Yes, it is possible to install a ceiling fan in your basement between the joists. In fact, it is easier to do than in a bedroom ceiling.

Step 1

Buy a heavy duty mounting brace with electrical box. I like this one from Home Depot since it can hold up to 70 lbs, easy to install, and has a large electrical box for storing wires.

Step 2

Assemble the fan up to at least 2 blades and place the mounting bracket on the fan mounting bracket. Take a measure from the blades to the mounting bracket that comes with the fan. Look at the two photos below for a better illustration. The photo on the left shows me measuring from the blades to the bracket of my fan installed between 2 floor joists. To help understand exactly the distance you want to measure, the photo on the left shows a fan installed to a ceiling.

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Now that you know the height form the blades to the mounting bracket, choose the distance you want the fan blades away from the joists. The largest the distance, the better the airflow, but a minimum of only 2 inches is required. I was able to go to 3.5″ inches based on the clearance underneath the light of the fan. My dad is 6′-4″ and the tallest person in my family, I didn’t want him to hit his head on the light. I chose to have the fan 6′-6″ above the floor, which equaled the 3.5″ inches between the blades on the joints.

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Step 3

Install the mounting brace per the instructions given. They generally are hammered into position, then screwed in to hold it in place. DO NOT use drywall screws as they are not structural screws. Use 1-1/4″ Construction Screws.

Step 4

Install the fan. Each fan is put together differently, so follow the manufacturers directions.

WEEKEND WARRIOR TIP: As annoying as this sounds, you should check that you have all the pieces before beginning to put your fan together. I always by-pass this step and seems I am always missing a screw and calling the fan company. Nothing is worse than having to stop a project in the middle.

The fan below is a Hunter Anslee fan with an Emerson fan remote that I installed. I like the Emerson fan remotes since Emerson has a great app to control fans, including setting a duration. I mostly use this feature when going to bed, which allows me to set the fan to go off after 3 hours. This sounds dumb and useless, but I use this feature all the time.

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Hopefully this article shows how to install a ceiling fan in a basement. We used this fan in our basement all summer without issues and with lots of air flow. The larger the distance between the fan blades and joist the better the air flow you can expect.

This was part of my full basement remodel, check it out here.

While you are working on air flow, here’s an easy way to relocate your thermostat that was installed in the wrong position.