Installing a Whole House Fan

Should you install your whole house fan?

One of the most difficult aspects of whole-house fans is the installation process required to set it up. Most individuals are unaware of the steps involved in the installation of whole-house fans. In order to help, we have created a guide featuring step-by-step instructions involved with installing this type of fan:

Materials:

  • A whole-house fan 
  • Safety glasses
  • At least 2 wrenches
  • Work gloves
  • A drill with drill bits driver bits
  • A long-sleeved shirt
  • Framing nails
  • A dust mask
  • Hammer
  • 2”x 4” studs
  • Drywall saw 
  • Measuring tape
  • 1 handsaw
  • Framing square
  • Wire stripper
  • Wire nuts

 

Step-By-Step Instructions:

  1. Turn off the power in your home and put on your safety gear.
  2. Before you begin to install the whole house fan, you must first remove the blades from the fan in order to reduce the weight.
  3. Locate a spot in the center of the ceiling (below the attic) where you want your fan to be. Make sure your fan will fit in this area.
  4. Go into your attic and find the general area of where you want your fan to be. Make sure there is no electrical wiring or ductwork which may interfere with the installation process.
  5. Measure the installation space from inside your attic. Your fan is going to span across two ceiling joists so you will want to make indication marks through the ceiling in order to make the cut from below.
  6. From the floor below, find the indication markers which you had made from above. Measure and indicate the dimensions of the louver flange. These lines should make a square. Use a drywall saw to cut these lines.
  7. If exposed joists have any fasteners, such as drywall nails or screws, you will want to remove them at this point.
  8. Using your 2”x 4” studs, create a frame between the joists and the area of the ceiling which is being cut. This is to provide support for the fan and the ceiling material.
  9. Install brackets into the pre-drilled holes in the frame of your fan.
  10. Set the fan in place and mark the bracket holes. Remove the fan drill pilot holes.
  11. Set the fan back in place and secure it with bolts.
  12. Once the fan is secure, reattach the fan blades. You may want to spin the fan slightly in order to make sure they are tight before you operate the fan at low, medium or high speed.
  13. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the appropriate electrical connections for the fan. You may want to hire a licensed professional to help you with this step of the process.
    • To finish, secure the louver to the ceiling.

Guide 2 Fans