Are ceiling fans effective ?

[Big Boy]

I'm dragging this thread up again because it does seem appropriate to my question.

I'm looking for a ceiling fan to go on our new porch. I thought that I wanted a nice fan with integrated lighting. We were happily looking around various stores, when we ventured into Home Pro. At this point we were told that the ceiling fans with integrated lighting are useless for outdoor use, and he kept point us towards a fan without lighting.

Was the advice given correct, or are the fans with built in lighting just as effective please? If fans with integrated lighting are deemed suitable (I'm sure some of you must have them), are there any recommendations regarding what I need, and what should I avoid please?

[Dannie Boy]

I'm dragging this thread up again because it does seem appropriate to my question.

I'm looking for a ceiling fan to go on our new porch. I thought that I wanted a nice fan with integrated lighting. We were happily looking around various stores, when we ventured into Home Pro. At this point we were told that the ceiling fans with integrated lighting are useless for outdoor use, and he kept point us towards a fan without lighting.

Was the advice given correct, or are the fans with built in lighting just as effective please? If fans with integrated lighting are deemed suitable (I'm sure some of you must have them), are there any recommendations regarding what I need, and what should I avoid please?

I am in a rented house that has a fan without lights in the lounge and one on the porch with a light. They both have 5 blades and seem to be equally effective and better than the upright fans unless you go for those huge ones. I would recommend Thai Watsadu rather than Home Pro - they have a big selection with and without lights and I suspect at lower prices than Home Pro.

[Big Boy]

Thanks Dannie Boy.

[advocate]

I have 14 ceiling fans with built in lights, all of the same type, and they work just fine, both indoors and outdoors.

[Nereus]

Did Home Pro tell you why fans with lights are useless outdoors??????
Even given that most of the staff in there would not be sure what their own name is, that one takes some beating!
I have both types, both indoor and outdoor, and even in Australia they worked equally as well!!!

[Big Boy]

Believe it or not, I've just been back to Big Kiang, and told them which fan (with lights) I would like. The 'boss' lady asked my wife a few questions in Thai, and she told me that a fan with lights would not suit I asked the obvious question again - why do they make fans for sale that don't work? The answer came back that they are made for decoration, but are not very effective at keeping people cool.

The ironic thing is that I dropped out of the conversation at that point, and she sold my wife a fan at a cost of about 30% of my choice .

[Nereus]

I wonder if they realise that with or without the lights, that the fan and blades are the same? The light assembly on the many that I have fitted is just fitted into place on the bottom of the unit, in the place of a blank plate!

Maybe they think the heat from the lamps is the problem??? Beats the hell out of me.

Welcome to Thailand!!

[STEVE G]

Perhaps they're worried about an indoor type fan not being robust enough for outdoor use, I can imagine that some of those gilt ones might corrode quickly outdoors.

[moja]

We were told in Homepro that not all fans were suitable for outdoor use due to whatever was used for the blades and this was for fans with and without lights.

[Big Boy]

Welcome to Thailand!!

[Nereus]

We were told in Homepro that not all fans were suitable for outdoor use due to whatever was used for the blades and this was for fans with and without lights.

Yes, it is true that wooden blades will eventually start to distort if used outside. And those with a "gilded" finish will tarnish. But it has nothing to do with lights, as stated.

[Big Boy]

We were told in Homepro that not all fans were suitable for outdoor use due to whatever was used for the blades and this was for fans with and without lights.

We'll see how long the fan they've sold me lasts then

Problem is that we'll need to install another outside light now

[Big Boy]

Yes, it is true that wooden blades will eventually start to distort if used outside. And those with a "gilded" finish will tarnish. But it has nothing to do with lights, as stated.

Funnily enough, they kept trying to get me to buy wooden blades, but I'd already read the warnings earlier on this thread.

[chopsticks]

The most effective ceiling fans are those without light fittings, usually called 'industrial' with 3-4
long white metal blades as installed in commercial premises with a separate speed controller box on the wall. They create the most air movement.

Second best are the ceiling mounted resembling a desk fan that oscillate in all directions.

The ones with wood / rattan blades and light fitting underneath are partly decorative.

[margaretcarnes]

I'm wondering whether a porch fan with light is going to attract unwanted mozzies - or does the fan waff them away?