Have a sunroom or outdoor enclosure that you’re wanting to get more use out of, then you should probably consider outdoor ceiling fans. These type of indoor/outdoor fans are not very expensive, and can be installed in just a few hours. You will have to consider the electrical aspect of the project. If you do not already have the wiring ran to your enclosure or Florida room, you will need to hire an electrician to complete the job. They will usually install the fan for you, as well, for a small fee, while they are on the job running the wiring.
An outdoor ceiling fan runs on a typical 110v setup, in the same fashion that your interior ceiling fans do. You can buy cheap outdoor ceiling fans that are a basic motor and blade setup, or one of the more elaborate versions that include a remote control, lights, and other upgrades. An indoor/outdoor ceiling fan will help to move the air around inside of your room, so that you and your guests are no so stuffy, but instead, being able to relax and enjoy each others company.
If you already have the wiring in place for your project, you can install it on your own. You’ll want to take a few simple precautions before you start touching any electrical wiring, though. Head down to your circuit breaker box and check for the labels. If you have recently had the wiring installed, there should be a label that tells you which breaker belongs to your outdoor enclosure. Flip the breaker off, and then grab your volt tester to head over to the project location. Test the wiring coming from the wall for any active voltage with the voltmeter, and once it registers 0 volts, you are safe to continue.
Most outdoor ceiling fans with lights will have a mounting kit inside of the box for you to use, however, some of the discount outdoor ceiling fans you can purchase will require you to fashion some sort of mount. If this is the case, you can usually put a 2×10 piece of lumber between the trusses or rafters, and mount the ceiling fan base to the 2×10 with bolts. This will ensure that the mounting setup is sturdy, while also keeping it simple. Once you’ve gotten the fan installed, and the wiring completed, you can flip the breaker back on.
Look away from the breaker box while you are flipping the switch, in case anything pops and flashes. The bright flash can easily blind you. If the breaker doesn’t pop, grab the remote, or flip the switch that the fan is connected to, and see if it works. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to test the voltage to the fan, and if there is a sufficient amount, you’ll need to flip the breaker back off, and rewire the fan according to the manufacturers instructions.
Enclosures