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Outdoor Ceiling Fans Wet Rated and Damp Rated Outdoor Fans
Outdoor ceiling fans are useful appliances that can provide a cooling effect even in outdoor areas. Thanks to these fans, there’s no reason for you to escape indoors during the hot summer days.
You can now enjoy reading or lounging under the sun without feeling hot. And since you can’t exactly have air conditioning outdoors, these fans are practically the only way to add cooling to an outdoor area.
The great thing about using ceiling fans outdoors is that these stylish cooling appliances can also add more character and decorative appeal to the façade of your house. Since they come in traditional styles or contemporary styles, they can further emphasize the style era that you are going for.
According to the building code, there are two types of outdoor ceiling fans: those that are UL listed for wet locations and those that are UL listed for damp locations. These fans are also called wet-rated and damp-rated. Let’s decode these two types so you will know exactly what kind of fan to buy for the purpose you have in mind.
An outdoor fan that is wet rated or UL listed for wet locations is one that can be directly exposed to rain or water from other sources, such as sprinklers. These fans are completely waterproof, from the motor housing to the blades, so they can get completely wet and still work perfectly. Wet rated outdoor ceiling fans are specifically designed for uncovered or partially covered areas where they are most likely to get wet. Here are some examples:
A patio or porch with no covering
Any outdoor area with a screen or lattice covering
A pergola or gazebo with partial covering
A lanai with a narrow covering that still allows rain to reach the fan
On the other hand, an outdoor fan that is damp rated or UL listed for damp locations don’t take well to getting completely wet, but they are designed to withstand dampness and humidity. Thus, they can be used outdoors as long as they are in a covered area. So where exactly should you place them? Here are some examples:
A patio or porch with a cover wide enough to protect the ceiling fan from rain
A completely covered gazebo
Over a covered outdoor pool
Damp rated fans can also be used in indoor applications, such as:
Over an indoor pool
Bathrooms
Laundry rooms
Keep in mind that wet rated fans can also be used in damp/covered locations, but damp rated outdoor ceiling mounted fans should not be used in wet locations.
But what about a home that’s near the ocean? If you live near the ocean, the air will be saltier and more humid. Thus, always go for a rust-resistant wet-rated fan with a powder coating; polished metal finishes don’t stand up too well to salt air.
How to Choose An Outdoor Fan
When you’re comparing outdoor ceiling fans, make sure to check the CFM capacity of the fan. The secret is to always go for higher CFM capacity. An outdoor fan has to battle outside factors in order to cool down an environment. Thus, if it is hot outside, your fan has to work double time to produce enough airflow that will make you feel cool.
Thus, when it comes to outdoor fans, a high CFM is crucial. CFM of 3000 to 5000, while they may be enough for indoor applications, often end up lacking in outdoor situations. As much as possible, go for fans with at least 6000 CFM.
Outdoor fans provide an additional benefit to outdoor areas: they can help keep bugs away. However, if you want to enjoy this benefit, all the more important it is for you to choose a fan with a high CFM. In fact, fans that can effectively ward off the bugs that usually gather near the fan should have an ideal CFM capacity of 8000 to 9000 CFM.
Also, since water or dampness can cause rusting, outdoor ceiling fans with dark, rustic finishes are more recommended. This way, even if the fan does start to rust, it will simply blend in with the rustic finish or even make it more natural-looking. If a dark fan just won’t blend well with your room or your house, you can have a light-colored fan, but you need to look for one with a special UV coating that protects from discoloration. However, expect this special coating to cost you some extra bucks.
Why Pay More for Outdoor Ceiling Fans?
If you’re buying an outdoor fan, make sure to go for the better known brands even if it means paying more. This is because the top manufacturers use special technologies and materials that help protect the fan from dampness and wetness. For example, they use rust-resistant materials or special coating that keeps the fans’ blades from warping or flaking.
Naturally, those extra factors will come at a price, but in exchange, you will rest assured that your outdoor fan is built to last even in the wettest or dampest situations. Those extra bucks you pay will eventually pay off.
The Hunter Sea Air 23566 is a 52-inch outdoor fan that comes with 5 plastic blades. Due to its size, it can cool large open areas and non-covered outdoor areas. Its tarnish-resistant plastic blades are waterproof, so you can use this fan in areas even if you expect it to get wet in the rain. The 23566 model features an all-white finish for the fan and the blades, which could be why it is so popular with its 4-star rating and 10 online reviews. This clean-looking basic outdoor fan can fit any home décor and will not look decoratively obtrusive whether you use it in a traditional home or a contemporary one.
The Sea Air is a Hunter fan, which means it comes with the WhisperWind motor, which works quietly, and the 3-position mounting system, which can fit various ceiling types including angled, standard flat ceilings, and low ceilings. And of course, as one of the Hunter outdoor ceiling fans, it is guaranteed durable and uses energy efficiently.
The Sea Air also comes with a light kit, but you can choose not to install it since the bulbs are not included in the basic package.
Another option is the Minka Aire Concept I, another white wet-rated 52-inch fan that is very popular among consumers, which is obvious with its 5-star rating. This is a more ideal option if you’re looking specifically for a model that has a more contemporary look, although it is also all-white like the Hunter Sea Air. It is also available in a silver model, if you prefer something that looks more futuristic.
Its advantage over the Hunter Sea Air, however, is that it has an integrated bowl light and the package already includes a wall control system. The bowl light comes with a cap so you can also cover it if you don’t need the light; the bulb is already included in the package. The wall mount control can control the fan’s three different speeds and can move the fan both forward and reverse. It can also control the light kit and features a light dimming function. However, all these extras make the ceiling fan more expensive at over $400.
As a Minka Aire product, the Concept I has an 188mm x 20mm Spinner motor, which has a lifetime warranty.
One of the most unique wet-rated outdoor fans on the market is the Hunter Sanibel, which comes with waterproof and washable cloth blades. Not only does this make the fan more durable, but it also creates a unique nautical look. The white cloth blades are in stark contrast to the new bronze base of the fan, which is adorned with an elegant bowl light piece, which uses a single 13-watt bulb for efficiency. Aside from the washable cloth blades, the Sanibel ceiling fan features a No-Rust and highly durable stainless steel hardware. Due to these, the outdoor fan is ETL wet listed, approved for use in both covered and non-covered areas.
As a Hunter fan, it also comes with the WhisperWind motor and the AVT hanging system, but features only 2 mounting positions instead of 3. This is one of the more affordable outdoor ceiling fans at a price of $280.
One of the most stylish outdoor fans is the Hunter Bayview, which comes with five uniquely styled leaf-shaped blades made of resin. The blades are reversible and feature dark wicker and dark palm sides. This goes really well with the ceiling fan’s provencal gold finish, which looks really refined.
Aside from the fact that this is a durable outdoor fan, one of the things consumers love about it is how it adds character to the outdoor area they use the fan in. No wonder this is a 5-star model with almost 20 reviews. Its price of $260 is also fairly reasonable for all that it offers.
Again, this Hunter product comes with the WhisperWind motor and three-position mounting system. The fan is easy to install and remains steady once installed.
This is an ETL-damp listed fan, which means the ceiling fan is appropriate for covered outdoor spaces but not ideal for non-covered areas.
Many consumers prefer Casablanca products. If you’re one of them, and you need damp-rated outdoor ceiling fans, check out the Casablanca Wailea. This is a 31-inch fan, perfect for medium sized covered outdoor areas. To ensure the effectiveness of the fan, it comes with six blades instead of five to make the air movement stronger.
This damp-rated outdoor fan is one of the premium offers of Casablanca. It costs a little under $300 and may be a little expensive for a damp-rated outdoor fan. But if you appreciate quality and style together, this fan is worth a closer look.
The Casablanca Wailea comes with a Direct Drive 153mm x 20mm motor, a standard offer from Casablanca to ensure the powerful airflow of the fan. And although the fan has small blades, the blades have a 25-degree blade pitch for optimum airflow. The blades are also made of highly resistant all-weather material.
This can be accessorized with a light kit, but you will have to buy the kit separately. A three speed pull chain, however, is already included in the package.
Looking for a contemporary style outdoor ceiling fans for large covered areas? Check out the Loft by Emerson Fans, a large 60-incher that features a steel base and three large airfoil brushed steel blades. This damp-rated outdoor fan can withstand dampness and humidity due to the rust-resistant blades, but should not be left to get wet when it rains. And due to its large size, this is perfect if the area is spacious.
This is also a good choice if you are looking for an efficient damp-rated outdoor fan since it is Energy Star rated. However, the initial investment is quite high at almost $380. As a consolation, however, it does come with a powerful 188 x 15 mm Spinner motor with a lifetime warranty as well as a 4-speed fan slide wall control. A light kit can be attached to the ceiling fan but the kit has to be bought separately.
How to Choose Your Outdoor Fan
Planning to buy an outdoor fan? Make sure to choose the best possible option. There are many things to consider in buying outdoor fans. Aside from the amount of humidity and level of wetness, you also have to consider the size of the outdoor area, the weather conditions in your location, and the overhangs or low hanging bars, if any.
Aside from that, make sure the outdoor ceiling fans match your outdoor décor. Finally, you should also consider whether you want a light kit, which is ideal if you don’t have existing lighting yet in the outdoor area involved.
