Outdoor fans; what's important?

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ElMostro

ElMostro

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San Antonio, TX.
I am redoing my back patio and will soon be installing ceiling fans. The ceiling is about 18 feet long and the height starts at about 10 feet and slopes to a bit over 8 feet. The fans will NOT be exposed to rain but it can get very humid/damp in San antonio. I am looking for outdoor ceiling fans...I figured a 54" blade minimum, rated for humid/damp environment, capable of moving a lot of air (does the blade length of pitch (or both) determine this?) What other considerations should I have in mind?

Thanks for the assist, Eugene
 
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outdoor fans

ElMostro said:
I am redoing my back patio and will soon be installing ceiling fans. The ceiling is about 18 feet long and the height starts at about 10 feet and slopes to a bit over 8 feet. The fans will NOT be exposed to rain but it can get very humid/damp in San antonio. I am looking for outdoor ceiling fans...I figured a 54" blade minimum, rated for humid/damp environment, capable of moving a lot of air (does the blade length of pitch (or both) determine this?) What other considerations should I have in mind?

Thanks for the assist, Eugne
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Both to some extent along with speed of rotation. The package or the instructions might tell you how much air the fans will move usually in Cubic Feet Per Minute CFM...I would think that in your case you'll be more interested in the volume of air than in how fast it's moving. The longer the blade and the faster the rotation the more air you will probably be moving.
 
I'm no electrian....and I have never slept at a Holiday Inn Express(disclaimer over)


You might consider using a CFGI(or whatever the're called) like used in the bathroom so you don't get zapped or something if they are somewhat moist.....

Would think the big, fat type blades would move air very well. That way if the 'pitch' isn't exactly right....they will still work well.




Scott (nothing better then sittin' in a breeze) B
 
I recently put a new ceiling fan on my screened in porch. I bought it from a local fan store and got one that was rated to take moisture. It is an outside fan. Not sure if that was over kill or not but that is what I did. It was about $200 while a comparable indoor model was maybe $150. I also put two of them in my garage.
 
You can get 52" (I think, maybe 54") at home depot or Lowes for around $190. Put it on a !2" down rod, takes care of roof slope around $10 and putting it on a GFI circuit as previously stated for safety. All very simple to install.
 
Outdoor fans have pvc blades and the cfm rating is on the boxes. You may need a down rod, depends on ceiling slope where you put it and how tall your folks are. If tapping into a outdoor recept for power it should be on a GFCI already but make sure. You can put a remote on it if so desired.
 
Check

AceMrFixIt said:
Outdoor fans have pvc blades and the cfm rating is on the boxes. You may need a down rod, depends on ceiling slope where you put it and how tall your folks are. If tapping into a outdoor recept for power it should be on a GFCI already but make sure. You can put a remote on it if so desired.
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Yes sound advice -- do make sure because depending on the age of the house or how long ago the outdoor circuit was installed it might well not be, and if you're tapping into an indoor source unless it is kitchen or bathroom it won't be.
 
Outdoor use

trickydick said:
I live in San Antonio and have two Hampton Bay fans 48" that have been in place for 9 years. The humidity does not seem to bother them.
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If the fans are designed for outdoor use and are properly installed humidity won't bother the electrical at all...but judging from outdoor light fixtures around here it might well bother the appearance.
 
Thanks all for the replies. I am thinking of running a separate breaker box just for the outside so it can manage the power for the fridge, disposal, lights, stove, sound and a couple of extra outlets (bec you can never have too many). Box will be GFCI (at the breakers). My biggest concern with the fans is #1 that they do the job and #2 that being outside they don't end up all dirty with the outside dust, so is there a material that is easier to clean? I have seen some with whicker blades and in my mind those would be "dirt collectors".

Thanks again, Eugene.
 
You could run a 220 line out to a small sub box. Use GFI breakers in the sub box split the 220 in the sub box to the circuts you need. Lowes has/had cabana type fans 3 blades large leaf shaped like a Palm or something. Should move plenty of air at a slow speed. If they dont do it for you take it back!!
 
I have an outdoor fan. It has a metal finish, it has been in for 10 years and still works fine but the finish is not looking very good. I will probably replace it with a different finish, maybe a painted one. I would also agree with the earlier post on the remote control.
 
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