Enjoying Your Patio When It's Only a Little Hot Another time patio fans can work well is when you are trying to use your patio when it's not too hot. Your patio can start to feel uncomfortable by the time the temperature reaches 80° F, but a fan can help alleviate the feeling.
Perfect for any outdoor space that includes cover (or an added structure, for that matter), an outdoor fan offers incredible comfort, reducing heat and humidity with a constant gentle breeze while also effectively distributing air and eliminating any stagnant hot spots.
Damp-rated outdoor ceiling fans can be used in areas with some contact with moisture but not in areas with constant or direct exposure to water. This makes damp-rated fans a good option for screened-in patios or porches.
Considering the Height and Location
Ideally, outdoor ceiling fans should hang at least 8 to 9 feet above the ground to prevent accidents and maximize airflow. If your outdoor area has a ceiling higher than 9 feet, consider using a downrod to achieve the optimal height.
It may sound crazy, but you can install a ceiling fan in an outdoor space of your home. Think outdoor kitchen or screened porch/patio. The fan moves air around the space, just as it would indoors, helping keep the area cooler. Added bonus: the extra air movement will help reduce the bug nuisance.
Air Circulation = Cooling Breezes
Outdoor ceiling fans pack a lot of punch under your covered patio or pergola space. They create a refreshing breeze to keep you cool,extending your outdoor living enjoyment throughout the warmer months without having to worry about family or guests overheating.
Sizing a Patio Fan
Here's a common size guide comparing the size of the patio to the size of fan needed by the diameter of blades (and cubic feet per minute, CFM): Up to 75 square feet = 29-36 inch (1000-3000 CFM) 76-144 square feet = 36-42 inch (1600-4500 CFM) 144-225 square feet = 44-54 inch (2300-6500 CFM)
Fans in general are much more effective when located close to an open window. This is because, contrary to popular opinion, fans don't actually cool air; they just move it. By forcing the air to flow around the room, it passes over your skin and evaporates the moisture from it.
During summer months, your ceiling fan blades should be set to spin counterclockwise. When your ceiling fan spins quickly in this direction, it pushes air down and creates a cool breeze. This helps keep a room's temperature consistent throughout the day and reduces the need for an air conditioner to run constantly.
Damp-rated ceiling fans should only be placed in areas that are covered and do not get direct exposure to rain or snow, like a covered patio or garage. Wet-rated fans can handle direct exposure to the elements and can be placed on open pergolas.
Overhead fans are a great addition to a porch, sunroom or even a garage. Even in outdoor rooms with extra sunlight, a fan can circulate the air, making anyone sitting or standing nearby feels cool and comfortable.
When choosing a ceiling fan for your porch or pergola, be sure to select a model that's designed for outdoor use. Damp-rated styles are suitable for covered porches where the fan will be exposed to humidity, while wet-rated options are ideal for pergolas where the fan may come in direct contact with rain or snow.
Outdoor ceiling fans can help keep bugs away, including mosquitoes, by creating a breeze that makes it difficult for them to fly and land on you or your guests. However, an outdoor fan designed explicitly for mosquito control may be more effective.
Pointing your fan out of the window in the warmest parts of your home will help to blow hot air out, whereas pointing a fan inwards on the cooler side of your home will help to draw cool air in.
Yes, outdoor rated ceiling fans can get wet. How wet can they get is the next question. Damp-rated ceiling fans can have a light mist, dew, or condensation on the motor exterior without much worry, but they can't withstand direct exposure to moderate, heavy, or driving rain.
In summer and hotter months, your ceiling fan blades should rotate counterclockwise. When fan blades turn counterclockwise, they push cooler air down in a column. This creates a “wind chill” effect. To maximize this effect, run your fan at its highest speed.
A good way to know if your fan is spinning the right way is to stand directly below it and see if you can feel the breeze. If it seems weak, it's most likely turning clockwise; you'll want to reverse the direction for the summer months.
Lay the cloth over the fan. As it blows the air out, it'll circulate through the cloth and the air will feel cooler. Make sure that the cloth cannot get caught on the fan in any way at all––if this is a possibility, don't use this method. Replace the cloth frequently, as they dry out.
Box Fans: Position a box fan near an open window to pull cool air from outside. You can also set up two fans to work in tandem: one pulling cool air in, the other pushing warm air out.
'If you're looking for relief from the heat, it's best to put ice in front of a fan, not behind it,' he says. 'When this happens, the cold air from outside will enter through the open window, causing air pressure that pushes hot air out of your house naturally.
Your patio can start to feel uncomfortable by the time the temperature reaches 80° F, but a fan can help alleviate the feeling. At this temperature, your body still has many cooling methods to release body heat. A fan helps with all of them.
The Hunter Cassius (our best overall pick) is damp-rated, so it's a good fit for screened patios and three-season porches where rain won't be an issue. Wet-rated ceiling fans are designed to handle outdoor areas that aren't covered, like a pergola.
Unlike indoor fans, outdoor ceiling fans are designed to resist moisture and humidity. They are ideal for damp or wet locations, meaning they can handle exposure to rain and high humidity without compromising their performance. This makes them perfect for patios, decks, and other outdoor areas.