Ceiling Fan Wiring

[Ramper]

I would like to put a ceiling fan in my garage. I would like it to help dry the water from the snow melt. The issue I have is that the ceiling is sheetrocked and we just (two weeks ago) had 15 inches of insulation blown in. I know I should have had electric run before the insulation, but I was not thinking ahead.

So my question is can I wire a ceiling fan to use a plug? I have an outlet in the ceiling for the garage door opener and I could plug in there. Also will I need to cut into the ceiling to hang the unit?

Maybe there is a unit that is flush mount with a plug (I am thinking just a regular fan), but will that be durable enough and energy effiecient?

 

[robertgreen79]

I've seen fans with plugs. However, you could always just buy the fan you want and then wire it to a plug adapter.

 

[Ramper]

So could I just screw a box to a board and then screw the board to the ceiling joists? I could then paint the board and box, install a plug end and never have to cut into the sheetrock?

 

[robertgreen79]

I'll have to wait for someone else to chime in too. I'm not positive about that. I will say though, our basement consistently had a damp floor. We bought a dehumidifier and it made a HUGE difference.

 

[sheslostcontrol]

Can't you run a line to the fan box with metal conduit? Check NEC codes, but this sounds like an option for you.

 

[Ramper]

I am looking to do this without cutting into the sheetrock and the new insulation.

 

[Ramper]

I see some industrial type ceiling fans listed with J-Hook install. Maybe the is what I need.

 

[nehog]

I use a cord and a plug on my ceiling fan, plugged into one of the ceiling utility outlets (there are three, two for garage openers, one over the lift for a drop light on a reel (not yet bought!)

 

[5lima30]

Why not run wire mould or conduit on the exterior of your drywall and put a switch in line to an existing outlet? Your ceiling box (metal) could be mounted flat against the drywall and screwed directly into your ceiling joist. Just a thought...

 

[frank_c]

i had a ceiling fan in a bedroom on a swag, but i'd probably use an exterior wire way/box in a garage.

 

[turbo6justin]

Here is my experience. I have been putting the celing fans from the house in the garage as I replace them inside, there are 3 out there so far. I either get a replacement cord end (basically a 3 prong plug with 6-8' wires that are cut off) or a short extension cord and cut the female end off wire it up. They are both stranded wire so I solder them and heat shrink them. Plug them into whatever outlet is convenient. I knew where these 3 were going before I sheetrocked so I added a short piece of 2x4 to the excisting rafter to widen the mounting surface. 2 good long screws and I am done. Your idea to take and run a board joist to joist and use that to mount to would work for me if I added another fan. Can someone find flaws in my method I am sure they can but it works just fine for me.

One note, if the garage is not normally heated in cold weather the fans do not help much to dry up melted snow, or at least not in my case. If I crank up the heater it's not that bad but a 30-40 deg garage does not dry up very fast even with moving air.

 

[kbs2244]

My celing fan in the garage has a plug on it going into the opener outlet.
It is the type with drop pipe, not a flush mount.
That made it a bit easier to install.

But you might think abut just hanging a 20 inch window fan from a piece of lightweight chain.

 

[boydgti]

The ceiling fan in my beadroom is just supplied with 120 v and has a remote control. It controls the light and the speed of the fan. The controler can be hung on the wall where ever u want it, works great. Think mine is a Hampton Bay ceiling fan

 

[Berserker]

I am looking to do this without cutting into the sheetrock and the new insulation.

Get over that. Homes are full of holes in the sheet rock. If you don't its going to look like a hack did it.

If you insist on this buy a cord and wire nut it under the canopy. Then use a pull chain to turn the light on and off. You will have to find a way to mount the fan.

I would be nicer with a switch, but you will need holes.

 

[PassnThru]

Get over that. Homes are full of holes in the sheet rock. If you don't its going to look like a hack did it.

Yeah - pretty much that. It's blown in - you can move it around. Move it around and do it right.