1. Types of Fans You Can Add to Your Outdoors
Fans are a classic solution to help lower the temperature on a hot summer day. They are available in assorted sizes and styles, making it easy to find one that suits your budget, frequency of use, and the size of the space you need to cool. The types of fans available include ceiling fans, tower fans, pedestal fans, misting fans and industrial fans.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a popular option for those who want a permanent solution to staying cool while adding an element of style to an outdoor space. Replacing a ceiling fan in an existing location is a DIY project most homeowners can tackle, but if you are installing a fan in a new spot or where there is only an overhead light, you’ll want to make sure the electrical box is rated for ceiling fan weight. If you have any concerns, Lowe’s has professional installers ready to help.
These fans come in a wide variety of styles and designs, making it easy to find one that complements the décor of your patio, gazebo, or screened-in porch. A three-blade black fan is a popular modern look, but for a more traditional style choose a five-blade fan in white or brown.
Beyond the fan design, the biggest choice you’ll have is whether you want a light or not, which can add to the complexity of the installation due to the added wiring. In addition, a fan remote is always a handy feature.
The ceiling fan direction matters. It should rotate counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air down and clockwise in the winter to pull cool air up. A directional switch is located near the hanging pole on top of the fan.
Tower Fans
Tower fans are tall and slim, making them an excellent option for small outdoor spaces. They’re easy to move and can be used in a variety of locations indoors or out. Tower fans or stand-up fans also come with various features, such as timers and speed settings, to help you customize your cooling experience. Convenient options like remote control tower fans are also available. Oscillating tower fans are great to cover a larger outdoor area. Some tower fans double as space heaters in the winter, adding more value to this small appliance.
Standing Fans
Standing fans move more air than tower fans, but they’re louder and usually take up more space. They’re the best cooling fans for garages and outdoor seating areas in the summer. Also known as pedestal fans, they can be raised and lowered to your preference but work best at waist height. A benefit is that these powerful fans help keep flies and mosquitos at bay.
Misting Fans
Gain some evaporative cooling benefits from a misting fan. Fans with mist are available as pedestal, portable or tower fans and are set up by attaching a garden hose or dropping the fans intake filter into a bucket filled with water. Portable misting fans are ideal for personal use on a patio or deck.
Industrial Fans
Industrial fans are the largest portable fans and work best in an outdoor workshop or large open area. They move a tremendous amount of air but do it from a fixed vantage point on the floor. Like pedestal fans, industrial fans can be even louder so that’s the trade-off for staying cool.
2. Evaporative Coolers
Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, have been used to cool the inside of homes for years. But now portable evaporative coolers keep your outdoors cool too. They work best in areas with low humidity.
Because of their size and weight, air coolers usually sit on casters so they can move into place easily. On Sundays, you’ll notice them on NFL sidelines keeping players cool. Their size makes them difficult to store, but that’s not a bad payoff for the best outdoor cooling solution.
It’s good practice to clean the evaporative cooler pads every year and replace them every one to three years. Water can cause a salt buildup making the cooler less effective.
3. Mist Away the Heat With Patio Misters
Misters are the ultimate power move to cool down a large outdoor area. Misting systems include tubes, clips and nozzles, so everything you need to install them around your home's fascia which is the most effective location for coverage. Install water misters around the perimeter of a gazebo, porch or any raised location around your yard with water access.
Set up personal misters directly to a garden hose for a quick and easy cool-down session. Like evaporative coolers, misters are most effective in areas with a dry climate. Of course, they still work in high humidity, but pair them with large fans to maximize their benefits.
4. Shade Your Patio or Deck
One thing that always works to keep your outdoors cool is a great sun shade. Pergolas let you add natural shade by growing a green cover or by adding hanging plants. If you can’t install a permanent overhead shade like a gazebo or a pergola, go for patio umbrellas or shade sails to provide the most coverage at the best price.
5. Block the Heat with Outdoor Curtains or Drapes
Curtains help add privacy and block out heat. Install curtain rods and hang full-length curtains on your patio or deck. To create a breezy look, drape sheer curtains and for more privacy choose light filtering curtains. These outdoor curtains are made of fade, stain and water-resistant fabrics that are easy to maintain.