If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive way to cool off your patio and outdoor area then check out what an outdoor ceiling fan or mister can do for you.

Outdoor ceiling fans come in a variety of designs and styles to suit your personal wants and cooling needs. There are two real choices you must make whenever purchasing an outdoor ceiling fan and those are the lighting and cooling options that the fan can offer you. First off there are several ceiling fans that will run on the basic four bulbs to help add a little light to your outdoor area for those evening barbeques, but if you are looking for something different you won’t be dissapointed. You have the option of purchasing bulbs that will shine brighter at the cost of extra electricy, or you have bulbs that will shine lower or the same amount as a normal bulb while utilizing the same amount of electricty. Those bulbs that run on lower watts will be better for the environment and reduce your electricty bill, but will produce a lighter tint of light. The other option you have is the amount of air the fan produces. Like with the bulbs you can purchase a fan decked out to produce extra cooling at the cost of electricty, or a fan that runs slower with less electricty. It all depends on your personal outlook on your impact on the environment and the amount of cooling and lighter you wish to achieve.

Misters on the other side of the outdoor cooling spectrum are great for cooling off during the day when the sun is at its hottest. What a mister does is produce a continuous fine spray of water from a connected source such as a water hose. Compared to an outdoor ceiling fan misters provide about the same if not more cooling effect of an outdoor fan but without running up the utility bill. Misters do not provide the lighting options that outdoor ceiling fans do, but there are some models out there that can have lighting fictures running all along the top of the mister. Unlike with outdoor ceiling fans misters do not soley depend on electricty that can run up your bill and damage the environment more with those high lit light bulbs. The only thing you have to worry about with misters is your water usage. With most models you can change the settings to put out a finer mist that will use less water, or more of a spray that uses more water. Either way will provide you with a constant flow of water that cools you off when sitting out in your patio area.

So overall outdoor ceiling fans and misters are both great ways to cool off and add a little style to your outdoor area during those hot summer days. Deciding between the two is up to you and your personal needs. If you are looking for more of a way to cool off then go with the mister, but if you are looking for a way to add some style, light, and cool yourself off then check out the outdoor ceiling fan. Altogether though they are both great additions to your outdoor or patio area.

Acting as both a decorative element of style and a convenient supply for a fresh breeze, an outdoor ceiling fan might be the perfect last touch that you are looking for. However, searching for the right one can be tricky. To ensure that you purchase the top outdoor ceiling fan you need to know a few simple guidelines.
1. What is the difference between an indoor and an outdoor ceiling fan? Outdoor ceiling fans are made specifically with nature in mind. Although they should never be directly exposed to rain, many fans are now rated as either damp or wet fans. You should decide before shopping how much exposure your ceiling fan will have to moisture. If you suspect very little accumulation, such as an outdoor ceiling fan on a screened in porch, then a damp fan would work just fine. If, however, you expect a more natural and open location for the fan you should choose only wet models. The price of wet and damp models can differ but there is a greater variance between brands than the actual wet or damp models of a similar ceiling fan. Outdoor/Indoor ceiling fans do exist and can be used just as their name implies, in the comfort of your home or outdoors.
2. What exactly are you looking for? This is the fun part. Quite possibly even before you begin shopping you have some idea of what you are looking for. If not, in the midst of browsing you will begin to get a foundation design of what you like. Outdoor ceiling fans range from tropical themes and bright colors to rustic and rugged looks. With almost any supplier you should be able to get a wide range of shapes, contours and colors. If the look of the ceiling fan is not the most critical part of your decision, you should focus on the productivity of the device. Whether you browse online web pages or explore in store wholesalers you should be able to find a brief description including the measurements of the model and the approximate airflow it produces. Whether you want a one speed soft wafting breeze or a rapid turbulent refresher is all up to you.
3. How much are you willing to pay for it? Outdoor ceiling fan prices range from a mere $30 to well over $3000 depending on the materials used, the finish applied and other various details ie; handmade, hand drawn, etc. Similar to most products on the market the median price would certainly buy an efficient and appealing ceiling fan. The deviation of price depends on your desire for fashion, resourcefulness or the integration of both.
The best ceiling fan is one with adequate air flow, appropriate price and the adherence to your aspirations for your home.

So you’ve decided to add a ceiling fan to that back porch overhang or gazebo, but now you’re wondering how much all of this is going to cost. So before dashing off to the local discount home improvement center for some serious bargain hunting let’s take a moment to make sure you understand what you’re getting into.

You’ve got patio heaters to keep you warm in the winter, but how can you stay cool outside in the summer? An outdoor ceiling fan is a great thing to have to keep the mosquitoes at bay and otherwise keep you cool during those hot days and sultry evening. But remember to put safety first! You first have to make sure you’re getting a fan that’s actually made to be installed outdoors. Outdoor ceiling fans come in 2 types: Damp-rated for covered porches and other places where the fan will be sheltered from direct rain, and wet-rated fans which are designed to be exposed directly to the elements, including direct rain.

Determine which type you need, based on the installation location, then get out your tape measure and a paper and pencil. You need to make sure that the fan isn’t too low or too wide. Keeping in mind that a standard ceiling is 8 ft high, measure the clearance from the floor to the mounting point.

+ Ceilings lower than 8 ft will require a low profile, flush-mount fan to avoid interference issue with hats, big hair and heads.

+ Ceilings higher than 8 ft are not a problem, but do offer choices. You may want to add a droprod to lower the fan closer to the 8 ft level, and you may need to purchase an angled mounting kit if the ceiling is sloped.

Also check the minimum clearance from the mounting point to the closest wall surface. Most manufacturers have a recommended clearance, usually 2 inches less than the minimum distance to the wall.

Next check out the available power. If there’s an existing light you’re all set, and if there’s an existing light switch, you’re in even better shape. Most low-cost fans can be controlled with separate pull chains for fan and lights. An existing wall switch allows you to control the fan and light ON/OFF from the wall, and the use the pull chains to control fan sped and lighting options (ON/OFF, how many bulbs are on with each pull, etc.)

So now that you’ve identified the type of ceiling fan you need to buy, the size and mounting height requirements and the available power situation, its time to head off to the discount home improvement center to find the best fan and the best price.