That being said, you will probably want to install a ceiling fan in your home sooner rather than later before the summer heat and humidity becomes unbearable. Installing a new ceiling fan can be fairly easy if you know what you’re doing. Read on to learn more about installing a new ceiling fan with or without downrod.
Can You Mount A Ceiling Fan Without Downrod?
Yes, you can mount a ceiling fan without downrod. Installing a ceiling fan without a downrod is possible by using an offset mount. An offset mount tilts the fan away from the ceiling, resulting in more space between the bottom of the fan and the ceiling. A downrod is not necessary with an offset mount.
How To Install A Ceiling Fan Without Downrod
Remove the Old Ceiling Fan
Before you can install a ceiling fan, you first need to remove the old one. Shut off the power to your ceiling fan at the circuit breaker and disconnect the wires from the old light fixture. You may have to unscrew the mounting bracket, depending on your current setup. Finally, unscrew the light fixture and detach it from the ceiling.
Hang Your New Ceiling Fan
To hang your new ceiling fan, simply hook it over your existing mounting bracket and screw it in place with an electric screwdriver or power drill. Make sure that you are hanging it level; otherwise, your room may feel a little off balance with a tilted ceiling fan!
Attach Wires to New Ceiling Fan
Once your new ceiling fan is up on its mounting bracket, hook up its wires and turn it on! You will probably want to test out your new ceiling fan before you paint or hang drywall around it. If everything works properly, paint or hang drywall around your new ceiling fan and enjoy cooling off in style!
Consider an Off-Center Mount
If you want a little extra space between the bottom of your new ceiling fan and the ceiling, you can use an offset mount. An offset mount tilts your new ceiling fan away from the ceiling by about 15 degrees, which gives you more clearance between the bottom of your new fan and the ceiling.
Add Paint or Drywall
Once you have installed your new ceiling fan, you will probably want to paint around it or hang drywall on the wall behind it. If you are hanging drywall, make sure that the drywall is level with the bottom of your ceiling fan blades. Otherwise, your new ceiling fan may feel a little off balance!
Enjoy Your New Ceiling Fan!
Your new ceiling fan is now ready to cool you off and make your home more comfortable! Enjoy your new fan and the extra space it has created between the ceiling and the bottom of your ceiling fan blades!
What Are The Benefits Of Installing A Ceiling Fan Without A Downrod?
Space Saving:
The main purpose of installing a ceiling fan without a downrod is to save space. This is especially helpful in smaller rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. The installation of the fan will not take up any valuable floor space such as your kitchen counter or your bathroom vanity.
Easy to Reach:
Another benefit of installing a ceiling fan without a downrod is that it allows you to easily reach the controls for the ceiling fan from any point in the room. If you have installed a ceiling fan with a downrod, you may have to get on your hands and knees just to reach the controls for the ceiling fan. With a ceiling fan without a downrod, you can simply sit in your arm chair or get on the floor to change the settings.
Improved Air Flow:
Another advantage of installing a ceiling fan without a downrod is that it improves air flow throughout the room. If you are installing the ceiling fan in your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom, you will be able to feel the cooling effects of the ceiling fan from all areas of your room.
Improved Energy Efficiency:
Installing a ceiling fan without a downrod will also improve energy efficiency in your room by circulating cooler air from outside through open windows and doors and into your home. This type of installation is especially beneficial during hot summer months when you want to keep cool but don’t want to run up your electricity bill by using an air conditioner or other electrical appliances that consume lots of electricity.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Installing A Ceiling Fan Without A Downrod?
Lack of Control:
Although installing a ceiling fan without a downrod will save you space, it will also take away some of the control that you have when installing a ceiling fan with a downrod. For example, the light fixture and the fan will be closer together so you may not able to use your light fixture as a reading lamp unless you install another lamp on opposite side of the room.
Lack of Quality:
Another disadvantage of installing a ceiling fan without a downrod is that it may not be as high quality as one with a downrod. If you are looking for something that will last for many years, then you may want to invest in something more expensive and higher quality. However, if your main purpose is to save space in your room, then this type of installation will work just fine for your needs.
No Ceiling Fan Downrod:
If you are looking for a ceiling fan without a downrod, then you will be disappointed because this type of installation is not available. Although you may be able to find some ceiling fans that do not require a downrod, they may not look very attractive. If you want your ceiling fan to look good in your room, then installing one with a downrod is probably the best option for you.
No Light:
If you are installing a ceiling fan without a downrod, then you will not be able to use your light fixture as a reading lamp. You will need to purchase another lamp on the opposite side of the room if you want to use your light fixture as a reading lamp.
No Remote Control:
If you purchase a ceiling fan without a downrod, then you will not have the option of using a remote control to operate your ceiling fan.
Which Size Of Downrods Do You Need For Your Ceiling Fans?
2″ downrod:
If you are installing a ceiling fan without a downrod, then you will need to install a 2″ downrod in order for your ceiling fan to be the proper height. However, if you already have a ceiling fan in your room, then you may be able to use the existing downrod that is already installed.
3″ downrod:
If your ceiling fan uses a standard light kit, then it most likely requires a 3″downrod because many of the light kits have an adjustable length. If you already have a 3″downrod that is not being used, then this can be used with your new ceiling fan installation.
4″ downrod:
If you are installing a ceiling fan without a downrod, then you will need to install a 4″downrod in order for your ceiling fan to be the proper height. However, if you already have a ceiling fan in your room, then you may be able to use the existing downrod that is already installed.
Conclusion
Installing a ceiling fan can be a great way to lower your electric bill and extend your indoor air-conditioning season. However, to get the most out of your new fan, it’s important to install it properly. If you install the fan with a downrod, make sure the downrod is the right length. If you are installing a smaller ceiling fan, the best option is to use a low-profile electrical box and a short downrod. If you are installing a larger ceiling fan, the best option is to use a standard electrical box and a longer downrod.
