Air Circulator FAQs
A: While ordinary or commodity “fans” move air, they lack the aerodynamics to circulate air. Specifically, fans have a wide dispersion pattern with no room penetration. Because of this, you must have the fan blowing on you in order to derive comfort.
Vornado Air Circulators are highly efficient air moving devices that make ordinary fans obsolete. The system includes a unique combination of aerodynamic elements (Inlet air accelerator or flow straightener, deep-pitch propeller, blade duct and AirTensity™ grill). The combination of these elements results in a room penetrating vortex or “beam” of air that we call Vornado Vortex Action. Vortex Action excites all the air in the room into motion. This excitation enlivens room air and delivers comfort to everyone in the room.
What’s more, the ability of a Vornado Air Circulator to move air over long distances affords you a variety of uses including air exchange between rooms, up the stairs or down the hall. No ordinary fan delivers comfort like a Vornado Air Circulator.
A: Although both are based on the same basic aerodynamic elements, the new Vornado Air Circulators move air more efficiently. With the introduction of the first Vornado Air Circulator in 1989 and the new 500, 600 and 700 Series Circulators, tweaking elements of the system has improved fan head output. The result is astounding performance from comparatively “small” units and considerably higher efficiency than the original VornadoFan of the 1940s and ‘50s.
Additionally, a new Vornado meets today’s advanced safety requirements. Finally, Vornado Air Circulators are considerably more rugged and attractively styled.
A: During the summer, we recommend running the unit on “High” and aiming Vornado’s beam of air roughly halfway up a wall across the room. This allows for the establishment of a high speed circulation pattern in the room.
Here’s a helpful hint: For proper circulation, always make certain the vortex travels unobstructed across the room.
A: Research shows that circulating air raises your threshold of discomfort. That means if you’re comfortable at 72° with NO air moving, an air circulator enables you to enjoy the same level of comfort at a higher thermostat setting, say 77°. A 5° thermostat increase can potentially translate into as much as a 10% savings on your electric bill. (Energy rates and corresponding savings vary by location. Savings estimates are provided by the Department of Energy.)
A:Why? An Air Circulator better utilizes available heat in the room. As you know, hot air rises and cool air falls. Without air circulation, heat is simply trapped at the ceiling and wasted.
How? Select a low-speed setting and aim the fan head at the ceiling. This forces the hot air off the ceiling and mixes it with the cooler air near the floor resulting in an even distribution of heat throughout the entire room. This can save you money.
A: As long as the Vornados are not pointed directly at each other effectively canceling out one other, a second Vornado Air Circulator can provide additional comfort in larger rooms. It all depends on the size and shape of the room as well as how the airflow is directed.
A: The strong ceiling fan downdraft may create enough of a disturbance in the room to minimize or negate the benefits of a Vornado Air Circulator. Interestingly, we have had a number of consumers tell us they quit using their ceiling fans because the circulation and comfort delivered by Vornado is gentler and more complete.
A: Since the space is not enclosed, the Vornado Air Circulator must blow directly on you for comfort. However, please remember that Vornado products are not recommended, nor are they listed with UL, for outdoor use.
A: Your Vornado Air Circulator motor is permanently lubricated and will NEVER need oiling. Adding oil, especially the wrong kind of oil, can ruin the motor.
A: Yes! Design, engineering, and some manufacturing functions are performed in-house at Vornado’s 120,000 square-foot headquarters in Andover, Kansas as they have been since 1989, when Vornado Air Circulation Systems launched its first whole-room air circulator. The Vornado line has now expanded to encompass more than 25 models across five distinct comfort categories including Air Circulators, Air Purifiers, Heaters, Humidifiers and Oscillating Fans.
A: Although the design principle used in our products is the same as it was 60 years ago when the O. A. Sutton Corporation made the first Vornadofans, technology is always changing. Products developed over the next ten years are likely to include higher efficiency, advances in safety, and more intuitive control interfaces as seen in the Vornado iControl Heater.
