Comfortably conditioned structures may be the common goal for all HVAC contractors, but how each industry sector achieves the goal is different. Take ceiling fans, for example. Although often placed in the home by a customer, residential contractors do not typically specify it, nor do they regularly include them in their heating and cooling solutions. On the commercial side, however, in some instances ceiling fans are becoming a key component to keep the space comfortable while remaining energy efficient.
“On the sustainability edge of this, we are seeing the rise of radiant heating and cooling combined with ceiling fans for circulation,” said Bob Dills, vice president of Western Allied Mechanical, Menlo Park, California. “This allows for a reduction in the amount of required supply air, which can be adjusted to only meet the outdoor air needs of the building, with smaller ductwork and fans adding to the economics and reducing noise.”