Indoor and outdoor fans serve the same function, which is to circulate the air and freshen the atmosphere in an area as well as to cool the occupants. Such functions must be performed in different environments, however, due to the differences between the two fan types.
Here are 7 critical differences between indoor and outdoor ceiling fans:
- Outdoor ceiling fans are designed to withstand the elements.
- Outdoor ceiling fans require more power than indoor ones.
- Indoor and outdoor ceiling fans have different materials.
- Ceiling fan ratings differ for indoor and outdoor units.
- Blade designs are different in outdoor and indoor fans.
- Outdoor ceiling fans are stronger than indoor ceiling fans.
- Indoor ceiling fans can accumulate dust.
A ceiling fan can be a great addition to an indoor room or an outdoor sitting area. Understanding the differences between indoor and outdoor fans will help you make the best, well-informed decision on the right fan for your home or business. Read about their differences below.
Contents
- 1 1. Outdoor Ceiling Fans Are Designed To Withstand the Elements
- 2 2. Outdoor Ceiling Fans Require More Power Than Indoor Ones
- 3 3. Indoor and Outdoor Ceiling Fans Have Different Materials
- 4 4. Ceiling Fan Ratings Differ for Indoor and Outdoor Units
- 5 5. Blade Designs Are Different in Outdoor and Indoor Fans
- 6 6. Outdoor Ceiling Fans Are Stronger Than Indoor Ceiling Fans
- 7 7. Indoor Ceiling Fans Can Accumulate Dust
- 8 Can I Use an Indoor Ceiling Fan Outside?
- 9 Proper Mounting Height for Ceiling Fans
- 10 How To Install an Outdoor Ceiling Fan
- 11 Sources
1. Outdoor Ceiling Fans Are Designed To Withstand the Elements
What makes outdoor ceiling fans different from indoor ceiling fans is that they’re designed to withstand the elements. The water and wind resistance of outdoor fans may vary based on the producer’s quality of materials and intent.
Outdoor fans must be suspended from a ceiling, but this doesn’t mean they’re out of risk. Wind can blow rain into protected areas, and other factors such as plumbing or leaks in the roof may expose the ceiling fan to water, even if protected by an awning or patio cover.
For that reason, outdoor ceiling fans are specifically designed to survive harsh climate conditions. They’re made using materials less prone to rust and feature insulation to protect the electrical components.
There are 2 types of outdoor ceiling fans: damp- and wet-rated. You may want to consider a wet-rated outdoor ceiling fan for an area exposed to heavy rain and snow. A damp-rated outdoor ceiling fan is more suitable for a roof roofed outdoor area that protects against heavy downpours.
Suggested: Can outdoor ceiling fans be exposed to rain?
| Image | Brand | Model | Wet rated | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Minka-aire | Xtreme H2O 65 Inch | Yes | Buy on Amazon |
  | Hunter | Builder Elite 52" | Yes | Buy on Amazon |
  | Monte Carlo | Cyclone 60" | Click to Edit | Buy on Amazon |
2. Outdoor Ceiling Fans Require More Power Than Indoor Ones
As a rule, ceiling fans aren’t voracious power consumers. Compared to other climate control methods, such as central heating and air systems, fans use a fraction of the electricity. This makes them an economically and environmentally friendlier alternative to AC.
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However, outdoor ceiling fans must move more air than indoor fans to achieve the same outcome. For this reason, outdoor ceiling fans require more powerful motors to cool and circulate air effectively through an outdoor seating area.
The average indoor ceiling fan only requires roughly 10–50 watts per hour. However, due to their massive size and power, outdoor ceiling fans regularly consume 75 watts per hour, or even more depending on their sizes.
3. Indoor and Outdoor Ceiling Fans Have Different Materials
Outdoor ceiling fans must be built to survive outdoor settings. Even under the shelter of a protected sitting area, outdoor ceiling fans must be capable of withstanding at least wind and rain. A ceiling fan that isn’t properly defended against the elements can be dangerous, putting the house at risk of electrical hazards.
To mitigate the risks, manufacturers use materials with more elemental resistance; usually, it means using metal for the blades and insulating the electricity box in the mount to avoid water exposure.
Two most highly recommended materials for outdoor ceiling fans:
- Aluminum. This is a popular material for outdoor ceiling fans. Aluminum alloys don’t contain iron, meaning aluminum fans are safe from rust. Another advantage of aluminum is that it requires little to no upkeep, making it appealing to many consumers.
- Stainless Steel. Similar to Aluminum, stainless steel is another material commonly used for outdoor ceiling fans. Stainless steel is attractive and water-resistant. However, it requires more regular maintenance than aluminum to avoid “tea-stains” or blemishes on the surface of the blades.
4. Ceiling Fan Ratings Differ for Indoor and Outdoor Units
As mentioned earlier, there are two types of outdoor ceiling fans. When getting an outdoor fan, you want to ask yourself whether you need a wet-rated or damp-rated one. Your choice will heavily depend on what you need the outdoor ceiling fan for. As for outdoor fans, they’re all dry-rated because they’re not designed to withstand the elements or get wet.
Below, I’ll explain the differences between the ratings and what they’re good for.
Wet-Rated Fans Can Be Used in Harsh Weather
Wet-rated ceiling fans simply mean that they’re capable of surviving severe water exposure. Waterproof fans are important if the fan is mounted in a place where it’s regularly exposed to the elements, as rust and electrical shorts can ruin the fan and be dangerous to residents.
Depending on the fan’s brand and quality, you can expect to pay roughly between $300 and $2,000 for a wet-rated outdoor ceiling fan.
What’s great about wet-rated fans is that you can easily clean them with a garden hose or spray bottle of water. The added simplicity of maintenance makes them a popular option for outdoor ceiling fans.
Damp-Rated Fans Can Only Tolerate Drizzle
A damp rating means the ceiling fan is water-resistant, not waterproof. Damp-rated ceiling fans can be suitable for outdoor seating scenarios, provided there’s an adequate assurance against water exposure.
The fan will survive a little rain but not a direct jet from a garden hose. If you live in a dry climate and the ceiling fan is well protected by the seating area’s covering, damp-rated ceiling fans should be fine. However, many people still choose to err on the side of safety by installing a wet-rated fan rather than a damp-rated one.
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Dry-Rated Fans Are Only Meant for Indoor Use
You might think you can use an indoor ceiling fan for your outdoor space, but you only risk damaging your fan by doing so. That’s because indoor fans aren’t meant for outdoor use. They don’t do well in high moisture conditions and will spoil if exposed to drizzle or downpours.
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5. Blade Designs Are Different in Outdoor and Indoor Fans
Even though they serve essentially the same function, indoor and outdoor fans utilize different design elements to accomplish their task.
Due to the regulations around RPM relative to blade size and because it must effectively move a larger volume of air at a consistent pace, outdoor ceiling fans must rely on their blade design as well as the motor.
For this reason, outdoor ceiling fans’ blades are often shaped and positioned differently than those of indoor fans.
Blade Shape
Outdoor fans are tasked with moving a much larger amount of air than indoor fans. In order to accomplish this in the most energy-efficient way possible, many outdoor fans feature broad blades made to push the maximum amount of air with every rotation.
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Size
The outdoors provides a larger area, allowing for larger fan blades. This is one of the most crucial elements to an effective outdoor fan, as larger blades naturally push more air. However, larger blades are also heavier and require more energy to rotate, making them less energy efficient.
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Pitch
The angle or pitch at which the blade is set is another telling feature between indoor and outdoor fans. Outdoor fans tend to have their blades set at a more dramatic pitch, causing a more violent air stirring. This is effective for pushing large amounts of air around, as is needed in an outside setting.
However, indoor fan blades are usually set at a more mild pitch, as they must move air through a room without creating a wind tunnel.
6. Outdoor Ceiling Fans Are Stronger Than Indoor Ceiling Fans
There are federal regulations dictating the maximum limit of RPMs permissible for a ceiling fan. This is a safety regulation to avoid blades reaching truly dangerous speeds in case of an accident.
The RPM limit of a fan is based on the blade’s thickness. A thinner blade at high speed actually does more damage than a thicker, heavier one. Therefore, more powerful motors must be accompanied by thick, blunted blades.
Because outdoor fans require stronger motors, the blades must be thicker than those used on weaker indoor fan motors.
7. Indoor Ceiling Fans Can Accumulate Dust
Because indoor fans are frequently dry-rated, they’re neither waterproof nor water-resistant, and they’re less easy to clean than wet-rated fans. Indoor dry-rated fans also tend to accumulate dust on top of the fans, which can cause allergy symptoms. You must clean the blades regularly with a damp rag or sponge.
Outdoor fans can accumulate dust and dirt as well and can get even dirtier than indoor fans. However, they are often washed off by some rain and cleaning them is much easier. You’re also unlikely to get any allergy symptoms with outdoor fans because the space is open.
Can I Use an Indoor Ceiling Fan Outside?
You shouldn’t use an indoor ceiling fan outside because it’s dry-rated, meaning it’s not designed for an outdoor setting. Rain and moisture can easily damage it. Also, indoor fans are typically smaller and less powerful than outdoor ones, hence ineffective for circulating air in outdoor spaces.
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Proper Mounting Height for Ceiling Fans
Ideally, ceiling fans either indoors or outdoors should be mounted at least 10-12 inches (30.5–45.7 cm) from the ceiling. Some units, such as Hugger fans, can be mounted closer, though no less than 7–8 inches (17.8–20.3 cm) from the ceiling.
All ceiling fans should be at 24 inches (61 cm) between the tip of the blade and the neared wall and should be no less than 84 inches (213.4 cm) above the floor. If a room can’t accommodate these requirements, it’s not safe to install a ceiling fan.
These regulations and guidelines apply to both indoor and outdoor ceiling fans. While outdoor fans tend to have more space laterally or distance between them and the nearest wall, some are mounted on lower hanging ceilings than indoor fans. This may call for a hugger fan, allowing more vertical space and reducing the risk of taller individuals being decapitated by the turning blades.
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How To Install an Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans can be a great addition to a covered seating area. On summer evenings, having a cool breeze one command is a great advantage. In making sure you can enjoy the cooling effect of an outdoor fan safely, follow the steps and precautions below when installing an outdoor ceiling fan.
1. Get Professional Installation
If you’re not comfortable or experienced doing your own electrical work, it’s highly recommended that you hire a professional to handle it. Ceiling fans, simply because they’re hung from the ceiling and require more effort to install, aren’t the place to cut your teeth as an amateur electrician.
Before doing any electrical work, make sure you have cut the power to the area you’re working on.
2. Mount the Bracket
If you’re installing a fan on a pre-existing ceiling, rather than adding a fan to a room you’re building, use a specifically marked “old work” bracket. Using the right kind of bracket can help prolong the fan’s life, the ceiling, and whoever is sitting underneath them. Fix the bracket to the ceiling. Be sure that a strong beam supports the box and bracket.
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3. Attach the Fan
Once the bracket is securely fixed in place, you can finally attach the fan. It’s easier to attach the fan’s body separately and then fix the blades once the body is in position. A fan with blades attached, especially the large, metal outdoor fans, can be heavy and unwieldy, making them difficult to install fully assembled.
4. Test the Fan Before Calling It a Day
Before you put away your ladder and tools:
- Turn the power back on and take your fan for a spin.
- Try all the settings and watch carefully for any signs of instability or electrical trouble.
- Shut off the power and get back to work, or call a professional if you notice anything off in the fan’s movement or function but don’t know what the problem is.
Modern ceiling fans aren’t too difficult, so most laymen users should be able to install the unit themselves. Most customers, in fact, report that outdoor ceiling fans take less than an hour to install, on average. Once the fan’s up there and you’re confident that it’s safe and stabilized, you can enjoy a cool breeze when desired.
