Damp outdoor ceiling fans can be installed in covered areas, such as this outdoor restaurant.
If you want to keep cool outdoors when you're enjoying your patio in the summertime, consider buying outdoor . You can choose between an Underwriters Laboratories-rated wet ceiling fan or a damp ceiling fan for outside use. Wet-rated fans can be exposed to rain and set up in uncovered areas, whereas damp fans can only be installed in covered areas, where they are protected from direct contact with the elements.
Instructions
1. Consider the type of outside covering. Look to see if the area where you want to use the fan is completely covered or if it's a more open area. If the ceiling is open, such as an uncovered patio, you will need a wet ceiling fan. If the area is completely covered and large enough that the ceiling fan will not get wet when it rains, a damp ceiling fan should be sufficient. For example, for a large, covered gazebo where rain does not enter, a damp fan would be suitable in most cases.
2. Consider the local weather conditions. If you live somewhere where the weather is mild and not very hot, you do not need a very powerful ceiling fan. You might want to save money and buy a less powerful one if the mercury remains at reasonable levels.
3. Examine the size of the area you are planning to cool. If it is a large area, you will need a fan with a larger diameter. If the ceiling fan will be hung very high up, you will also need a larger diameter.
4. Consider overhangs and low-hanging bars. Unlike indoors where the ceiling is flat and relatively empty, outdoor ceilings often have lower poles and support rods. Make sure you have a large enough space so that your fan can rotate without obstruction. You might consider a ceiling fan with a smaller diameter to make sure it will not hit anything as it rotates.
5. Find a fan that matches your outdoor decor. Outdoor ceiling fans come in a large variety of styles. You can choose to match outdoor furniture, match your type of outdoor enclosure or match the trees and plants surrounding it.
6. Consider adding lighting. You can opt to buy an outdoor ceiling fan with lighting or without. Some models will let you add lights later on. If lighting is included, make sure that the lights and fan can operate independently of each other.
7. Look for colors and materials that don't show dirt or corrode. Just because damp ceiling fans and wet are safe for outdoor use does not mean they don't get dirty or run down by the elements. If you plan to have the fan for a long time, make sure to take this into account.
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