Purchasing Outdoor Ceiling Fans

A few years ago, my wife decided that a nice covered back porch would be more to her liking than the deck I had planned. Well, I don't mind telling you I put my foot down and immediately starting making plans to build a nice, huge covered back porch. Once completed, I must admit she was right. The covered porch is definitely a nice addition to our home. However, on those hot humid afternoons, it became immediately apparent that outdoor ceiling fans were going to be a necessary addition. Fans were already planned but had been put off in the interest of the budget. Since the porch was pre-wired with electrical boxes and wiring the only thing left to do was to purchase and install the fans.

The first thing to do is to determine the style, model and price of the new ceiling fans. Keep in mind, it is necessary to purchase fans made specifically for outdoor use. If you place an indoor fan in an outdoor location, be prepared to replace it because it is going to break down after a short time. Outdoor ceiling fans are manufactured to different standards than indoor fans. Outdoor ceiling fans are manufactured to be stronger and able to handle the frequent changes in temperature. They are usually made of plastic or resins where indoor fans can be made from soft woods that are unable to maintain their shape in the changing weather conditions. Do not assume that the fans you are purchasing are made for outdoor use. Make sure that the fans are specifically marked for outdoor use. Do not settle for uncertainty.

Also keep in mind that there are different grades of outdoor ceiling fans. Some are rated and marked 'Suitable for Damp Locations' and some are marked 'Suitable for Wet Locations'. A damp location is an exterior or interior location that is normally or periodically subject to condensation of moisture in, on, or adjacent to, electrical equipment, and includes partially protected locations. A wet location is a location in which water or other liquids may drip, splash or flow on or against electrical equipment. Therefore, be sure you choose the fan that is most suitable for the location it will be installed. For my installation, the damp location outdoor ceiling fans were suitable since they will be underneath the covered porch where they will not come into direct contact with water.

Now that you have determined the type of outdoor ceiling fans you need, you can drill down and determine the exact fans you would like. Investing time and money in a ceiling fan is a serious decision. Even the outdoor models provide countless options and features. However, if you take your time and do a little research, I am sure you will be able to locate the perfect ceiling fans for you location.