Outdoor Ceiling Fans Info and Buyer's Guide

Outdoor ceiling fans provide for a way to keep cool yet remain outside and enjoy a sunny day on your front porch.  They are also referred to as indoor outdoor ceiling fans. There's many different brands available on the market at varying prices, making them a reasonable purchase for your outdoor setting. Many of the outdoor fans can also be used as indoor fans should you ever decide you wanted to swap out.

Since there's many companies and models of outdoor ceiling fan as well as several purchase considerations, your buying decision may be complex. This webpage will give you more information to help make your buying decision for an outdoor ceiling fan.

Outdoor fan manufacturers currently include companies such as Hunter, Queensland, Emerson, Harbor Breeze, and the Monte Carlo Fan Company.  Currently outdoor ceiling fans can be purchased for anywhere from about $70 up to over $700, depending on the design, size and features included.  Many of the companies mentioned have been in business for years and have strong reputations for designing top quality fans with innovative features always being unveiled.

One example of a reputable fan company, Hunter, currently offers a wide range of fans. Hunter's ceiling fans generally have light fixtures, and you can select the custom blade finish such as a white, black, cherry, mahogany or even the unique look of a tropical outdoor ceiling fan finish.  The Hunter fans also include limited 30 year warranties and remote controls as well as wall mount controls. Several of their models are also rated as Energy Star Products.

Hunter's outdoor ceiling fan models include the Maui Bay, Sea Breeze and the Summer Night in 42" or 52" sizes.  The Sea Breeze model is considered great for any area exposed to the elements (like a gazebo), while the Summer Night is considered "weather proof" and is better for covered areas such as a front porch.  Most of their fans offer you at least 4 different choices for blade finish, making your choice more flexible as to which fan you go with.

When choosing your fan you'll want to pay attention to cost, but also make several other considerations before you buy. These include the blade types, finishes, and the fan size as well as the location you'll be installing the fan at.

The blades of the fan you choose are important. Are they weather resistant? Will the fan handle the weather in the area you install it?

There are two types of indoor/outdoor fan: damp-rated or wet-rated. Damp-rated outdoor ceiling fans can't be exposed to water. Wet-rated ceiling fans can be exposed to the elements, which also makes them easier to clean. Basically, you can put the damp-rated in a area with a overhead, and the wet-rated can be used just about anywhere, without worry of a big storm damaging it. This plays an important part in your buying decision.

The finish style of the fan is also important. Does it look good in the area you are placing the fan? You'll probably want to match the finish and style to that of the outdoor furniture, porch finish, or even light fixtures. Luckily, the manufacturers provide you with multiple finish choices for the blades on many models.

You'll also want to look at the size of the fan and ceiling height. Blade spans can go up to as much as 68" inches. You'll want to select blade span that is proportional to your outdoor space. Will the fan you choose install in the location you want it to comfortably, or will it be awkward? Will it hang too high or too low above people's heads? Fans that are placed up too high can be out of range to provide maximum breezes. There are kits available and downrods to help make sure your fan is at the best height so it provides the best air circulation for those below it.

Another consideration is more about the area you're installing in. How easy will it be to hook up to electrical power? Will this require more installation and parts cost out of your pocket?  Will you be able to do it yourself, or will you require an installer?  These questions will factor into the total cost of your fan.

Keep these above factors in mind when shopping around for your indoor/outdoor ceiling fan product so that you don't end up with a fan you don't like, or that you can't effectively use in your preferred location.

We recently purchased two of the Harbor Breeze outdoor fans from our local Lowes store, and so far have found these to be a delightful addition to the porch.  They provide a nice cool breeze which blows down upon you even on the hottest of days.  Not only are they great for humans, but if your pets go to the areas you have these fans, they'll love you even more for the cool breezes they provide.  On this webpage, you can learn a bit more about these fans by Harbor Breeze, and for the most part this discussion may help you consider their fans for purchase, or other brands as well.

Why I Like these Fans

These fans are quite simple.  Installation took about a day's time from our installer.  It required drilling into the overhead ceiling over the porch and then doing the electrical wiring, so that we could control the fans from our inside lightswitch.  Of course it probably sounds simpler written here, but the process isn't too complex and includes instruction manuals with these fans.  The two fans sit at opposite ends of the porch and each has 5 blades on it.  They have three speed settings from low to medium to high, as well as a nice dome light for night time use.  This can be great for having night time gatherings out on your porch or deck or wherever else you decide to install them.

Remote Control Functionality

While the Harbor Breeze fans have the customary pull strings on them for both fan speed and light, they also include a handy remote control.  According to the remote specifications, it will operate up to 40 feet away from the outdoor fan.  The remote includes basic controls.  It has an on/off light dimmer button in the center.  Surrounding that button are 4 other buttons.  These control fan speed, with three varying speeds and then the ON/OFF button.  It's handy to have as you can control multiple fans from one controller as well.  Since we have two installed on our front porch, it makes shutting them on and off quite easy.  The remote controls can be purchased separately in case you lose them for under $50.  There's also a wall mount control available as well with all of the aforementioned features.

If you live in an area where you have to endure hot muggy weather outside, you may want to install one or more of the outdoor ceiling fans in a spot you like to relax.  Suggested locations are in open-outdoor deck or sun rooms, the front porch, gazebo, or other spacious outdoor areas with overhead roofing.  If you choose all-weather model, then the sky's the limit for your fan, just as long as you don't place it up too high.  Overall, you'll find that these outdoor fans will be a nice, stylish addition to keep you cool so you can still be outside on those hot and humid days.