Ceiling fans
 

We built a nice porch on the front of our house about 10 years ago. My wife likes to sit out there and read.
With the wet spring and warmer weather, we have also gotten an over-abundance of bugs. Little gnat things that don't really bite, but are just annoying. My wife suggested replacing the lights with ceiling fans. So, off I go to shop.

1. Any brands that are to be avoided? Any to be recommended?
2. UL lists fans as indoor, damp location, and wet location. This porch is not enclosed, but neither is any fan going to be exposed to direct impact of snow or rain unless we get hurricane conditions.
Do I need wet location, or will damp proof do the trick? Anyone know exactly what the difference is?
3. Fans must include lights, and I prefer LED. Any experience with the LED units? Many of the LED bulbs I have tried have failed because the electronics go long before the LED is done.
4. Fans come with from 4 to 9 blades these days. Is more better? How about diameter? Is larger better?

Any other advice as to motor, number of blades, etc? Interested to hear what other people have discovered.

Don't have an abundance of fan knowledge but have bought a few. I would go with a bigger diameter, should be able to move more air at slower speeds which should keep it quieter. For the LEDs, I would look for one with actual bulbs and then replace them with LEDs if they aren't already. The integrated LEDs as you have found out, can easily go out and then you'd be relying on that company for the replacement.

That's probably a good idea.

I put 3 into a seasonal rental we still own a year ago.

1. Try if at all possible to make sure you have a fan capable ceiling box (weight!).
2. If you're replacing a light fixture was it controlled from a 3-way switch or normal single pole? To control both fan and light from a single wire box you'll need a controller that's basically a unit that fits into the wall switch box and a controller in the fan unit itself. Don't go the separate remote setup or you'll be chasing a remote and batteries. And you can get a unit powered from the A/C power that doesn't need a battery.
3. I'd opt for the 'damp' vs. 'wet' and depending on #1 watch the weight.
4. Diameter should be sized to the space and 5 blade is normal.
5. I used the Hampton Bay/Harbor Breeze brand and they've lasted fine with a lot of use. No balance issues.

I may be wrong but I believe the damp one is going to have blades that won't sag into a tulip shape whereas the interior only ones are often made of cardboard or pressed board.

Most of them I looked when deciding had plastic blades.

I'd go with ones rated for damp at least.

Being an outdoor area, albeit covered, it's still going to cop dew in winter, and humidity in summer, so there's always going to be some dampness around.

Dude did you even read the sticky? Neg cat from me bro. You need an EFR 6758, 3" exhaust and, at a minimum, replace the stock rods.

Jesus, some people.

Started discussing this seriously with the wife. She also questioned the need/desire to have remotes. After measuring the height of the ceiling, we both agreed that pull chains would not only be cheaper, but have less chance of failure (getting lost, batteries dead and/or leaking, etc)
Right now there are two lights (dual bulbs) that are controlled by a single switch. No dimmer. By having pull chains for the fans, I eliminate a lot of wiring headaches. Big plus for me.

I am fairly certain the electrical boxes will support fans as is, but I can check that easily enough. I seem to remember discussing fans when the porch was built.

Then I sent the wife on a mission to find one she liked. After much back and forth, I stumbled upon a Hampton Bay fan. No remotes, Dual LED bulbs (standard base), 48" diameter, 5 blade, fairly traditional look. Wife immediately said yes, and I pulled the trigger.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8a3868b928.jpg
The best part? Open box deal, less than 90 bucks each, shipped.


Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Having a multi speed controller and a light on/off in a single wire installation without a battery to replace is nice and saves on the cheap switches they put in the fans. I used this one in each room with a fan and have been really happy. Honeywell Fan Controller

The receiver fits in the fan base on installation and you use the black/white wire combination already in the switch box.

You can always add it later if you decide.

Thanks for sharing this! Just goes to show how little I know about home improvement as I didn't know these existed. We want to put ceiling fans in the two bedrooms on the other side of the house, but I didn't want to have to mess with wiring. Just one switch for the over head light at the moment.

These are super simple to install. Also, when you enter the bedroom in the dark no fumbling for a pull chain. When you install you just set the fan speed at the highest setting by pulling the chain x times. After that, you can cut the pull chains if you don't like the look because you'll never need them. Also, they're super quiet when controlling the fan (common problem is a low hum in the cheaper units).

I run brushless DC motors in all my fans powered by PWM off my old megasquirts

I have several Hampton Bay fans, as they are a pretty standard contractor install item in my area. 2 of them have held up OK indoors, 2 of them were absolute garbage and no amount of balancing or mounting changes seems to keep them from making clicking/tapping noises or trying to shake themselves apart.

That is interesting, but I have 2 lights (soon to be fans) on two separate electrical boxes controlled by one switch. One at each end of the 31 foot long porch I wonder if one remote can control two, or if that would overload something.

You might be able to buy a separate receiver paired to the wall “switch” but then both fans/lights would come on/off and at the same speed. There may be times you don’t want that. In this case I’d opt for separate remotes and just mark each one for the fan it controls. Ex.: Hampton Bay Ceiling Fan Remote Controller where each remote is paired to a specific receiver. Still has a battery but they usually last a year or so.

Bunch of fuckin' cavemen around here. You guys and your fucking switches. Using your hands to actually flip a switch is very 2015, bro's. Alexa all the things.

Lol, $50 so I can use my phone instead of switch for the room I'm walking into anyway?

That’s fan only. No light control.