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Installing Oscillating Fan on Enclosed Porch

Asked August 16, 2016 by a homeowner in Electrical (Harris Redfield)

Just enclosed 8x30 porch. Would like to add at a minimum one oscillating fan to get some air movement since porch doesn't get much of the prevailing wind. Porch has one light; light is fed from single 12/2 NM wire coming off j-box under kitchen crawl space. Switch for light is inside kitchen and is end of the run switch from same j-box. The junction box is fed by single 12/2 line from circuit panel 20A single pole circuit breaker.There are four lines coming out of jbox; #1 and #2 mentioned above,#3 is for recpt for fridge and eor outside GFCI recpt, #4 is for GFCI recpt for microwave, coffee maker on kitchen counter. All white, blacks and grd wires are tied together except blk wire from light switch wire #2 is wired to white light wire. Fan wife already purchased has fan control switch with On/Off switch and oscillator speed control. Wires are blue, black, black/white, green/yellow(G).

What would you recommend as the best solution to add fan. Add new line to circuit panel with DPST 20A CB or is there a wiring solution within NEC guidelines?

Thanks for all help.

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    VNOC Handy ServicesContractorAugust 29, 2026

    To install an oscillating fan on your enclosed porch, you'll need to ensure that your existing electrical setup can handle the additional load. Since your current circuit is already servicing multiple appliances, it's advisable to avoid overloading it.

    The best solution would be to run a new dedicated line from your circuit panel to the porch. A 20A double-pole circuit breaker (DPST) is a good choice if the fan's requirements demand it, but typically, a 15A circuit would suffice for just a fan. This would help avoid any potential issues with tripping breakers or overheating.

    You'll also need to ensure that the fan is properly mounted and that all connections are secure and compliant with the National Electrical Code (NEC). Given that this involves electrical work, I strongly recommend hiring a licensed electrician to ensure safety and compliance with local codes.

    Costs for hiring an electrician can range from $50 to $100 per hour, and the total cost for this kind of job might be between $200 to $500, depending on your location and the complexity of the installation.

    As a next step, consider getting 2-3 quotes from local electricians on Handyman.com to compare costs and services.

    — Assisted answer

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