Wiring for Outside Comfort
You love sitting on your patio or your lanai, enjoying the fresh air and the scents from your garden or the sea. The weather can trap you indoors inside when it is too hot or too chilly to enjoy your outdoor living areas.
Outdoor spaces can benefit from special wiring that allows you to extend your outdoor time. With the right touches of comfort and with SESCOS expert help, your outdoor room can be your favorite space for many months of the year.
Summer Breeze
If it’s too hot to sit on your porch, patio or deck, stir up some breezes with a ceiling fan. You’ll turn your outdoor room into an oasis of cool comfort, perfect for entertaining or just enjoying it yourself.
Before you jump into installing fans, make sure you choose the right ones.
Dry, Damp or Wet Fans
All fans have an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) rating that classifies them as dry-rated, damp-rated or wet-rated. Dry-rated fans are strictly for indoor use.
Look for fans that are classed as damp-rated or wet-rated. Damp-rated fans will work in a covered outdoor area that only gets a little exposure to wetness, like a sunroom, carport or covered porch.
Wet-rated fans are ideal for structures that are more open to the elements, like a gazebo, lanai or open deck. They are also the best choice for any house near the beach. Look for wet-rated fans with these features:
- Motor encased in a waterproof cover
- Blades made of waterproof materials
- Rust-resistant paint coating
Wiring and Installation of Outdoor Fans
- Ensure outdoor outlets and panels must be rated for use in wet conditions.
- Always use conduits and pipes with waterproof seals and fittings.
- Be sure the connecting junction box can support the weight of the fan.
- SESCOS can help guide you through local ordinances and permitting.
- Set the blades to turn counter-clockwise to move cool air upward through the room.
Are You Ready for Fall?
Although it seems hard to believe right now, cooler weather is just around the corner. Fans will keep you cool through the end of summer, but once fall arrives you’ll be thinking about how to warm up those outside spaces.
Get ready now with heating systems that will let you add months of use to your outdoor spaces. A patio heater will give you the warmth and coziness of a fire with a lot less mess and no ashes to sweep.
Types of Patio Heater
Homeowners have a variety of patio heater options. Some outdoor heaters mount to the ceiling, wall or tabletop. One popular option is the freestanding patio heaters that don’t need to be mounted and can be moved around. Choose what type of fuel that best fits your space and overall use of the outdoor space – we can help you design a plan the works.
Electric. Electric heaters produce steady, even heat and are economical. Installation by a certified electrician is highly recommended.
Infrared electric. This type of heater uses radiant heat to warm objects and people around a wider range of the heating element, rather than heating part or all of a room.
Gas. Natural gas is low-cost to run and always in steady supply. You will probably need professional installation by a plumber or electrician.
Propane. Easy to set up and install, propane tanks are the most convenient form to use. They’re also the most costly and not recommended for long-term use.
Wiring and Installation of Patio Heaters
- Always use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on outdoor receptacles and circuit breakers.
- Choose low-voltage wiring for outdoor rooms and bury it at least six inches deep.
- Exposed wiring should be covered in waterproof conduits.
- Place waterproof covers on all receptacles.
- Change the fan blade settings to run clockwise, which moves warm air upward through the room.
Expert Advice for All Your Outdoor Wiring
Enjoy an endless summer or a warm winter from the comfort of your own patio, porch or deck. With SESCOS help and our fast, safe installation, you can choose the right heater, ceiling fan and other additions that will make your outdoor space just right, season after season. Start your electrical outdoor wiring project by calling SESCOS today.