How abruptly the heat has begun. Today it was in the 70s. A week or two ago it was snowing. Pretty soon I'm going to be very happy that I got air conditioning installed last year.
I was at Lowe's today looking at ceiling fans. I went there with the intention of signing up for their installation services, but it was going to be $130 to install plus $35 to get an estimate plus some arbitrary amount of money because I want one in my stairwell, which is greater than ten feet tall, all for a fan that cost like $60. The department manager successfully bargained me down from my budget of a few hundred dollars to spending about $75 and doing it myself. This worked by appealing to my sense of manly pride, prodding me with "I've even heard of ladies doing this themselves. You can do it." Also, part of it was that he just kept talking and talking and talking and I wanted to do whatever would get him to shut up as soon as possible; I had a bus to catch.
So now I have a box containing a ceiling fan in my living room, and really no clue what to do with it. Hopefully my neighbor's ladder will get me up to my stairwell ceiling where I can have a 50/50 chance of either falling to my death or electrocuting myself. Should be a fun time. He insisted that the fan he selected would work for me, though I really don't know how it's going to install on a slanted ceiling. Only one way to find out. Unfortunately I think that that way ends with returning to Lowe's to get my money back and ordering something online. But I'm a pessimist.
Currently listening (appropriately, too): Sia—Sunday (video)
6 comments:
It's not something I would even try. My advice - find a friend who has done it - or hire a handyman.
Yeah, mounting a ceiling fan is going to be a pain in the ass. The slanted ceiling won't be any more difficult than a regular ceiling. The problem will be mounting the bracket to hold the fan securely.
Beca's mom installed a ceiling fan - and she installed a light fixture in a stairwell. And she's hardly what you'd call "handy." But she is kind of operating under a I'm-seizing-my-life, I-can-do-this, I'm-a-capable-woman, post-menopausal energy.
This menopause sounds great! Kind of like steroids or something. Sign me up!
You only say that because you are a man. I'm dreading that time of my life.
I will second that the sloped ceiling isn't a problem. Modern mounting kits automatically level the fan in the bracket.
You DO need to check on the reinforcement of your electrical box. If it didn't already have a ceiling fan there, chances are you need to add some reinforcement above... otherwise the fan is bound to come crashing down from the ceiling.
Ask your neighbors for a good electrician. Shouldn't take more than an hour of their time as long as you are planning to control it from the fan itself (versus changing out the wall switch).
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