Cleaning Ceiling Fans – Quick and Safe

Posted on August 10, 2022 | by K Hopkins

Have you walked into a home and looked up to see dirty ceiling fans? How often have you seen clean and sparkling ceiling fans? You may want to do a mental check and answer these questions.

If you have a ceiling fan and struggle to keep it clean, then you need to keep reading this article. In this article, you’ll learn why most people don’t clean their ceiling fans, important cleaning equipment, and quick and safe tips for cleaning ceiling fans; whether they are mounted on low or high ceilings.

It is common to find dirty ceiling fans in homes and spaces for different reasons. Some reasons are:

They usually forget it during cleaning routines.
It takes extra effort to climb up and clean.
It is risky to climb up and clean.
It requires frequent cleaning which can be tiring sometimes.
Unavailability of the right cleaning equipment.

A List of Important Equipment/Materials for Cleaning a Ceiling Fan

Ladder: A ladder is to help you reach heights where your ceiling fans are mounted. You must get a sturdy ladder that can conveniently hold your weight and prevent you from falling. The type of ladder depends on if you have a low or high ceiling.
A pole duster: This is a duster that has a long end to help reach heights. The duster can be used to clean the blades of the ceiling fans especially if you don’t have a long ladder or you prefer to not climb before cleaning your ceiling fans.
A microfiber cloth or wipes: A microfiber cloth can easily absorb and retain moisture to help you clean your ceiling fans. A damp one for cleaning, and a dry one for drying off the blades of the ceiling fan.
A dust repellent product: This product will help to easily clean off dust and debris on your ceiling fan. It ensures a sparkling clean ceiling fan.
Water: You would need a good amount of water to help dampen the microfiber cloth and give the ceiling a good clean.

5 Quick and Safe Steps to Having a Clean Ceiling Fan

Here is a sure and quick way to get your ceiling fan clean, and working perfectly without spreading dust and dirty air in your space.

Put off your fan and ensure the blades have completely stopped rolling before you start cleaning. This is to prevent cuts.
Get your damp microfiber cloth and a dust repellent product for easy cleaning to clean the blades of the ceiling fan.
Get on your ladder and clean the blades carefully and gently. Be careful not to apply pressure on the ceiling fan to prevent it from bending and breaking.
If the ceiling fan is greasy and dusty, you may want to repeat the process a few times to wipe the fan clean.
Then finish with a dry cloth to dry off the blades. Do not forget to clean the cup of the ceiling fan too.

Note that you can use this simple procedure whether it is a high ceiling or not. All you have to do is get a ladder or pole duster that can conveniently help clean the ceiling fan.

Do not hesitate to contact us at The Electric Connection if you need maintenance checks and repairs on your ceiling fan or your other electrical needs. We have capable and handy electricians to help you.

How Attic Fans Work

Posted on July 24, 2018 | by K Hopkins

attic fan installation If you don’t have an attic fan installed in your home, you have probably wondered if one would work for you. You’ve probably heard about attic fans but aren’t sure how they work or what they even do. Attic fans are special ventilation fans that give your home an energy efficient way to cool hot attics. In doing this, they help cool off the rest of the home.

Best installed during the spring or summer months, these fans can be used to help out the central air conditioning systems. Attic fans definitely cannot replace a central air unit in terms of cooling off a whole home, but they offer a smart alternative to help cool down a home. Since attic fans aren’t as powerful as an air conditioner, they can’t completely cool off your home. They use a fraction of the energy, which makes it appealing to thought who want to stay energy efficient.

An attic fan is first and foremost a fan. It will push the hot air out of your attic and replace it with cooler air found outside. As with any fan, there are several types available. Most of them contain the same features – small vents to bring the cooler air inside and a fan that pushes the air to the outside. It may seem simple, but can be very effective.

What are the benefits of installing an attic fan?

Cool your home and be energy efficient
No unsafe gas use
Brings down the humidity levels
Easy to install
Usually inexpensive
Great alternative to cooling the home

Be careful to not make the common mistakes of installing an attic fan. This is to cover the vents with insulation. The more insulation in your attic, the more energy efficient it will be BUT if you cover the vents of your attic fan it will render the fan useless.

Also, be sure to keep your windows open when you are using the attic fan. By keeping your windows closed, you are reducing the effectiveness of the attic fan. The fan works by creating a negative pressure to release the air to the outside. By leaving your windows open, you allow the fan to bring in more cool air into the attic and your home.

The Electric Connection has been serving the Los Angeles area for over 30 years. Our electricians have the expertise and knowledge to complete a variety of electrical jobs. From attic fan installations to whole house rewires, The Electric Connection can do it all.

Importance of Bathroom Fans

Posted on April 30, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

You might be thinking, “do I need a fan in my bathroom?” The answer may surprise you. In addition to keeping the bathroom from getting too hot, a bathroom fan actually has many benefits. The first purpose of installing a bathroom fan is to keep the moisture out of the room. The fans can also help remove odors as well as remove fumes from cleaning materials that might pose health issues.

Where to Install Bathroom Fan

There is actually a lot that goes into deciding where to install a bathroom fan. If you have a smaller bathroom, this may be an easy decision, but larger bathrooms require some thinking and math. Design architects and builders work hard to ensure that bathroom fans are placed in the right spot not only for safety and proper ventilation but also for the aesthetics.

The most important aspect of finding a place for the bathroom fan is finding the right size fan. So, what bathroom fan do you need? It must be big enough to ventilate your entire room or else it’s purpose is diminished. There is a simple math equation that helps determine the size of fan you need for your bathroom. Simply take the volume of your room (the cubic feet) and then multiply that by 8 (which is the number of exchanges of air per hour). Take this sum and divide it by 60 which will result in the required CFM, or cubic feet per minute, you need for the room.

Once you know which bathroom fan to buy, finding the right spot is pretty easy. Heat rises and the primary function of the fan is to reduce the moisture in the room so the best place for the fan is in the ceiling that is the highest from the ground. You should also place the fan near the element that is creating the most moisture or odor. Do not just place the fan in the middle of the room, it should be placed either over the toilet or the tub. Remember that fans placed over a shower or tub must be rated for where they are located and protected with a GFCI.

When To Install A Bathroom Fan

If you currently do not have a fan in your bathroom, you might want to consider installing one. This will help remove the moisture and unpleasant odors. Without a bathroom fan, you might find yourself cleaning the bathroom more. You might even be faced with a mold problem if the moisture can’t escape properly.

When To Replace A Bathroom Fan

When your bathroom fan starts acting up, how do you know if you need to replace it? Repeated use of any device can cause it to fail over time, but fortunately there are some warning signs to look out for.

Odd noises or sounds. Loud throbbing or clanking can mean that the bearings are starting to fail or the blades are not aligned properly. It’s important to realize that most bathroom fans cannot be repaired properly so they must be completely replaced. Since the unit is sealed, it is impossible to grease the bearings so when they stop working the unit must be replaced.
Power up time. If you are noticing that the fan is starting slower and slower it may be time to replace it. Sluggish or slow startup times means the unit is starting to fail.
No power. When you turn on the fan and nothing happens, this might be a big sign it has failed. If you have access to check for power, do so, but it might be time for a replacement. The electrician you call to replace it can give you a more accurate diagnosis.

Bathroom fans are a great addition to any home, almost a necessary one. Any electrician can help you decide which one to buy and where to place it. Be sure to ask for references before you have an electrician visit your home.

The Electric Connection is proud to serve the people of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. We have been installing bathroom fans for over 30 years. Our electricians are licensed and insured to bring you the best services in the area. Give us a call today to get on schedule.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans—Electrician in Los Angeles Explains the Benefits

Posted on August 11, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

Stagnant air can be rather miserable. When you are sitting outside, you are typically hoping for that refreshing breeze to keep you cool and comfortable and to break up the hot air that tends to become thick and heavy. Of course you have heard about ceiling fans inside your home to take care of this problem, but did you know you can actually have a fan outside as well?

Outdoor ceiling fans can be placed in any outdoor living space to make it more comfortable and enjoyable for you. Evenings out on the patio or lunches in the middle of the day can still be enjoyed without the heat becoming too much when you have an electrician in Los Angeles install an outdoor ceiling fan.

These fans are specially designed to withstand the elements. Rain, wind and salty sea air are kept out of the electrical components with a specially designed housing. Although, there are different levels of protection. You will need to consider where the fan will be placed and your proximity to the ocean and the corrosive salty air. This is something you can talk more about with your electrician. Los Angeles residents can rely on The Electric Connection to help explain the ins and out of outdoor ceiling fans.

Basically, there are 3 different main types of fans. The first is designed to withstand minimal exposure to the elements. This is the type of fan you would put in a covered outdoor area. The second fan is designed to withstand direct exposure to the elements. If you are considering putting your fan in an area that is not covered, you will need this type. The last fan type is one that is made to hold up against the erosion from the salty air.

Of course, each type of fan is available in an assortment of styles and colors. Have fun choosing a fan that is right for your needs. Once you have picked the perfect fan, give The Electric Connection a call and we will be happy to schedule an installation appointment.