How To Hang A Ceiling Fan On A Suspended Ceiling

Ceiling fans are a great way to circulate air in a room, aiding in heating and cooling, saving you money in energy costs while keeping your living space comfortable. If you have a suspended ceiling, like in a finished basement, installing a ceiling fan requires a few extra steps beyond what may be required in a regular ceiling.

Step 1

Decide where to put the fan. Then remove tiles from your suspended ceiling so you have free access to the joists above the suspended ceiling. With the power off, run electrical cable from your power source along the joist, securing it with cable staples. Above where you want the fan to be, mount a heavy-duty fan gang box, securing the metal cross brace between two to the ceiling joists. Then run the wire into the gang box.

Step 2

Wire the base of the ceiling fan to the fan gang box. Drop a plumb line down from the center of the mount, and measure it's position as it crosses the level of the suspended ceiling grid.

Step 3

Use your xacto knife to cut a hole in a suspended ceiling tile corresponding to the measurement you've just taken. Slip a ceiling fan extension tube through the hole and fish through the wiring that will run through the tube to the fan. Screw the tube into the fan base and mount the ceiling tile back in place.

Step 4

Mount the remainder of the fan to the extension tube. Turn the power back on and test operation of the ceiling fan.