Fantastic Fan Installation uses STEM Education Skills

For weeks now, I’ve had an item on my to do list to install a new fan over the kitchen window. Frankly, it hasn’t been a high priority, as I live just across the freeway from Mission Bay in Coastal San Diego and, this time of year, it rarely climbs above 65 degrees. Tuesday, I was freezing. Just simply cold all day. The weather today, however, has changed. It is to be 80 degrees this afternoon, with a high of 94 expected tomorrow. For any of you who know coastal San Diego weather, especially at this time of year, this is nearly unheard of. This is in the freakishly hot category of weather. And we question global warming…. But, I digress. The point of this is that putting in the new fan wasn’t important until the weather warmed up. So, instead of spending $75 or more to call a handyman to come over and do it, in less than 30 minutes, I did it myself. I have misplaced the original image I took of this, so here is a picture of what I installed. Less than 20 minutes to install, keeps me cool, and faster than finding a handyman.

Now, I’ll admit that I cheated a bit. As the eldest daughter of a structural engineer who wanted two sons, and got three daughters, I’m pretty comfortable with tools. I own more than most guys, and have been offered a job at Home Depot. I call it my home away from home. So, I just sauntered out to the shed, grabbed my electrical dykes, couple of butt splices, cable ties, electrical crimper and insulation remover tool, the fan, screws, plastic mounting apparatus for the cable tie to slip through, and box cutter, and PRESTO!!! in the space of 30 minutes or less, my home is now at least five degrees cooler, as I am availing myself of the nice breeze in off the ocean.

This is why STEM Education skills are important not just for the high demand, high paying job you can get, but for the ability to save you a ton of money and time, doing things YOURSELF often in less time than it takes to call and schedule a repair person. It isn’t just about the job, it is about true self-sufficiency, independence, and the respect and confidence you will have for yourself and will attract from others, since you can TRULY take care of yourself. Isn’t that what its all about, anyways?