Lighting is one of those home improvement projects that everyone loves to do. Change that old chandelier to a fancy new one, or that small lighting fixture to a larger one that adds more light in the room. And one of the most popular ones, change that small light to a nice new ceiling fan. These are all great improvements to your home and relativity easy to do yourself, but whether you decide to do it yourself or hire an electrical contractor to do the work there are some things you need to consider before you go out and buy those new lighting fixtures.

The first thing you need to consider is the power requirements of the new fixture. If you are changing an old fixture with only one light bulb to one with two light bulbs, this will most likely not be a problem. But if it is a larger fixture or a chandelier you will need to take this into account.

You can go about this by finding out what is on the existing circuit that you intend to change the fixture on. Go to your main electrical panel and turn off the breakers until you find out which circuit the fixture is on. Next you will need to find out what is on that circuit, so with only that breaker off check and see what other fixtures or devices do not work. Next you will need to add up the current draw on the existing circuit, as per code you are only allowed to draw 80% of the current provided for by the circuit breaker protecting the circuit. For example if it is a 15 amp circuit breaker you are only permitted to draw 1200 watts, which is a total of twenty 60 watt light bulbs. At first glace this may seem like a lot but I have seen people have 20 60 watt light bulbs on a single chandelier.
Checking to make sure that you don’t overload the circuit is very important; you will also need to make sure that the switch or dimmer is rated for the proper current draw of the fixture.

The next thing you need to look at is the weight of the new fixture, the box you are attaching it to has to be rated for the weight of the new fixture. Different electrical boxes have different ratings as far as the weight that can hang from them. This will only come into play with larger fixtures or ceiling fans. A ceiling fan must be hung from a box that is rated for a ceiling fan. If you are installing a heavy fixture or a ceiling fan you will most likely need to change the box also.

The National Electrical Code allows you to hang up to 50 lbs. from any electrical box that is threaded to accept No. 8-32 machine screws. Make sure your electrical box is securely fastened before you hang a new light fixture from it. If your light fixture weighs more than 50 lbs or is a ceiling fan, you will need to install a fan brace box. Check the label to make sure the box is designed to support the weight of your fixture.

Considering these aspects in advance will help you be better prepared for the project before you purchase the fixture. It will also keep you safe and compliant with the National Electrical Code.

John has been in the electrical industry for over 20 years and is currently running wireityourself.com an online do it yourself home wiring site.

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Ceiling fans are a very personal choice depending on the styles you like or themes that you have. With new technology and more designs coming out, your options are numerous. You can choose from different blades depending on the style or size as well as the finish it has. Your motors will vary depending on the application. When choosing your ceiling fan there are a few basic things to keep in mind. Knowing the size of the room is important so you can pick the right size of fan. Also the height of your ceiling should be measured. Do you want a ceiling fan light fixture or not? Choosing a flush mount or a hanging mount can drastically change a look. Another thing is choosing the style of fan, from a tropical fan, airplane ceiling fan, or rustic ceiling fan for instance. Make sure you have a reversible speed on your ceiling fan for different ventilation options. You may even want a ceiling fan with a heater.

What grade is my ceiling fan.

A specific grade is placed on ceiling fans to help determine what our needs are. The first is the Performance Grade. These fans have larger motors usually tow speeds and very quiet when in operation. Being so durable these fans can be used 24/7 as they are built to last. The next is the Medium Grade ceiling fan priced better for the consumer will give you durability and along with the functionality that your deserve. These fans are great for rooms with heights of up to 12 feet. This fan is designed to be used for 12 hours or less at a time. The next is Economy Grade, and this is when price is very important. The fan's components are chosen to keep the price low and affordable. The functioning and durability will still be present. These ceiling fans work well in a room with the ceiling eight feet or less and should not be in use for more than eight hours at a time.

Features for ceiling fans

A modern ceiling fan is not the same basic fans you used to choose from when they were first made. Starting with the motor, they are measured in a watt which tells you the power of the motor. Speed and design affect the overall performance of the ceiling fan. The better the design will give you a quieter running fan but will cost more. Always check and see how reliable a fan is by looking at repair records to see how much downtime these particular fans have. Also check on the availability of the ceiling fan parts you may need. I f you want more than a ceiling fan pull, maybe you should check out a ceiling fan remote control which will allow you to operate your fan from anywhere in your room without getting up. Being able to have the right ceiling fan ventilation, you should make sure that you have a variability speed control so that you have the option to move the amount of air you need to.

Daryl plaza is the owner of ceilingfanhandbook a website designed with resources/reviews to help you discover the potential and benefits of your ceiling fans.

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