What Kind of Outdoor Ceiling Fan Do I Need?

Recently I was shopping for a ceiling fan to put outside on my covered deck. I researched online and realized that if I wanted my new fan to last, I couldn’t simply pick any style and put whichever one I liked best out there. I learned that there are ceiling fans for indoor use, and then there are special outdoor ceiling fans that are designed for my application.

After learning about that difference, I quickly realized that there are two types of outdoor models available. There are damp rated and wet rated ceiling fans, both intended for use outside. However, certain applications require a wet rated ceiling fan, but in others it makes no difference whether a damp rated ceiling fan or wet rated model is used.

Damp Rated

If you are thinking of installing a ceiling fan under any outdoor structure protected by a roof overhead, then a damp rated ceiling fan is all you will ever need.

The reason is that damp rated outdoor ceiling fans are protected from things such as corrosion and such, and all of their components are meant to withstand outdoor elements such as heat, cold, and humidity. They can even withstand a little mist from blowing rain without causing damage, but they aren’t designed to handle direct downpours of rain, and this is why they require a roof overhead to protect them.

Damp rated models sometimes use hand-carved sealed furniture-grade wood blades. Although ABS plastic blades are more durable, the real wood creates a much richer look, and goes better with the look of high-end furniture used in the décor of luxury covered patios and decks. The sealed wood will also last just as long in exterior applications, but only as long as the area is covered and the only moisture getting to the fan is that of normal and expected humidity.

When Wet Rated is Required

If you are thinking of instilling a ceiling fan under a structure such as a pergola, where there is no ceiling or true roof overhead, and direct rainfall will be coming down from above onto your new ceiling fan, then you are going to need a wet rated outdoor ceiling fan.

The components of wet rated ceiling fans are sealed to prevent any water from seeping into areas where it can do damage. Areas where the wiring comes up from the motor are usually sealed by using silicone in wet rated fans, and if the ceiling fan is controlled by a tradition pull chain, and reversed by a traditional reverse switch, those areas are usually protected by a rubber shield to prevent water from getting in. Outdoor ceiling fans that are wet rated and are controlled only by remote controls do not need the rubber shields, but they will still be sealed to prevent any water from getting into areas where the remote components are hidden.

Most wet rated models use ABS plastic blades, instead of wooden blades, and definitely not cheap pressboard blades as indoor budget friendly ceiling fans sometimes use. ABS plastic can withstand extreme heat without warping, and contact with water will not harm an ABS fan blade.

Using Outdoor Fans Indoors

Both damp rated and wet rated outdoor ceiling fans can be used indoors.

You should never use an indoor ceiling fan outside. However, it never hurts to use an outdoor ceiling fan inside of the home. Indoor and outdoor ceiling fans are offered with the same control features, the only difference is the way they are sealed and sometimes the materials they are build with. Therefore, if you love the style of a ceiling fan that is outdoor rated, damp or wet, then do not hesitate to use it in your interior décor space.

In Summary

An UL approved outdoor rating is necessary when installing ceiling fans outside of your home.

A wet rated outdoor ceiling fan is required if you will be installing your new fan in any area where there will be no roof overhead. An area such as a pergola is one example.

A damp rated model is all most will need, because they can be used in any outdoor area as long as there is a roof overhead.

Remember, you can always install an outdoor ceiling fan inside of your home, but never make the mistake of installing an indoor only model outside. Indoor fans will not hold up to the elements.
 

Led Lighting Miami - Chandeliers and LED Lighting Store

We recognize that quality lighting improves a home. Our residential lighting service pairs the finest products with an expert installation. Lighting Paradise LEDs saves money, protects the environment, and beautifully illuminates every room. And the best bit? You can sit back and relax while our qualified electricians take care of the installation. Contact us now for more information.

Why Lighting Paradise?

Lighting Paradise Miami's Largest Lighting Showroom Featuring 15000+ Ceiling Lights, Crystal chandeliers, Lamps and Fans. Lighting Paradise in Miami, specialize in low voltage recessed halogen lamps, fine alabaster and crystal chandeliers. The benefits of a residential LED upgrade can be seen in every room of your house - and on the electricity bill too. LEDs last longer and are stronger than other lighting solutions, meaning you will save money on energy costs and replacement unit globes. Choosing Lighting Paradise makes your LED installation procedure easier and much more efficient.

The advantages of LED lighting have become widely appreciated by customers because they replace standard filament, halogen and fluorescent strip lighting. To commence with, LED lighting could be more attractive, energy conserving, cost-effective and long lasting than normal methods. Mark Wray, B2B huge energy solutions sales supervisor in E.ON said “a leading edge lighting solution can help the client make sizeable energy, price and CO2 savings while improving the overall working environment, comfort and productivity. “This can be a simple one-for-one retrofit, right the way through to a complex full redesign.” Wray notes that some projects E.ON has delivered have seen up to 90pc reductions in lighting costs thanks to LEDs, but stresses that to get the greatest efficiency it’s important that businesses tailor any approach to their specific site, as a poorly implemented LED swap will not necessarily lead to savings on its own.

Generally though, it isn’t difficult for a new lighting solution to make a difference in the bottom line relatively quickly. In terms of energy efficiency, a standard 50W halogen lamp uses just 10pc of the electricity it consumes for producing its light.

In a commercial building filled with halogen bulbs, swapping out these bright but inefficient lights could see businesses reduce their lighting bills by a massive 90pc.6 although their prices are falling rapidly, LED lights are initially expensive to buy compared to fluorescent tubes. However, some LED lights have an operating lifespan of some 70,000 hours, which is eight to 10 times longer than standard lamps, according to Philips LUMEC.7 And since there are zero filaments, LEDs may withstand a greater strength of vibration and shock than regular lights and can come in contact with rain and snow - which explains why Maglite, the maker of rough-and-hard torches, has taken up to with them in its items employed by the united states police and military.

LEDs have got other advantages within their size. LEDs are often as small as 2mm, making them perfect for fitting into hard-to-reach and small areas. Furthermore, LED lights have specific aesthetic advantages over traditional incandescent lights which depend on highly inefficient filter systems to produce colour.

While LEDs can be found in a number of base colors such as for example crimson, green, blue and amber they may also be blended collectively to produce an incredible number of colour choices, without including specific filter systems for every. It is this which makes them perfect for interactive signage, signalling, marketing hoardings and decorative lighting of buildings.

Furthermore, LED lights are more eco-friendly, given that they contain zero mercury or additional harmful gasses or emit any harmful Ultra violet rays - both minor but nonetheless real concerns for users of easily broken fluorescent strip bulbs - and crucially, few LED lights contain glass. And when it comes to the environment, a 13w LED light emits 68pc less carbon dioxide than a standard 40w incandescent bulb, running 10 hours per day.

Lighting The Home

One thing that your home needs is lighting. Instead of boring lights that are in a standard lamp or that are in a plain fixture on the ceiling, consider a few ideas that will create a customized look in the home. A modern lighting Florida company has all of the lighting fixtures and bulbs that you need to decorate your home.

image:www.lightstyleoforlando.com

When you position the main light in the home, often in the living room, it should be one that hangs down. It should be positioned so that it doesn't create a lot of shadows. This might mean exploring different design options with the light itself, but you'll see a benefit because of the excess light in the room. Chandeliers are a good option and come in numerous modern designs. You can use a chandelier style in any room of the home but are often seen in the living room, kitchen and dining room.

Change the appearance of any room in the home by putting standing lamps in the corners instead of putting lamps on end tables. This simple change will make the room seem larger. If you want to keep the end tables in the room, then position them in the corners as well with taller lamps stead of those that are shorter. Illuminate posters and pictures with lamps that are placed on the frame or directly below the image to cast a soft light on the surface. An idea is to use a design similar to what you would find in a retail store when you see lights on a wall highlighting a special piece of clothing or accessory. Wall lights can be used to create a soothing atmosphere or one that is a bit more romantic. This is an option to consider when you want to relax after a long day or if you want to spend time alone with someone without harsh lights shining in the room. When you begin looking for lamps and bulbs to use, think about your personality and what kind of lamp will reflect what you enjoy in each room of the home.

7 Reasons Why You Should Winterize Your Home

Winterize to Protect Your Pipes – Nothing is worse than a busted pipe causing water to leak out all over the inside of your home. During the cold winter months, pipes will freeze easily causing breakage and water leaks. One way to prevent this problem is to keep a small trickle of water running or at least a dripping faucet to keep water moving through the pipes making it less likely to freeze. A less wasteful option is to insulate pipes in areas of your home that are not heated. Pipes located inside cabinets underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks can get pretty cold so opening the cabinets can allow heat to warm the pipes, or you may want to insulate these pipes. Don’t forget to turn off all valves to outside irrigation systems and faucets.

Winterize to Protect Your Roof – Leaves and debris collect on your roof and gutters all year long. When water freezes in a clogged gutter, you will have a mess that could back up and damage your roof. Keep downspouts clean so water can run out and be deposited at least 10 feet from your house. If you live in an area with heavy snow, be sure to rake off snow and ice to keep your roof from being damaged.

Winterize to Protect Against Fires– Colder weather means more fires in wood stoves and fireplaces. Be sure to have your fireplace and chimney inspected to be sure they are safe. Creosote can build up inside the chimney and create a fire hazard so be sure to have your chimney cleaned and a chimney cap installed. Installing a quality set of fireplace doors to close after the fire is out is a good way to ensure no sparks will pop out onto your floor. Replace batteries in all your smoke detectors and make sure one is located on every level of your home. If you use an electric space heater, be sure to beep all fabrics and materials within a safe distance and unplug the unit when you are not nearby.  

Winterize to Save Money – Caulking around doors and windows can save you a bundle on your heating bill. Installing storm doors and windows is also a good way to ensure the heat stays in and the cold air stays out. Investing in a programmable thermostat is a good way to save on energy bills. These type thermostats can be programmed to turn down the temperature when nobody is home and warm up your home when your family is there.

Winterize to Keep Safe from Carbon Monoxide Leaks– Odorless and dangerous, carbon dioxide leaks can cause real problems. Have your furnace checked out for carbon monoxide leaks and purchase a carbon monoxide detector from your local hardware store. Check with your energy provider to see if they will inspect your furnace for free or for a small charge.

Winterize to Keep Tree Branches from Damaging Your Roof– We all love the shade of trees around our home during the spring and summer months but with colder weather comes ice and snow that can weigh down branches and cause then to break and damage your roof. Have a tree service come to your home and inspect your yard for dead trees and branches that need to be trimmed or removed before colder temperatures arrive.  

Winterize to Keep the Perimeter of Your Home Safe– With the shorter days and longer nights of winter upon us, don’t be left in the dark.  Make sure outdoor flood lights work properly and walkway lights are in good repair. Making sure walkways are clear and all light bulbs are replaced can ensure no one trips and falls.  Extra outdoor lighting also deters burglars from breaking in your home.

Sofia Robinson writes for HeatilatorFireplaceDoors.com. The home builders’ choice when it comes to fireplace and replacement doors.