In the searing heat of summer, it can be relaxing to sit in the shade and have a drink or two. Summer can also be the perfect time to throw an outdoor party, especially if you own a pool, but given that searing and excessive heat make your outdoor living experience uncomfortable, even in the shade, installing a ceiling fan in porch or balcony that has a roof, will allow you to live and entertain in style. Outdoor ceiling fans with lights allow you to extend your party into the long hot summer night are very popular with families for their versitile nature.
There are a wide variety of outdoor fans with lights to suit any porch, balcony, gazebo or any other roofed area that is exposed to the elements, however selecting the right one for you, is a source for confusion. For those who are not too fussed about quality, there are outdoor ceiling fan with light options that won’t cost you a fortune, however the general rule of thumb is that a dirt cheap fan is prone to wearing out a lot faster. While there are many good quality fans that can be purchased cheaply, it is generally not recommended sacrificing quality for a cheaper price.
Why An Outdoor Ceiling Fan With Lights?
So why purchase an outdoor ceiling fan with lights rather than a regular no-light ceiling fan? The advantage of a built-in light is an advantage when one’s ceiling space is limited, with an outdoor fan light, you do not need to install the fan and outdoor ceiling lighting separately as you would when purchasing outdoor ceiling fans without lights. This saves you the time and trouble of setting up both systems separately and means you do not have to set up different wirings. Having lights above your balcony on a warm summer night, allows you and your friends to socialize even when the sun comes down, while temperatures are cooler in the evening, some parts of the world are so hot that it is uncomfortable all times of the day, which is when outdoor fan lights makes the most sense.
What Type Of Outdoor Fan Should I Purchase?
The number of outdoor ceiling fan light kits is vast. You will not be short on choice when it comes to finding a great ceiling fan to match your current covered outdoor living area, so to answer the question of which one is the best to purchase, it will simply come down to your individual preferences and sense of style.
The most important thing to be aware of when shopping for outdoor ceiling fans with lights is that it be UL rated. UL is a global independent safety company that provides independent safety testing of products and buying products that are UL certified ensures a level of safety and reliability with your products. Given an outdoor ceiling fan with lights is exposed to high levels of wind, humidity and heat, components of a good quality ceiling fan will be weather proof and will include good sealing around the motor protecting against rust and mechanical failure, so given that these fans are rated for outdoor weather, fans that are UL-rated can be considered both indoor outdoor ceiling fans with lights.
Outdoor fans also generally differ from indoor ones in that they are made from ABS resin or plastic rather than normal plywood, however blades that are made from washable sail cloth surrounding a frame are also very popular due to their vibrant and trendy looks.
What To Look For
One of the best ways to get an idea for a ceiling fan outdoor is to do a search on the internet on a website like Amazon or one of the other major online stores. The Amazon search engine, allows you to narrow down your view by choosing various filters. On Amazon you have the option of searching by price range, diameter, manufacture and more and by reading reviews left by other customers, you can get an idea of how a given produce has performed for others in practice.
When it comes to purchasing outdoor ceiling fans with lights, there are a number of ways in which items vary. Below is a summary of the most common of these to look for when it comes to buying your fan.
Outdoor Ceiling Fans That Are Wet Rated
When buying ceiling fans outdoor, that an outdoor ceiling fans wet rated is important as fans that are permanently outdoors are subjected to prolongued exposure to the elements. There are two general types of outdoor ceiling fans, damp rated and wet rated fans. Damp rated fans cannot be directly exposed to water, so are best suited to high ceilings where there is sufficent coverage that will protect the outdoor fans ceiling from rain. Wet rated ceiling fans, on the other hand can have the heavens pour on them and not get damaged. These types of outdoor ceiling fans are more durable, but more expensive.
Fan Blades
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| Examples of different ceiling fan blade types | ||
There are a number of different fan rotor shapes, and sizes and the number of fan blades also varies from three up to about six. The most common number of fan blades are three or five, with four also being reasonably common. The rotor shape is commonly flat, but often has a curved shape like a leaf. There are more elaborate designs available too, to suit a variety of tastes.
The pitch of fan blades is the angle of the blade (measured in degrees) is the primary performance consideration. Higher pitches tend to move more air (measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM), however other factors also determine this such as the speed of the fan as well as motor and blade design. The number of blades as well as blade length will also determine the fan’s overall CFM rating.
To prevent against peeling, warping or bubbling, the fan blades of outdoor ceiling fans with light kits should be sealed against moisture. Many manufacturers provide special finishes to prevent against tarnishing and scratches. The highest quality fan blades are carefully balanced and weighed before they are shipped to stores. They come in factory matches sets, so cannot be switched out with other fans. Many manufacturers offer a variety of blade styles and unique finishes for a particular fan.
Motor
There are two basic types of fan motors that can be purchased. Those that are lubricated and sealed ball bearings as well as those with bearings that rotate in an oil bath. Better lubrication will provide you with smooth operation and the longevity of your fan. There is little to no maintenance required for a motor with sealed bearings, whereas oil baths need occasional service, which should be kept in mind when making your purchase.
More powerful motors and performance grade fans are made to be used continuously and quietly, however these are usually the most expensive models to buy. Medium grade fans are adequate for using 12 hours per day or less, whereas economy or moderate grade fans are best when used for less than 8 hours per day. On the other hand they are the least expensive.
Motor Housing
The fan motor is housed within a decorative part of the fan. Fans that are constructed from heavier materials such as diecast metals tend to suffer less from vibration and are generally more stable when used over longer periods of time. They provide a good surface for high quality finishes, appearance-wise.
Heavy duty windings, shock absorbent internal components and precision engineering bearings are other factors that ensure a ceiling fan’s longevity, but generally cost more.
Fan Diameter
Fans span a variety of different diameters from 29-60 inches, with 52 inches being the most common and 54 inches also relatively popular. The size of fan you need is determined by the area of space you need. If your outdoor space is large, choose a large outdoor fan, if your space is limited, then carefully measure the ceiling area where the fan will be set up. Perhaps a 42 outdoor ceiling fan or smaller will be a better fit for your available space. The following table can be used as a guide for choosing the ideal fan size.
| Dimensions of Room | Recommended Fan Size |
|---|---|
| Up to 75 ft2 | 29 – 36″ |
| 76 – 144 ft2 | 36 – 42″ |
| 144 – 225 ft2 | 44″ |
| 225 – 400 ft2 | 50 – 54″ |
Mounting System
Ceiling fans should be at least seven feet above the floor and eighteen inches from the walls. The higher the fan, the more optimal the airflow usually is, with eight to nine feet being the optimal height. There are several different mounting systems for ceiling fans including standard mounts which feature a three to five-inch rod with the appearance of a metal pipe (called a downrod) that extends from the ceiling bracket to the top of the fan, extended mounts which add additional length to each downrod for hight ceilings, flush mounts on the other hand are a good option for lower ceilings as they mount the fan directly to the ceiling and finally sloped mounts are best for vaulted or angled ceilings.
Light Style
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| Ceiling fan light types | ||
You should choose a ceiling fan with light that is a good fit aesthetically to your outdoor area while keeping in mind the way it will cast light into your space. Outdoor ceiling fans with lights come in different shapes and different bulb configurations. Most feature a single light bulb and a standard dome shape cover, while other feature two or more spot-light-like light bulb covers, allowing for a more directional lighting effect, others still are shaped like candles.
When buying an outdoor fan with lights installed, it will also pay to investigate whether the light bulb is standard or custom designed for the particular fan you are interested in. If the latter, of concern will be how difficult it will be to find a replacement outdoor ceiling fan light, should the need arrive. You might consider purchasing additional outdoor ceiling fans lights, and keep a few spares around in case you are left in the dark when the current light bulb reaches the end of its life.
Tropical Outdoor Ceiling Fans
Brand
As with almost any product, it is often safest to purchase a large and recognised brand. Some of the more popular light shade brands include Hunter, Sea Gull Lighting, Minka Aire, Monte Carlo and Westinghouse, although there are many other brands that also offer good quality ceiling fan lighting kits.
Hunter Outdoor Ceiling Fans
Hunter outdoor ceiling fans are among the most poular brands in the market, chances are if you buy an outdoor fan it is a hunter outdoor fan, but you should buy hunter outdoor fans simply because they are pouplar. The main reason for buying hunter outdoor ceiling fans with lights is because of their great range of fans in terms of both quality and the wide variety of hunter fans to choose from. Simply put, buying a hunter outdoor ceiling fan is a great investment in your outdoor living experience and a smart choice.
Casablanca Outdoor Fans
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| Casablanca Fans 79U11D 53″ Lanai Energy Star WET Outdoor Fan | Casablanca 41U11D 31″ Wailea Ceiling Fan, Snow White | Casablanca Fans C19546K 60″ Heritage WET Outdoor Fan |
| Price: $299.00 | Price: $180.77 | Price: $539.00 |
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| Casablanca C12D9DD 52″ Cottage Wet Ceiling Fan, Distressed Classic White | Casablanca 79U49D 53″ Lanai Outdoor Ceiling Fan, Washed Bronze | Casablanca 83U46D 52″ Four Seasons III Outsider Ceiling Fan, Rustic Iron |
| Price: $386.56 | Price: $149.99 | Price: $199.00 |
Price Ranges
There are a wide variety of outdoor ceiling fans to select from. As pointed out above, the best performing and longest lived fans will generally cost more. Given that outdoor ceiling fans with lights will be subjected to the harsher outdoor conditions, it follows that you will get the best results from avoiding cheap and tacky models. That said there are many nice models to choose from that won’t break your budget.
Outdoor Ceiling Fans With Lights Below $100
It is possible to purchase cheap outdoor ceiling fans with lights, but as the old adage goes, you do get what you pay for and this is also true with outdoor ceiling fans. But we still think there are some great discount outdoor ceiling fans to choose from too.
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