How Are Big Ass Fans Green, Anyway?

Big Ass Fans specializes in just that: big ass fans, manufacturing fans with diameters as large as 24’.

Originally founded in 1999 to increase comfort and safety in farms and factories, they specialize in designing fans for large spaces, such as for use in commercial, industrial, or agricultural buildings. They have since designed a silent motor and various aesthetic options to fit the need of the space. They’re not all gigantic, as the company also manufacturers a line of fans to be used in the home. But what makes them so special?

Along with having a pretty memorable company name, Big Ass Fans promises consumers substantial cuts in their energy bills, as well as a fan with sustainably sourced materials. The company has been making headlines for quite some time, having been named by Forbes as one of ‘America’s most promising companies’, and honored with an Innovation Award by Green Manufacturer Magazine, to name a few of their accolades. So how does it work? There are two features of Big Ass Fans that give it superior performance:

Heat Destratification

During the colder months, buildings use heat to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Stratification occurs because the hot air coming from a heating source is lighter than the cool air present in the room, resulting in the hot air rising to the ceiling.

In order to tackle the problem, Big Ass Fans slow down to a speed that destratifies the heat, circulating the hot air throughout the room without creating a draft. The resulting uniformity in temperature allows the thermostat to maintain a setpoint with much less effort, significantly reducing energy costs. Big Ass Fans tout a reduction in operating costs of up to 30%. The temperature consistency also prevents condensation leading to corrosion, as well as reduces the potential for mold growth.

Summer Cooling

In the warmer months, Big Ass Fans focuses on decreasing the perceived heat on the individuals in a space. Increasing air movement results in a perceived cooling effect of up to 10°F. When used in conjunction with air conditioning, the set-point can be raised whilst maintaining the thermal comfort of the occupants, thus saving energy and costs.

The company not only considers sustainability in the operation of its product, but also in the manufacturing. Using locally-sourced components and recycled content, the fans have sustainability in mind from start to finish. The company’s pallets are designed from 100% recycled materials, and can be reused for up to 12 years. Additionally, their testing lab has been certified LEED Gold, using 35% less energy and 58% less water than a building of comparable size meeting minimum code requirements. The company also prides itself on eliminating the middle-man, bringing the product straight from the manufacturer to the consumer.

Big Ass Fans has recently changed its company name to Big Ass Solutions to incorporate their new line of Big Ass Lights. Their series of LED lights for home and the office provide energy efficient solutions to lighting problems.