Are you one of thousands of homeowners who are letting your beautiful patio go to waste this summer because you can’t stand being outside in the heat? There is no need to call off your July Fourth BBQ or stay inside all summer long with the A/C cranked up because of the local weather forecast. Get the most out of your patio or deck with an outdoor misting fan. A quality outdoor misting fan system can make the outside air temperature feel between 25-30 degrees cooler than the surrounding area, so you can spend more time comfortably outside.
How Does a Misting Fan Work?
A misting fan system works through the process of evaporative cooling. A powerful pump forces water through tiny openings in a spray nozzle which then produces extremely fine droplets of water. These droplets are so small they evaporate almost as soon as they come into contact with the hot air. This evaporation helps to lower the air temperature and the fan blows the cool air across a larger area.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Misting Fan For You
There are many options for misting fans. While it is possible to purchase a misting fan for less than $20, you will most likely be unhappy with the results. Before rushing to the store and buying the first misting fan you see, know what to look for when selecting a fan for your home.
Check the Pump Pressure
Remember, a misting fan requires a high-pressure pump to force water through the spray nozzle to create the cooling mist. When you are shopping for a misting fan for your home, your first decision is what kind of pressure do you need to cool your patio?
Misting fans are available in high-, medium- and low-pressure models. High-pressure pumps have more than 800 psi of pressure and cool a large area well, but are the most expensive to purchase, install, and maintain. Medium-pressure pumps start around 200 psi. Misting fans using medium-pressure pumps cost less than high-pressure systems but do not have the ability to create as fine of a mist. This can reduce the cooling efficiency of the fan and may cause the larger droplets taking longer to evaporate causing dampness. Low-pressure pumps are the cheapest option but are the least effective.
Which Water Source Works Best For You?
A misting fan requires a source of water to operate. Most fans require approximately one gallon of water per hour. If you are planning on running your misting fan all day, you will most likely want to purchase a model which is either connected directly to an on-demand water source or a fan which has a large water tank.
Misting fans which are directly connected to an on-demand water source typically require professional installation, are immobile, and cost more. However, these types of fans do not need daily refilling. Fans with water tanks are a more inexpensive choice. These misting fans do not require a plumber to install and are easy to relocate for more convenient cooling options, but they do need owners to pay attention to their water levels.
Your Fan’s Nozzle Makes a Difference
The type of nozzle your misting fan uses can make the difference between effective cooling and just getting wet. There are two main types of nozzles available: impingement nozzles and impeller nozzles.
Impingement nozzles force water through a very small single hole in the center of the nozzle. This results in the finest mist available. The downside of this type of nozzle is it is very expensive and has a tendency to clog and move out of alignment. A much more common type of misting nozzle is the impeller nozzle. While an impeller nozzle can’t create as fine a mist as an impingement nozzle, impeller nozzles are much more durable and affordable. The best impeller nozzles often come close to the misting ability of an impingement nozzle.
Whichever type of nozzle you choose, make sure the nozzle is easy to clean because all types of nozzles can clog with debris over time.
Do you have more questions about which misting fan system is ideal for your home? Explore all of your options by calling (480) 756-9100 and speaking with a landscaping expert from Blooming Desert.