As a homeowner, you may find yourself dividing many projects around the house into two categories: DIY work and professional work. While people with a little bit of skill or experience can tackle many residential projects, others could be catastrophic failures or even safety hazards in the hands of an amateur.
Appliance and fixture installation is often a gray area for many self-fashioned repair people. While putting appliances and fixtures in their right places may not be particularly tricky, any included plumbing and electrical work requires expertise.
In this blog, we discuss ceiling fan installations - one of the most common electrical tasks that homeowners mistake for a DIY project - and why this task is better suited to experienced electricians.
Suspending a fixture from the middle of the ceiling is not just a matter of putting in a couple screws. Ceiling fans are heavy, especially those with long blades or large motors, and the fans create a high level of vibration when in use.
Many homeowners assume that if they have a fixture in place already, they should be able to swap the current light out for a fan without the help of an electrician. However, this idea fails to account for the stabilization required to carry the weight of the ceiling fan.
Electricians choose and put in appropriate mounts for every fixture before installation, especially when working with ceiling fans.
Like an existing ceiling mount, the insulation found above your current light fixture might not stand up to the proximity requirements of a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans require high-temperature insulation that helps regulate the heat generated by the combination of light and movement.
Your electrician can determine if the existing insulation is adequate and improve any insulation that is not suitable for a ceiling fan mount.
If you buy a ceiling fan with a product warranty, look at the language in the agreement. Many warranties require that a professional install the fixtures. DIY installation will void these warranties.
In addition to preserving a warranty that comes with your ceiling fan, many electricians provide a warranty on products they sell and on the labor they perform. This type of warranty can give you peace of mind that you'll have help dealing with any issue that could arise down the road.
The fact that an electrician will have the tools, equipment, components, and knowledge necessary to complete a ceiling fan installation more successfully than the average DIYer is perhaps the most obvious reason to opt for professional installation.
But don't discount the importance of this benefit simply because it's obvious. Any small mistake in a ceiling fan installation can cause inconveniences like flickering lights or a wobbly fan, while serious oversights can lead to safety hazards like electrical fires.
When you hire a professional, you can rest assured they have the correct box, wires, and tools to use, as well as know how to work with your home's electrical system.
Additionally, your electrician may be able to provide you with extra features during the installation process that a handyman wouldn't be able to do because his or her knowledge doesn't extend past connecting wires. For example, your electrician can provide remote control, dimmer switches, and other features for your fan if desired.
As you prepare to replace an existing ceiling fan or put in an entirely new fixture, partner with a qualified electrician. This simple decision to trust the expertise of an electrical professional can save you time, money, and worry during the installation process and in the future.
For comprehensive residential electrical installation and maintenance services, trust the experienced team of electricians at Palmer Electric, Inc.
