By looking at an outdoor ceiling fan, you may think what’s the difference? In order for a ceiling fan to be UL rated for use outdoors, it must be completely sealed. A water resistant shielding protects wires and other electrical components from the weather. Also, the use of stainless steel screws and other hardware.
All the exposed parts of the fan whether its the motor housing or fan blades, must have a weather and UV resistant coating or paint. The blades are often made of ABS plastic in order to avoid warping and deterioration over time. Light fixtures used on outdoor ceiling fans must also have additional protection from moisture. Wet rated light fixtures will be completely sealed and water tight. The addition of a outdoor ceiling fan in warmer weather are worth some additional cost.
There are cheap ceiling fans for purchase without all the bells and whistles out there. Just don’t make the mistake of buying one made for indoors, pay attention to the difference in outdoor and indoor ceiling fans. Safety should always outweigh price. The risk of electrical shock or damage to the fan by shorting it out and electrical fires are all possibilities.
Tips for Choosing Outdoor Ceiling Fans
- Choose a ceiling fan that does not have blade arms, but rather one where the blades connect directly to the body of the fan. These are known as Unibody Ceiling Fans. Broken blade arms are the main demise of a ceiling fan in high winds.
- If you have a flat ceiling that is 9 feet high or less, choose a hugger style fan with a Unibody design. Fans that hang on a down rod can sway violently in strong wind, which can cause the blades to hit the ceiling and break.
- If you must choose a fan that hangs on a downrod because you have a higher ceiling, buy a fan with ABS plastic blades that are convex in shape as these will be less likely to break in the event the fan sways too much.
- If you do not like the Uni-body style fans because they are too contemporary for your application, be sure that the fan you buy has substantial blade holders.
Additional tips and best ways to buy a outdoor ceiling fan go here.
