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.

Often rustic outdoor ceiling fans are made of weather-resistant acrylic and covered with a wood or iron finish. They should be rust resistant and the motor must be thoroughly sealed. Styles range from dark-colored wood to exposed metal to a white finish. Popular finishes are often rustic or weathered iron, dark wood finish, polished brass, and burnished bronze. If the outdoor ceiling fan has a light bulb, it is usually available in a variety of housings: standard frosted, an exposed light bulb, or a decorative casing are all fairly common.

While a traditional rustic outdoor ceiling fan would look great in a variety of settings, from a Western-themed patio to the porch of a log cabin, there are also some specialty styles available. Metal fan blades and an exposed light bulb in a metal housing are reminiscent of a lighthouse and would be appropriate for a seaside-themed residence. Some outdoor ceiling fans have ornamentation such as antlers, a tropical theme, or flower and leaf motifs. There is also a wide variety in the type and shape of fan blade available, from traditional rectangular to short, wide ovals. Some blades are shaped like petals or leaves. These fans are much more noticeable than a simple, traditional outdoor ceiling fans, and should be treated as room accents. They could add the perfect finishing touch to an outdoor space.

Prices for rustic outdoor ceiling fans usually range from $100-$300. They are available from a variety of manufacturers, online or at your local home store. Rustic outdoor ceiling fans add comfort and lighting to an outdoor living space, making it cool enough for summer entertaining without taking up any extra floor space. They are compatible with a variety of decorating styles, adding to the coziness of a bungalow or cabin or making a more modern space slightly more rustic.

The first step is determining what type of ceiling fan you need for your outdoor application. Outdoor fans are categorized by the type of water or moisture exposure they are likely to encounter.

DAMP RATED FANS:
Damp rated fans are designed to withstand damp locations such as under a covered patio, porch or over an indoor swimming pool. Any location where humidity might be elevated, even just temporarily, requires a damp-rated fixture. Damp-rated fans cannot be used where they will be exposed directly to the elements, especially rain.

WET RATED FANS:
Wet rated fans are designed to be exposed directly to the elements, such as uncovered patios, gazebos, overhangs or other locations where the fan is exposed to direct rain.

CHOOSING YOUR FAN:
Once you’ve determined the type of fan you need, its time to take some measurements. There are 2 primary measurements that must be taken into consideration before going shopping: Headroom and Width.

Headroom: Keeping in mind that most rooms have a ceiling 8 ft high, measure the distance from the floor to where you intend to mount the ceiling fan.
+ If you have 8 ft a standard installation will suffice.
+ If you have more than 8 ft you might consider installing a downrod to bring the fan closer to the floor, and, if the ceiling is angled, an angle mounting system.
+ If there is less than 8 ft clearance you will definitely need to limit your choices to flush-mounted, low-profile fans.

Width: Measure the distance from the mounting location on the ceiling and the closest wall surface. This is the maximum diameter fan that can be installed in that location. Be sure to subtract at least 2″ from your measurement to make sure you have enough room. Also check the manufacturer’s recommendations as some brands may require additional clearance.

Controls:
Damp and wet-rated ceiling fans are available with the full range of control options found on indoor-rated fans. Wired remotes and wireless remotes that control the fan, lights or both are available for outdoor-rated fixtures. Make sure that any remote control accessories you select are compatible with your fan and are designed for the installation location.

Power:
Before shopping for your fan be sure you understand the power requirement where you plan on installing the fan.
+ If electrical wiring needs to be installed its a good idea to add enough wires to allow for direct control over the fan and lighting. Wireless remotes can add $100 or more to the installation costs, they require batteries which wear out and the fixtures aren’t quite as attractive as those for wired controls.
+ If there is an existing light you can instal the fan using the existing wiring to turn the fan ON/OFF and control fan speed. If you plan on adding a lighting kit you’ll need to purchase a remote unit that also controls lighting wirelessly.
+ If wiring access is easy your electrician may suggest adding separate control wiring for the lighting. This is a great choice if access is unobstructed and the contractor won’t charge to much to add the extra wires.

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.