How to Choose an Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Alfresco areas are being built standard in new homes, and it seems every renovation also includes one.
An outdoor fan can not only provide excellent cooling, but did you know the gentle breeze from your fan will also keep mosquitos and flies away (they do not like moving air).
But what fan can you use outdoors?
Most ceiling fans are designed for indoor use, so they cannot be used in outdoor areas. Even if your fan is under a roof, with walls on three sides, moisture from cold nights will still get onto and into your fan (just think of how wet your outdoor furniture can be sometimes in the morning).
So what do you need to look for?
1) Motor – the motor of the fan you choose needs to be sealed against moisture ingress or water penetration. You will hear lots of different descriptions like “Tropical rated” but the real test is if the fan has an IP rating. IP ratings are the internationally recognised standard for water ingress or water penetration.
2) Material composition – most celing fans are made of powdercoated metal, which will rust over time if mounted outside. Your outdoor fan should be made of aluminium or stainless steel, with stainless steel fasteners. You should note though, that stainless steel does require maintenance and regular cleaning, otherwise it will develop “tea stains” which can be viewd as rust. Aluminiun on the other hand will be trouble free.
3) Blades – like the body, your blades need to be made of weather resistant material. Timber blades will absorb moisture, which will unbalance the fan. Outdoor fans usually have UV resistant plastic blades, which also makes them easier to clean.
4) Salt Spray Tested – proximity to the ocean is another factor to take into consideration. Not all outdoor fans are resistant to salt spray, so check if the fan you choose has been salt spray treated.
With the above information in hand, you can now go and choose which ceiling fan best suits your application and style.
IP23 Rated Fans (for covered outdoor areas)
Cabo Frio
Rust resistant* powder coated steel construction with stainless steel hardware,
Cabo Frio is as much at ease inside today’s contemporary homes and apartments as it is in covered Alfresco areas. The unique UV resistant ABS plastic all weather blades provide maximum air movement with a twist.
*Note: As the body of this fan is made from powder coated steel, it is not suitable for use near salt environments.
The 132 cm (52”) “Cabo Frio” is available in 3 colour options:
New Bronze Cabo Frio with Coffee Beech Blades
Matte Silver Cabo Frio with Matte Black Blades
Fresh White Cabo Frio with Fresh White Blades
IP44 Rated Fans
The Hunter “Maribel” and “Outdoor Elements II” outdoor ceiling fans are true wet listed fans. Made with a rust proof aluminium housing with stainless steel screws, and reversible blades made from UV resistant ABS all weather plastic, both the “Maribel” and the “Outdoor Elements II” ceiling fans are designed to withstand mother nature’s worst.
The 132 cm (52”) “Maribel” is available in 2 colour options:
New Bronze Maribel with timber look pattern shown
White Maribel with plain blade shown
The 137cm (54”) “Outdoor Elements II” is available in 2 colour options:
New Bronze Outdoor Elements II with Dark Antique palm frond pattern shown
Raw Aluminium Outdoor Elements II with natural palm frond pattern shown
The Hunter “ Cabo Frio”, “Maribel” and “Outdoor Elements II” feature:
• IP rating and salt spray tested, to withstand the toughest tropical winds and rain, as well as sea spray.
• Hunter’s High Output Motor, making them one of the best performing fans on the market today. No wonder they are backed by a lifetime warranty.
• Hunter’s unique WobbleFree™ canopy which features a unique trilobe ball joint, which dissipates wobble, and ensures your Hunter fan is wobble free.
•Two mounting options – either standard on a flat roof, or on raked ceilings up to 34 degrees.
• For Maribel and Outdoor Elements there is an optional IP rated Hunter Outdoor light kit available. (Cabo Frio can also be fitted with a light kit, however that is not IP rated.)
• All fans are fitted with a summer/winter switch for energy efficiency. Not only can a Hunter ceiling fan save up to 47% on summer air conditioning costs, in winter mode, save up to 20% on heating costs by recirculating the hot air trapped at the ceiling.
As with all Hunter ceiling fans, the Hunter difference is their renowned quiet for life performance and reliability; all backed by the unique lifetime motor warranty, from the only company with over 120 years experience making ceiling fans.
For more information on the Hunter Cabo Frio, Maribel, Outdoor Elements II and more of the Hunter ceiling fan range, please visit our website: www.prestigefans.com.au
