Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Ceiling Fans
If you're planning to buy an outdoor ceiling fan, you need to look into a few considerations which aren't limited to aesthetics, by the way. The best fan will, for instance, depend on whether or not you intend to place it in a semi-covered outdoor space or one that's open through and through. Another issue is also the area's proximity to salt water, or whether or not it can possibly come into direct contact with water. Why do you need to consider all of these? Because they can affect your fan's longevity, which can affect how well-spent your money will be when you make your purchase, http://www.ehow.com/way_5771463_ceiling-fan-troubleshooting-guide.html.
The first thing to do is get familiar with the differences between an outdoor ceiling fan and a Harbor Breeze ceiling fan manual created for the indoors. Indoor units can't really hold up as strongly against such factors as dust, humidity and temperature, as much as outdoor units. As you might guess, an indoor fan is made only for low humidity. Humidity levels are known to cause strain to fan's motor and bearings with the passing of time. The damage will not be noticeable from the outside until the fan starts making more noise that it's supposed to. If this goes uncorrected, it won't be long before the thing stops working completely.
As you explore the wall mounted fans market, you will also find that outdoor fans usually come in a greater variety, and often have better finishes for rust resistance. The motors of these fans are secured in tight casings that make use of sealants, o-rings and compression fittings for maximum protection - a feature that can't be found in indoor fans. You'll probably also observe that outdoor ceiling fan blades are made of waterproof ABS plastic.
To know which outdoor ceiling fan is right for you, first determine where exactly you want to install it. If you expect water to touch it (during rain, for instance) at some points, then make sure you get a wet-rated unit. Wet-rated ceiling fans nearly always use ABS plastic blades, and the hardware usually comes with a coating that is specifically meant to prevent corrosion.
Also note than if you put a ceiling fan in an area close to salt water, its life span will be likely ten years shorter than normal. No matter how you try to maintain the outer hardware, the salt in the air has a way of compromising the metal parts inside, causing corrosion up to a point when the fan simply stops working.