subject: Quality Outdoor Ceiling Fan Criteria [print this page] Ceiling fans may look identical, but the truth is that they have different features. If you are thinking about installing one of the outdoor ceiling fans, then you should be very selective about which one you choose. The first and most important thing you must know is how much air is circulated and that will alert you to the fan's efficiency. You might want to consider the amount of noise it will produce and how strong the finish is, as it must hold up under all weather conditions. In addition, verify that the maker will guarantee any warranty that belongs to the product.
A few fans might appear nice, but they don't move much air, clearly meaning they're a bad choice for an outdoor ceiling fan. Make sure you look at the angle of the ceiling fan blades, also called the blade pitch. Fans with a bigger blade pitch signify that the amount of air moved will be bigger. A few manufacturers will try to save money on the materials utilized and occasionally the motors and other parts of the ceiling fans just don't have sufficient power.
The success of outdoor ceiling fans is dependent upon the amount of energy it uses and the amount of air it moves. Motors having low wattage use minimal energy, consequently less air is circulated, making them quite ineffective. A lot of times, if a fan is poorly made, one can hear a humming noise while it's running. That is the fault of cheap ball bearings used to save money. Any humming noise must be investigated, since this could signal an incorrect fit between the blade's metal parts or parts of the motor that aren't properly fitted.
Naturally, there are a lot of parts on an inferior quality indoor ceiling fan or outdoor fan that might break. One of those things is the pull chain that gets pulled from the housing improperly. Likewise, a mismatched motor size and blade pitch can be indications of inferior quality ceiling fan parts. If you discover one that is below standards, call it to the attention of the inspectors who let the inferior quality fans be sold.
Something else to look for, particularly in outdoor ceiling fans, is the finish. Brass or bronze ceiling fan finishes might look the same, but the less expensive finishes usually tarnish faster. In addition, adding a lighting kit might highlight the fact that the finish on the fan is a slightly different color. You can check the quality of the finish by looking at the surface for scratches. A high quality finish on the outdoor ceiling fan is even more important, since it's exposed to all of the elements of the outdoors.
