Ceiling fan on a cathedral ceiling

[PandaBear]

My parents got a house with "cathedral ceiling". Basically, the ceiling is about 2 story tall and a light is hanging from the top. They wanted to replace the light with a ceiling fan with light. The problem is our wiring only support one on/off and I am not sure how to control the fan speed. Are there any fan that uses remote control?

I suspect the current ceiling mounting is only designed for a hanging light, and not sure if it is strong enough to support a ceiling fan. Are the mounting interchangable between ceiling light (those that hang above dinning table) vs ceiling fan?

 

[The_Jeff]

You need a fan-rated box per code but that might be easy enough to drop in from the attic. You shouldn't have to disturb the ceiling sheetrock. IDK about any earthquake codes you might have to deal with.

You might have always-on power at the box, with the switch wire coming down and heading back. If so you're in luck, you could get a pull chain for fan or light function, or replace the switch with a varispeed doodad then run the light from a pull chain.

 

[ryansride2017]

I wouldn't have a problem hanging a ceiling light from the same light fixture. I have yet to see a ceiling light installed on a support beam that would be incapable of supporting a reasonable ceiling fan. Our last house was oriented similar to the one you are describing. There are ceiling fans that are controlled from one on/off switch and the fan speed is controlled by a remote. Should be an easy job. Actually the most difficult portion of the job (at least for me) was getting use to the height of the ceiling!

 

[Kestas]

As long as the ceiling mount is on a support beam, the installation should be straightforward. The only difference from the usual installation is a longer rod from the ceiling and longer pull chains. The on/off at the wall should be okay (but no dimmers!)

 

[PandaBear]

Thanks guys. More questions: how do you climb 15+ fts to install it? and where can I find ceiling fans with remote?

 

[chas3]

i have seen ceiling fans with remote controls in the local hw stores (blowes and home despot). i believe you can even get an add-on kit that modifies a standard ceiling fan.

as for a 15ft install, you will need a big step ladder.

 

[kkreit01]

I was thinking of replacing my ceiling fan a few months ago. My ceiling is 17'. You can rent 12' - 16' step ladders. However, my living room is small, and maneuvering the ladder would be next to impossible. The rental agency recommended their scaffoldng. Two 6' sections would make a 12' high platform. It would have been perfect for my case. We ended up scrapping the project because: our ceiling fan still works, and we couldn't agree on a new style.