How to Replace a Recessed Light with a Ceiling Fan

You might replace a light because you do not like the recessed lighting placement or change it because you don't like the look. You may even want to replace your recessed light with a ceiling fan for added ambient lighting. Whatever the reason, replacing a recessed can is easier than you might think.

In this blog, we'll discuss the steps an electrician may take to replace your recessed light with a ceiling fan.

Disclaimer

While doing the replacement may seem simple and quick to do, please consult with a licensed electrician. Above all else, prioritize safety and do not handle recessed lighting electrical wiring without a licensed professional.

• Philips Screwdriver
• Slotted Screwdriver
• Wire Cutters
• Marker
• Batter Powered Drill Driver
• Safety
• Goggles
• Recessed Can Light Conversion Kit

The recessed can light conversion kit has the tools you need to change your old can light into a new type of installation. A standard conversion kit will include medallions, power outlet adapters, mounting brackets, mounting plates and offset sliding brackets. The screws in the kit include flat head screws with wing nuts, threaded pipes with nuts, a reducer bushing, and self-tapping screws.

Before beginning, the electrician will shut off power from the circuit breaker going to the corresponding light switch. They may dump the contents of the conversion kit on a soft surface.

If the electrician has all the contents and screws, they will begin the replacement.

Mounting Bracket

• Step 1: For an existing recessed light fixture, remove the light bulb and can light trim.
• Step 2: After removing the existing materials, create the mounting bracket assembly. Assemble the mounting bracket, three offset sliding brackets and three flathead screws with wing nuts.
• Step 3: Next, check to see if the existing can housing has an adjustable metal bracket. If adjustable, push the metal bracket to the top of the can light's housing. Then tighten the wing nut and put the conversion kit power outlet adapter into the metal bracket. If the metal bracket is not adjustable, then remove the socket from the trim. Put the converter kit power outlet adapter into the metal bracket.
• Step 4: If the screws attaching the recessed light to the wall are in a triangular formation, remove the screws.
  • Step 4a: If they were not, then remove one of the screws. Use the mounting bracket that you assembled to use the empty slot. Then use a screw from the kit to attach one of the sliding brackets to the housing.
• Step 5: Slide the two other sliding brackets until they touch the housing and mark these positions with a marker. This mark helps guide the precise drilling when screwing the brackets in.
• Step 6: Loosen the screw that is already in the housing and remove the mounting bracket. Then use the drill to place the two other screws into the housing. Only screw halfway so the mounting bracket can go over them.
• Step 7: Place the mounting bracket over the screws in the can housing. Lower the sliders on the mounting bracket to the lock position and tighten the screws into place.
• Step 7a: If the screws are in a triangular formation, remove the screws. Put the screws from the converter kit in their place and complete the same steps as above.

Medallion

• Step 8: Twist the wing nuts on the flathead screws counterclockwise and lower the screws until they are level with the base of the can. Then tighten the wing nuts to lock the screws back into place.
• Step 9: Twist the wing nuts counterclockwise again and place the medallion from the converter kit against the ceiling. Then move the flathead screws about 1/16th of an inch inside the back of the medallion. Tighten the wing nuts after doing this to keep the screws in place.

Electrical Wiring

• Step 10: After using the medallion, put it aside to start the electrical wiring process. Bring the wires from the power outlet adapter and the ground wire down through the hole in the mounting bracket. Put the wires in a threaded pipe and screw the pipe into the mounting bracket.
• Step 11: Take the medallion and place it at the opening of the can light against the threaded pipe. Screw in the pipe so it is ¼ inch beyond the medallion.
• Step 12: Put the medallion aside again. Screw the brass nut from the converter kit on the threaded pipe to the mounting bracket. Make sure the brass nut is screwed on tight.
• Step 13: Screw the mounting plate on the threaded pipe until the plate is flush with the flat head screws. Once the mounting plate is on, take another brass nut and screw it on the threaded pipe until it is flush with the mounting plate. These steps keep the mounting plate in place.
• Step 14: Raise the medallion to the ceiling as well as the fan hanger bracket. Then bring the power outlet adapter wires as well as the ground wires through the side of the fan bracket.
• Step 15: Screw the fan hanger bracket onto the mounting plate.
• Step 16: Lift the fan and place the ball joint in the fan hanger bracket. Cut off the extra wire that comes with the fan.
• Step 17: Using wire nuts, connect the corresponding hot wires, ground wires, and neutral wires together. Then place the wiring inside the fan canopy and screw the canopy into the fan hanger bracket.

Once the electrician completes the steps, they will test to see if the lighting installed works. If everything works, then they successfully did the replacement.

Hopefully you were able to learn how to replace a recessed light with a ceiling fan. Shop HomElectrical for a number of lights, ceiling fans and other indoor lighting options today!