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Fan power is measured by CFM, or cubic feet per minute. For every 1,000 feet of square footage in your attic, you need a minimum of 700 CFM. Steeper roofs may need larger fans or about 840 CFM.  You can figure the size of attic fan you need by multiplying the square footage of your attic floor by 0.7. (multiply by 1.2 for a steep roof and 1.15 for a dark roof). That number is the CFM required for your fan to run efficiently.

Ceiling fans require periodic cleaning of blades to avoid dust accumulation, checking screws and connections for firmness, and occasional lubrication for components, keeping the fan running smoothly and quietly over time.

If you’re replacing an old fixture with a ceiling fan, you usually won’t need a permit, but if your electrician runs new wiring for the fixture, you likely will need a permit. Building permits are necessary in most municipalities if you’re making changes to your electrical system, so even if you have partial wiring run to the area and need new wiring installed for added functionality, you’ll probably need a permit. Your electrician should be able to let you know if you need one, and they’ll typically file the paperwork for you.

Manufacturers of ceiling fan-rated boxes must indicate on the box that the unit is for that purpose. To check your model, remove the light fixture and look inside the box for wording that says it’s rated for fan use. If you don’t see words saying so, it likely needs to be replaced with an appropriate one that is rated for use with a ceiling fan.