Can I install a longer downrod on an existing ceiling fan?

[RayOfHope]

We recently moved into a new home with a 15 foot ceiling in the living room. The current ceiling fan doesn't hang down very far (the downrod is about 8-10 inches I'm guessing, and it looks quite silly in this room. Is it possible buy a new downrod or will the current wiring down into the fan not be long enough?

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. The wiring is not a problem

Because you can add more. The down rod however is a problem. What you can do is look up the manufacturer web site ,know the model type of your fan and see if a longer down rod is something to can buy as an accessory.


And check the junction box the existing fan is attached to. If all they cared about was getting the air circulating and all that is up there is a standard junction box,-say there was a down light up there before they installed that fan, and,the junction box is not rated for the kind of weight it is carrying,than there is a problem.A standard junction box for a light is fastened to a stud with two or three screws. It is not meant to carry very much weight. A ceiling fan has additional pull down weight when it is operational.And my guess is they used what was there instead of having a ceiling fan heavy duty bracket with adjustable junction box.The pull down weight must have scared them.Or maybe they were just cheap.Or maybe it was so hot all they cared about was some kind of fan,maybe they did not give a hoot what it looked like.Or may you bought the house from a republican who knows! Perhaps the he of the house was clown.

All kidding aside, if it were me I would want to climb up there and have a look at just how that fan is installed.A fifteen foot ceiling and a standard drop fan to me indicateds cutting cornors.cornor cutters never stop at cutting cornors.

On the other hand if there is a heavy duty mounting bracket installed,you can buy a fan light with different length down rods.


And a deco fan would look nice with those high ceilings.If you got about two hundred dollars to spare you can get something nice that will add to the room in how the room itself appears.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

So, what's holding the weight of that fan,do you know?

[Warpy]

2. Great advice about the mount, you'll want to look at that

since they seem to have done a quick and dirty job getting the thing up there. If you're going to put a longer rod on it, you're going to have to get up there and look around, anyway, and it's better to make sure rather than have the whole thing come crashing down at 3 AM--or worse.

As for the down rod, if the manufacturer isn't forthcoming, take the rod you've got to a metal shop and tell them you want the same thing, only longer and able to support the weight of the fan and motor. They should be able to set you up.