Outdoor Ceiling Fans

If you are planning on installing a ceiling fan in an outdoor location, it is prominent to purchase a fan that is designed specifically for that purpose. If you setup an indoor fan in an outdoor area it is likely to short out (which can be hazardous) or plainly break down prematurely. Outdoor ceiling fans are designed differently than indoor ceiling fans because they need to be able to the troops of mum nature.

Here are some of the ways that outdoor ceiling fans differ from those made for indoors:

Fan

The decorative motor casing is whether sealed or designed to forestall water or moisture from arrival in experience with the actual motor inside. The wiring is a higher grade with supplementary shielding. Screws and other components are typically made of stainless steel. The stop on the motor casing and hardware is ordinarily a weather resistant powder coat, stainless steel, or has some supplementary protective coating that can deal with exposure to the elements. The blades are likely made of Abs plastic rather than plywood. Abs is a very strong durable material that resists warping and discoloration from moisture or Uv exposure. Light fixtures are sealed on top and designed for outdoors The mounting hardware is whether water tight or designed to forestall water from entering from above.
There are 2 types of outdoor ceiling fans, those rated for Damp locations and those rated for Wet locations. There is a paramount incompatibility in the middle of the two and it is prominent that you choose the right type for your application. In whether case, make sure the fan you purchase is Ul Listed for the application you need so that you know it can be safely installed without creating a inherent electrical hazard.

Here are the differences in the middle of the two types of outdoor fans:

Damp rated outdoor fans are designed to deal with moisture but not direct experience with rain or running water. Therefore, a damp rated outdoor ceiling fan can be installed in a covered area such as a patio or screened in porch or other areas that are protected from rain or dripping water.

Wet rated outdoor fans are designed to deal with direct exposure to rain. They can be installed in virtually any indoor or outdoor location, covered or uncovered. So you can setup a wet rated outdoor ceiling fan in an open gazebo, lattice covered lanai or other similar shade structure as well as under a covered porch or patio. Because wet rated outdoor fans are pretty much water tight, you can really clean them by hosing them off...which is a great presuppose to buy a wet rated fan even if all you need is a damp rated model.

Commonly asked questions about outdoor fans:

Can an outdoor ceiling fan be installed indoors?

Yes, you can setup an outdoor fan in your living room or any other room in your home where you want a fan. Many citizen will do this plainly because they like the look of a particular outdoor fan. Also, outdoor fans are very recommended for laundry rooms and bathrooms or any other room inside your home that that tends to have excessive moisture. In more humid climates, outdoor fans are a great choice for every room in the home.

I live in a very windy area and have had problems with blades breaking off...are there any outdoor fans that are made to deal with high winds?

High winds can in fact sheer the blades off a ceiling fan, particularly economy models that use lightweight materials. ordinarily it is the metal blade holders that attach the blades to the fan that break rather than the blades themselves. So if you are in an area prone to high winds, outdoor fans that do not have blade holders are your best choice. If the fan is to be installed in an area that is 9 feet high or less, a hugger style outdoor fan is even better. A excellent example of such a fan is the Minka Aire view Ii Wet, which is one of the very few outdoor fans that meet this criteria.

Are there any outdoor fans that are designed to be taken down really or that have blades that are easy to take off when a storm is coming?

This is a very common question. Unfortunately the riposte is no. There are no ceiling fans designed with a "Quick Disconnect" mechanism or with blades that snap on and off. However, I suppose that if any fan manufacturer came up with such a fan it would be a big seller.

Running wires and installing a junction box can be difficult in many outdoor applications. Are there any outdoor ceiling fans that are battery operated?

Although Dc powered ceiling fans are now in fact available, they are not yet excellent adequate to deal with the needs of outdoor applications, nor are they being designed to work from batteries. Currently, most Dc powered ceiling fans use an Ac/Dc converter, so they still require electrical wiring. However, I would look for this to convert in the near future...most likely in the next year or two.

Can a remote control be added to an outdoor ceiling fan?

Most add-on remotes or wall controls are not rated for use outdoors, so unless the control is specifically designed for the fan you are considering and is rated for the exact application (Damp or Wet), then you should not use it. If a remote control or wall control is prominent to you, look for outdoor fans that have such a control included with the fan.

Can any light fixture be added to an outdoor ceiling fan?

No. Just as ceiling fans are rated for Damp or Wet locations, so are the light fixtures that are used with them. Make sure you purchase a light fixture that is made by the manufacturer of the fan and that has the same rating. If you want an outdoor fan with a light fixture, your best bet is to purchase one comes with one, this way you can be confident they are compatible.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans

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