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Step by step instructions for installing this UTILITEC Brand overhead bathroom ceiling ventilation fan with light/heater combo which was purchased from Lowe's for over $100. This installation involved getting up in the crawl space and securing it to the rafters. I recommend hiring a certified electrician to perform your wiring for you. This post of step by step pictures illustrates the process I went through and how I did it. Keep in mind I am not an electrician, just a DIY'r. I continue to be very happy with this product and the results. If you plan on doing this same upgrade I recommend you take some good measurements on the length and width of your existing fan/light and write them down before you head to the hardware store.
The first thing I did was secure the power at the breaker and verified the power was off with my battery operated voltage tester.
Used a flathead screwdriver to kind of break the paint seal to gently pry it away from the ceiling.
Removed both old bulbs.
This is the spring that holds the cover of the old light fan assembly.
Time to get up in the crawl space to access the topside of the fan. Tools in tow.
This old one is secured to the rafters. I brought my flathead screwdriver with me to pry the large industrial sized staples out of the wood. I brought my voltage tester with me as well just to be sure the power was off to it. Once I pried it loosed from the rafters I disconnected the vent ducting from the fan as well and disconnected the wiring.
Got it out of there and hauled it down to ground level. This allowed me to set the old one side by side with the new one to ensure it was going to fit as well as verify my measurements were in fact correct.
Cracked open the brand new UTILITECH brand heater ventilation fan with light.
Took a snapshot of the model number for specific reference. #0498842.
Here's a look at the brand new one right out of the box. When placed side by side with the old one there weren't any significant differences in size or configurations. I compared the exhaust opening with the old one as well. All appeared to be well for compatibility and size restrictions.
The new one will also use the rail system and get secured to the rafters the same way as the old one. I really liked this method of securing it. It provides a stable means of keeping it in place without worry of it falling.
The securing brackets/rails get inserted into the tabs on the fan itself on both sides.
One of these tabs will get popped out in order to run the wires out. It's nice because you can either run them out the top or out the side.
I unscrewed the wiring cover plate on the fan box itself to get a look at the wires.
Here is what I pulled out of the new fan box. The blue wire threw me for a loop at first. All I had coming from the existing house wires was white, black, red and green. I was scratching my head on what to do with the blue one. After some online research and phoning a friend I determined that I would treat the blue one just like the red one. In other words I would connect the blue to the reds. This worked well as the red wire is for the wall switch in this particular case. Some other online research did mention that this is not always the case and that it can vary depending on how your house is wired. This is all the more reason I recommend. you to hire an electrician if you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with how your wiring works or is set up.
The blue and the red wires coming from the fan will get wired to the red wire coming from the house.
White "neutral" wires. Don't be fooled by them being labeled as neutral. You can still get zapped by them. I placed all the white wires together.
This shows the black wire coming from the new fan. I wired the black to the black coming from the house.
Green wire coming from the fan is for the ground.
Red and blue wire from the new fan got wired to the red wire coming from the house.
Used a wire nut and tighten firmly all 4 white wires together. There were three "new" white wires that got wired to the existing white house wire.
Black wire from new fan to black wire coming from house.
Red and blue wires coming from the new fan to the red wire coming from the house.
I connected the green ground wire from the new fan to the bare copper ground wire coming from the house.
Here is the wires coming out of the new fan box up in the attic crawlspace. I screwed the new mounting brackets into the rafters using my drywall screws and my cordless drill.
I connected the new fan box to the existing vent ducting. I inspected the vent ducting for any dust or debris that could potentially cause any problems down the road. All looked clear.
Here is a look from the bottom. I made sure that it was flush with the ceiling.
Time to open up the cover plate and get it installed to the overhead.
This plastic light cover needs to be removed. It just gently pops in and out.
This clip connects the light portion on the outer cover to the fan box itself. It just easily snaps in.
This shows the male fitting clipping into the female fitting on the metal fan box.
It's time to test this thing out. I screwed a light bulb in. Then I turned the power back on at the breaker and flipped the wall switch on.
I tested out all of the functions that this thing has to offer. It was a success.
This is the screw that secures the outer plastic cover to the fan box itself.
I unscrewed the light bulb and installed the outer cover to the fan box by tightening up this Phillips head mounting screw.
I reinstalled the light bulb and snapped the outer plastic cover back on.
Mission accomplished. See the full video below.
