Truth: Sherry was unexpectedly enthusiastic about adding two new ceiling fans to keep our newly opened sunroom cool and to create a breeze that would help keep mosquitoes at bay, while I was decidedly less thrilled about the idea.
We actually have a fair amount of experience removing fans (see Exhibits A, B and C), and that history made me wary. In many rooms we’ve had 7.5 to 8-foot ceilings, and at 6 feet tall I’ve often felt like the blades were oversized pinwheels hanging just a bit too low. Still, we’re pragmatic people, so we’ve kept fans where they were useful — in the sunroom and den of our first house and the sunroom and guest room of our second. We’re not in the habit of increasing the total number of fans in the house, so this was the first time we’d add rather than subtract.
We decided on two fans for this sunroom after having the space rewired and the ceiling opened up. Two fans would cool the room more efficiently and create enough airflow to deter mosquitos. With the ceiling height increased, we hoped the fans wouldn’t feel overbearing. Still, I assumed the installation would be a chore and the results underwhelming.
After searching secondhand sources and stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, we settled on a model from Home Depot that offered the features we needed. They were priced at $119 apiece, and we ordered a $10 downrod for each because the ceiling is lofted. We opted for a darker finish to add contrast to the light ceiling and to complement the dark floors we’ll be installing.
Beyond style, we needed fans rated for outdoor use and compatible with angled ceilings. We also verified with a store associate that the model could accept a light kit and remote control, in case we decide to add those features later. Right now we’re planning on adding sconces on the columns for softer, eye-level lighting instead.
Before starting the install, we turned off the power at the breaker and the wall switch, and Sherry double-checked with a live current tester. Outdoor wiring can be unpredictable, so it’s worth taking precautions.
Full disclosure: Hunter (the fan brand) isn’t sponsoring this — I’m genuinely impressed with the clear and thoughtful instruction manual they included. It even provided a simple paper template to check whether a ceiling angle is compatible with the fan, which made the compatibility check quick and foolproof. The hardware was organized into labeled bags that matched the manual’s steps, which made assembly straightforward.
For those tackling a fan install for the first time, here’s the general process we followed. First, assemble and secure the mounting bracket to the fixture box; this bracket supports the fan’s weight and must be attached to a properly braced box. The electricians had already installed and braced the fixture boxes when they rewired the ceiling, so we only needed to fasten the fan’s mounting bracket to the existing box.
Next was swapping in the longer downrod. We removed a few screws and components from the short rod supplied with the fan and reattached them to our 12-inch rod (Home Depot had a guide to help choose the correct length). The fan’s wiring was long enough to thread through the new rod, so we threaded the wire up and connected the rod to the fan, securing it with the provided screw and trimming excess wire as needed.
I expected this part to be physically demanding, but the mount was well designed: the ball joint on the rod slipped into the bracket and held the fan securely, leaving my hands free in seconds. With the mounting bracket carrying the load, connecting the wires was simple — the manual clearly indicated which colored wires to join.
While I secured the canopy in place, Sherry prepared the blades by adding rubber washers and attaching them to the metal arms. Once the blades were installed and the base cap was fitted (where a light kit could be added later), the fan looked complete. The first fan took a bit longer because we were following the manual and taking photos, but the second one went up more quickly. In total we installed both fans in roughly 90 minutes with no mistakes and minimal strain.
To our surprise, we love how they look and perform. The fans brought a sense of completion to the room and provided the contrast the sunny space needed. Picture them over the dark slate-like floors we plan to install — they really pop against the light blue ceiling and white trim.
Although it would have been convenient to have them in place a month earlier when the cooling would have been most appreciated, it’s nice to know they’re ready for next season. New truth: I’m genuinely excited that our sunroom now has two well-installed fans. Secondary truth: the ceiling color in these photos looks lighter than it really is, so if it seems off in the images, check the earlier photo for a more accurate representation.