Ceiling fans can offer a low-cost alternative to help keep a room cool during the summer. When used with air conditioning it can help keep the cold air circulating through the room. They come in many sizes and styles. If you are looking to upgrade your ceiling fan or looking to add decorations we will look at how much a ceiling fan hold.
Ceiling fans are not recommended to hold any weight. They are recommended to be mounted to a ceiling fan box and must be secure to prevent loosening or falling. The Ceiling fan boxes or ceiling fans themselves are not designed to hold any extra weight.
Below we look at the weight of ceiling fans, how they are mounted, and how much weight they can support.
What is the Weight of A Ceiling Fan?
Different size ceiling fans have different weights. Below we will look at some common sizes of ceiling fans and see how much they weigh.
The 42-inch is the smallest available ceiling fan. They can have four to five individual blades and can weigh up to 15 lbs when fully assembled. They are commonly used in small rooms and bedrooms.
These fans are usually installed in larger rooms. They can weigh up to 24 lbs. They can produce significant airflow and will cause more pressure on the electrical boxes.
These are the largest available household fans. They can have 10 or more blades and weigh up to 50 lbs. They are usually used in large rooms or halls.
How Much Weight Does A Ceiling Fan Hold?
The weight a ceiling fan can hold will depend on the size of the ceiling fan and the electrical box it is attached to. Different electrical boxes can hold different weights. It is best to check the type of box you have before mounting the ceiling fan.
Normal light electrical boxes can support smaller 42-in ceiling fans, but it is recommended that a ceiling fan box is used with any ceiling fan. The rotational forces and vibration associated with the fan can cause an electrical light box to fail.
Traditional ceiling fan boxes can hold up to 60 pounds. Light electrical boxes will need to be swapped out to a ceiling fan box when mounting medium and heavier fans. They will need to be attached directly to a stud in the ceiling to support the weight of the fans.
For larger fans, or in situations where you are not able to mount a ceiling fan box to a stud, a ceiling fan brace will be needed. It is connected over the top of the studs to support the ceiling fan. This ceiling fan brace can support up to 75 pounds and will hold the largest fans available.
Correctly Mounted Fans
Ceiling fans need to be mounted to the box correctly to ensure that they do not fall. The box must be attached to a stud and secure from movement. Most ceiling fans come with hardware kits that securely fasten them to the mounting box. Most ceiling fans can not be directly mounted to the box securely. Your ceiling fan should not have any movement when mounted.
Hanging Decorations From A Fan
It is not recommended to hang anything from a ceiling fan. Small light paper decorations or streamers should be ok to hang from the blades of a fan, but anything larger or heavier has the potential to damage the fan or connection box and cause the fan to break or fall.
Can A Ceiling Fan Hold A Person?
The average household ceiling fan can not hold a person. Depending on the ceiling fan junction box, it can not hold much more weight than the ceiling fan. It can not hold the additional weight of a person.
Even if the joist-mounted ceiling fan box was able to handle the weight, the actual fan itself wouldn’t be able to hold the weight of the average human. The ceiling fan blades are made from wood, metal, and even plastic. They are too thinly constructed and not designed to carry a person’s weight. They could bend or even break due to the added weight of a person.
The ceiling fan can also fall if subject to the weight of a person. The fan’s construction is not designed to handle that much weight and could bring down the entire fan. It is not recommended that any person should attempt to hang from a ceiling fan.
Conclusion
The weight a ceiling fan can hold will depend on various factors. The first factor would be the electrical box it is mounted on. The weight and size of a fan will also determine how much weight the fan can hold.
It is not recommended that anything be hung from a ceiling fan besides small streamers. Anything larger can cause failure in the ceiling fan or the mount and cause it to fall.
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FAQ
How much weight can a ceiling fixture hold?
The weight a ceiling fixture will hold will depend on the electrical box used. Most light electrical boxes are only rated for 15-20 pounds. Any light fixture or a ceiling fan over that will require a different box that is rated to hold more weight.
How Much Weight Can A Ceiling Fan Box Hold?
A standard ceiling fan box can hold 50-60 pounds and is capable of holding most fans or larger light fixtures. Larger fans or heavy chandeliers will require a ceiling fan brace, which mounts over the studs in the ceiling, and will be necessary to secure the fan or lighting fixture.
Can You Hang Anything From A Ceiling Fan?
It is not recommended that anything be hung from a ceiling fan. Light decor such as paper or streamers should be fine to hang from a ceiling fan. Anything larger or heavier could cause the ceiling fan to break or can cause the electrical box to become separated from the studs and fail.
Do You Need A Special Box To Install A Ceiling fan?
Some small ceiling fans may be able to be mounted to a standard electrical box with no issues. It is always recommended that ceiling fans only be mounted to ceiling fan boxes. Those boxes must be securely mounted to a stud and free from vibration to ensure that they can hold the weight and support the forces associated with the ceiling fans.