Heat Erodes Productivity
The hotter it gets, the less productive you are – studies show productivity begins to decrease by about 1 per cent for every degree the temperature rises above 77°F or 25°C. That has serious implications for us in the Caribbean, where temperatures soar and maintaining thermal comfort in these conditions is crucial. Nothing improves thermal comfort better than air movement, and while air movement does not lower the actual temperature, it creates a wind-chill effect as the breeze passes over our skin, making us feel up to 10°F (6°C) cooler.
Whether residential, commercial, hospitality, education or even agriculture, cooling matters. While we all love our air-conditioners, all that juice adds up to $11 billion a year in the US residential sector alone. That’s more than the yearly operating budget of a small island.
Fans improve the efficiency and effectiveness of air-conditioning in several ways. For starters, generating a few degrees of cooling from an energy-efficient fan will allow you to raise your thermostat set point a few degrees and stay just as comfortable. For every degree you raise your thermostat, you, or your client, can save 3 to 6 per cent on cooling costs. Additionally, the temperature isn’t the same everywhere in any building. 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.
Regardless of the project, there is no point in installing a decorative fan that can't do the job, you will have unhappy clients, more so if they have to replace them either due to inefficiency or accelerated rust.
Let's start with export warranties. Big Ass Fans are confident in their products, so they offer them. Knowing that a company stands by its products globally is of enormous importance in our region, where these items are almost always imported, and we all know that moisture and metals don't mix. Big Ass Fans has wet and damp-rated fans that won't droop, rust or wobble.
Often we require more industrial solutions, and Punta Cana Airport is a great case study. By the early 2000s, the ever-growing number of passengers travelling through Punta Cana was beginning to push the cooling capacity of the airport beyond its limits. More passengers meant more heat, and cramped spaces disrupted the passive, open-air cooling. Newly arrived travellers exited their flights and stepped into a humid environment with oppressive heat. Punta Cana knew that it needed a long-term solution if it wanted to realize continued growth. However, the structure's thatched roof meant that air conditioning the space was impossible. While replacing the roof with a conventional one was financially feasible, Punta Cana's leadership didn't want to lose the airport's unique charm.
Punta Cana now uses more than 35 Powerfoil Big Ass Fans in its international terminals. The fans' outstanding airflow, silent operation and durability have been key in Punta Cana's choice. The fans produce a cooling effect of 10°F (6°C) that keeps passengers comfortable and increases the natural flow of air in and out of the building while retaining its original charm.
Whether residential, industrial or even portable, Big Ass Fans offer viable solutions. Here at Lightstar, we don't just sell you a fan; we sell you correctly specified fans to suit your space or challenges, and as your link between manufacturer and project, we draw down on our unique access to specialist advice to ensure the right fit.
