It’s universal–we all want to be comfortable. Whether hiding out to beat the summer’s heat or bundling up to escape winter’s chill, we just want to feel good in our own skin.
But unfortunately, attempts to fend off temperature extremes often results in wasted utilities and rooms with uneven temperatures. What many may not realize is that airflow is key to creating that perfect environment.
In the Summer
When it is hot outside and the heat makes its way indoors, you have two options to combat heat stress: crank up the A/C or get creative. Whether you have A/C or not, air movement improves your body’s natural cooling mechanisms, keeping you happy and safe.
Nothing improves thermal comfort better than air movement. While air movement does not lower the actual temperature, it creates a wind-chill effect as the breeze passes over our skin that can make us feel up to 6°C cooler. Think about how good it feels when you’re working outside, all hot and sweaty, and a breeze rolls in. Big Ass Fans are like that, but all the time.
Additionally, the temperature in a room is not the same everywhere – it is colder by the vent, hotter by a large window, and so forth. Fans mix the air creating complete uniformity, allowing the thermostat to read the actual temperature in the space, not just the temperature by the thermostat.
In the Winter
Big Ass fans are known for summer cooling but are equally effective in winter. Thanks to their variable speed settings, Big Ass Fans can be run at low speeds to push the hot air at the ceiling downward, providing you with warmer, more comfortable air without creating a perceptible draft. Because these fans generate their power from their size rather than their speed, they are able to thoroughly mix the entire volume of air in a space: something that standard ceiling fans are too small and inefficient to do.
Stratification
Most climate control woes are due to a phenomenon called stratification. Simply put, stratification means that the air in our spaces settles into layers based on temperature. Cold air is denser, so it sinks down to the floor, while warmer, lighter air rises to the ceiling and is eventually lost through the roof. The higher the ceiling, the worse the problem gets.
By using a Big Ass ceiling fan in winter, you can create the air movement needed to mix heated air at the ceiling with cold air at the floor, effectively destratifying these layers and erasing the temperature difference. With uniform temperatures throughout the space, heaters do not need to run as frequently to maintain thermostat set points.
Outbuildings
Another common use for Big Ass fans are in various outbuildings on your property. Do you have a garage for your car collection? How about stables on your property? Man-cave? She-shed? Whatever you have, there is a Big Ass fan waiting to create the perfect environment.
Case Study – The Garagemahal
“Personally, I use my Big Ass fan almost every day,” says John Stumpf, Sales Manager for Station Earth. “When my wife and I decided to build a stand-alone garage, we envisioned using the space for more than just cars. We wanted an environment that could be used as a year-round gathering spot, during the scorching heat of summer as well as throughout Canada’s famously cold winters. Proper climate control and airflow was a key element in our overall design.”
“Part garage, part man-cave and part event space, The Garagemahal has become our go-to year-round gathering space,” notes Stumpf. Dominating the ceiling is the Big Ass 10’ Isis fan.
“People come over to watch the game or check out the car collection, however, conversation inevitably shifts to the fan” says Stumpf. “It is truly a conversation piece.”
With the recent global pandemic, John has transformed a portion of the garage into his home-based office. “I now spend several hours a day working behind my desk in the Garagemahal. The fan is always running and the environment is perfect” notes Stumpf. “The motor is completely silent. The blades move slowly and mix the air with no perceptible breeze. Temperature stratification is eliminated, and the climate is consistent from wall to wall.”
“And to top it off, Big Ass fans are completely integrated into my Elan Home Automation system. I can control and monitor the fans performance from my phone or any of the touchscreen panels throughout our home. We now regularly include Big Ass fans as an integral part of our client’s home automation solutions” states Stumpf. “Our latest installations include an indoor pool room and an impressive man cave.”
At Station Earth, we are all about finding new ways to make our client’s home life more comfortable and rewarding. Talk to a Station Earth representative today for more information on this and other unique home automation solutions.