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Oh, the ubiquitous ceiling fan. Many believe them to be an absolute necessity in the bedroom to sleep peacefully night after night, and others rely on them in the family room to keep a constant breeze to keep the little ones cool. Here at Patio Heat and Shade, it’s no surprise that our favorite use for a ceiling fan is outdoors – helping Mother Nature when she falls short.
Ceiling fans work for helping your perspiration (yes, we all perspire) to evaporate. This evaporation process converts the water in your sweat into a gas form, but in doing so the process needs energy. It gets this energy from the warm air surrounding you, cooling that air that is closest to your skin. The more air that moves past your skin, the cooler you feel.
Note that a ceiling fan doesn’t change the temperature in a room at all. If it’s 90° in your house, turning on the ceiling fan means it’s 90°, but now there’s a breeze. This helps to cool off most live things (you and Fido, but not Crystal the goldfish…), but doesn’t cool any of the non-living things in your space.
In the great outdoors a ceiling fan can mean the difference between a sweltering afternoon and a surprisingly comfortable afternoon snooze. Just the right breeze can make all the difference, and we’ve got some fantastic ideas for how you can get yours.
We once again went to our patio experts and asked for some ideas for adding a patio ceiling fan that will spark that home improvement passion that lives in us all. Not only have they delivered, but you’ll find some of these ideas a little “out of the box.”
Firstly, let’s talk logistics. If you’ve got an outdoor patio that has a floor but no ceiling, you’re limited to two basic options: wall fans, tabletop fans or misting fans.
If your outdoor patio has a ceiling (either a pergola/slatted ceiling or an actual, “keep the rain off your head” ceiling), you’re really in luck. Adding an outdoor ceiling fan will not only keep you cool, they can provide outdoor lighting (if your fan accepts a light kit), create a wind barrier that keeps the flying pests away, keeps the fan blades away from little fingers, and come in a bajillion sizes, shapes and colors.
Let’s all agree that cooling off with a ceiling fan on your patio is beneficial… the question is whether the cost outweighs the benefit.
These days, the best ceiling fans have direct current (DC) motors. DC motors are smaller, quieter, ridiculously efficient and come with multi-step (usually 6-speed) remote controls. A modern DC fan costs less than cents per day to operate (assuming you leave it on 24/7)… or less than $16 per year. The efficiency comes from providing just a little juice to the motor to keep the blades in motion… and it’s a bargain.
The fact that there are so many style variations that you’re sure to find a perfect match is really the icing on the cake. If your patio is long, consider putting 2 or 3 fans in a series to insure the comfort of all your guests. In fact, outdoor ceiling fans with remote controls can be programmed so that one remote controls all fans simultaneously.
Because outdoor ceiling fans come in many different sizes (from under 2’ blade span / diameter to 100”), there’s no good standard answer here. Most outdoor ceiling fans are 52” in size, which will typically cover up to 400 sq. ft.
Frequently it’s not so much about size as it is placement. If you’ve got an oddly shaped patio (say, an “L”) then using two fans makes sense: a small one for the small section, and a larger one for the main part of the patio. If your patio is long and narrow, a series of fans makes best sense (three smaller fans would be more effective than two bigger ones).
Our patio experts are patio comfort specialists; highly trained in bringing the best of patio living to your doorstep. Whether you’re designing a new home for your loved ones or upgrading the one you have, give us a call and our patio experts are will be right with you, every step of the way.
Combine the beauty of a rattan LED outdoor chandelier with the functionality of an outdoor fan, and you’ve got the Maxim Lighting Tulum 61012NADBZ fandelight. The LED light at the bottom of the dark bronze metalwork directs the light downward, while the coatings of both the rattan and metalwork are perfectly suited for a damp location (like under a solid roof on your patio).
It’s hard to explain how breathtakingly beautiful the Quorum Windmill patio fan is in person. If your goal is to catch the eye of your guests, this is hands-down the best patio fan idea you’ll find merging DC motor technology with a drop-dead gorgeous design. Too small or too big? Not to worry, Quorum has multiple sizes and finishes available to fit your space perfectly.
You get just about everything you could ever want with the Hinkley Lighting Vantage 8-blade ceiling fan with light kit ... It’s a DC fan (super-efficient), has integrated LED lighting, is wet rated so it can be hung from a non-covered ceiling, and the huge 66” blade span means an incredible 9087 CFM at high speed (won’t exactly blow your socks off, but pretty darned close). Available in five colors (matte black, matte white, graphite, metallic matte bronze and brushed nickel), you’re sure to find one that perfectly complements your outdoor space.
Whether you favor modern farmhouse, contemporary or transitional vibes to your outdoor space, the Hinkley Lighting Indy ceiling fan has you covered. Wet rated, it’s ready to provide blessed relief to your guests with just a touch of a button (using the included wall remote).
Some of our patios aren’t blessed with pergolas or roofs, meaning that for us to get our cool on we prefer wall-mounted fans to keep our family comfy. The Quorum Lighting Veranda 92413 wall-mounted patio fan provides gentle oscillation to sweep the breeze slowly across all your guests. Consider a few wall-mounted fans in larger/longer spaces to provide ample coverage.
Outdoor kitchens are amazing, and with the right breeze at your back they can be even better. Trust the Kichler Lighting Lehr II contemporary outdoor ceiling fan to have your back while you focus on your latest grilled culinary masterpiece. Wet-rated (perfect for a pergola as seen here), this 7-bladed wonder features DC power (you know, the highly efficient quiet kind) and a handheld remote to get that breeze just right.
Even if you’re landlocked, you can bring the sea to your home by adding nautical touches to your patio. The Hinkley Lighting Marin 903160FMW-NDD ceiling fan with light kit wraps a modern DC motor with nautical rope to blend the practicality and efficiency of LED lighting and DC motors with the design elements that tie your room together.
Fully covered patios have an advantage; they’re the perfect hangout spot in so many situations when Mother Nature opens up the clouds to let the rain envelop your home. We love enjoying the sounds and views during a rainstorm while remaining cool and collected thanks to our Kichler Lighting Maor 310136OZ nautical outdoor ceiling fan with light kit. It’s easy to see how this gorgeous style tops off the room but feeling the 8093 CFM from the massive 65-inch blade span makes the thunder of the storm all the more enjoyable.
There you have it, some of our favorite ideas for bringing the constant comfort that only a patio fan can provide to your family day-in and day-out. Whether you prefer wall-mount, tabletop or the classic ceiling fan for your outdoor oasis, we’ve got you covered with an unparalleled selection at the best prices… with the expert help you need to select the perfect one.