Best Way to Circulate in House With High Ceilings

Dan has been in the HVAC industry for 23 years with experience ranging from installation and service to sales and distribution.

Cooling a room with a vaulted ceiling can exist difficult.

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High and vaulted ceilings are definitely a popular pattern in our homes and buildings. They give the room a much more open up feeling and lend to a one thousand- looking room. Typically, in that location are large windows at the acme or skylights that give that open-air feel and let in a nice amount of natural calorie-free, which is always a welcome do good. The question that is commonly asked amid those who accept this gorgeous design though is, "How do I control the temperature of this room meliorate?"

Well, I'm glad yous asked. There are a few tips that I tin can offer to help with this and a bit of information that you may desire to consider if you are building your dwelling house and accept vaulted ceilings in your design. During construction is the best time to "nip this in the bud," but there are also things that tin be done for those who are across that phase.

The fan in your furnace is capable of moving more air than that oscillating one you're running.

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You're Not Really Cold!

Always wonder why today, when your house was at 70 degrees, you feel fine, and and so tomorrow, at the aforementioned temperature, yous're freezing? Much of this has to do with perspiration. Your body temperature combined with humidity, air pressure level, and other factors tin often go out you damp and feeling cold.

Instead of cranking upward the heat, effort running your furnace fan to create air movement. This tin help evaporate the moisture on your skin and even out the temperature in your domicile past mixing the air. You might even exist amazed that without turning up the estrus, the temperature on your thermostat will actually increase a degree or two in the winter months when the fan comes on.

Use Your Furnace Fan to Help Heat and Cool Your Home More Evenly

In today'southward world where energy conservation is more and more than considered, nosotros still run iv or v fans throughout the house to move air when nosotros have one fan that can move air in every room and will end up using less electricity. This is the fan on our furnace.

Many people do not realize that the "fan/auto" switch on the thermostat is there for exactly this and that even though y'all're running the fan, the heating or cooling cycles volition still operate every bit they ordinarily would. The play tricks hither is that they volition probable non run as often since you are non allowing the air in the dwelling to split. This is a peculiarly practiced idea on our more farthermost temperature days.

On nicer days, where the temperature exterior is where we'd like it, and let's say we don't have ac, this is a bang-up idea to open the windows and doors while letting the furnace fan draw in the outdoor air and cool down that sauna that those hot days have made out of your home.

Equally for energy, the fan starting is where the most ability is being drawn. One time a furnace fan is running, it doesn't cost that much to keep it going. Sure, it puts a few more miles on the motor but if your filters are kept up on and you've done your fan maintenance, y'all won't have any problems with this. Just think, you spend "10" amount on multiple fans, the electric to run them and they don't filter the air for you...so what if you lot have to supplant a fan motor a few months sooner than you lot would anyway? It's easier to keep up with one fan as opposed to many.

This is a large return air grill considering this business firm's HVAC design was improper when it was built and is the but one in the home. Equally a result, information technology must draw all the air the furnace requires through one pigsty.

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Spread Out the Returns

The higher up is improper considering it creates an uneven describe of air throughout the home. It'due south large enough so it doesn't bear upon the wear on the motor but it doesn't help to heat and cool the upstairs at all...except that information technology keeps it hot in the summer and cold in the wintertime!

The Importance of Return Air Placement

Render air is an important aspect of heating and cooling those high ceilings that ties right in with the use of your furnace fan. As I said, the furnace fan is neat for creating air move and keeping the air mixed, but for those who take great return air placement, the benefits of that fan are fifty-fifty better. This is how the fan can filter the air as it works while removing the warm air as well.

First, let'south understand that cool air displaces warm air. I approximate you tin can say it rises, but that'due south actually not true. It'southward pushed upwardly by the heavier, cooler air. It'southward besides skilful to know that heat "=attacks cool, not the other way around. Heat is greedy and wants to impose its volition on everything cooler than information technology is. Okay, then now that the fan is off, the air is not mixing and the oestrus up there at the ceiling is sitting on height of the libation air, greedy heat will begin to warm the air below it. What if at that place was a fashion to pull this hot air off the top and cool it? There is. This is where a loftier wall return air register comes into play.

If you're building a business firm and have a room with vaulted ceilings, be sure that your HVAC organisation design includes a high and depression render air register in that room but that the extra return doesn't factor into the load calculations. This way, in the summertime months, you can block the lower return and allow the loftier wall return to pull the heat off the ceiling allowing the absurd air to build upwards better and in the winter, think reverse. Recall also that cold air being heavier is harder to motility, right?

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Blocking the return air can be elementary past either using magnetic covers or by having a register with dampers in information technology installed then that you can push the lever to close it downwardly like a supply annals.

Render Air Tin Too Exist Added to the Home

This addition actually depends on the structure of your home. Some could be done quite but while others may exist a flake more difficult and costly to add.

In a nutshell, since in that location are...a few, different home designs out at that place, you need to get air from bespeak "A" to point "B". The object is to seal off an opening and then that the air is being drawn but from the area you desire it to exist (point "A") and taken back to the return air duct (bespeak "B") where it can exist cooled and recycled.

Hopefully, this is something y'all can do easily but in that location are many cases where the cost could outweigh the benefits. It really depends on where yous're adding the return annals in proximity to the return air ducting. You can utilize stud wall space to help contain the air along with the drywall so keep that in mind. Simply exist sure yous're not cartoon air from "dead" spaces, basements, kitchens or bathrooms. These locations will transport less pleasant air throughout the home.

You could always use ane of these. It will cool down just nigh whatever room. Just be certain to commodities everything down and hold on to your young.

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What the Switch on Your Ceiling Fan is For

Ceiling fans are another great way to assistance heat and cool a room with vaulted or high ceilings. Nowadays, there are some really overnice ceiling fans that can be mounted in vaulted ceilings and operated by remote. This makes information technology simple to use without the hassle of climbing up there.

"Climbing up there? I operate my fan with a light switch."

Yes. Yes you do and this is why I advise the remote version. Why? You know that little switch on the base of the fan that nobody e'er uses? That'southward why and the remote can do that too, on a lot of models.

Using the ceiling fan's switch to reverse the direction of its rotation is important to help in whatever it is you're trying to achieve. If y'all want to get the heat off of the ceiling and down to where you are, you need to let the fan button information technology down through the cooler air. If y'all want to assistance pull the cooler air up off the floor, you need to reverse the fan's rotation so that it can do that.

Make sure you have a fan that has a reverse function that can exist operated by its remote. I recently installed this Hunter 52-inch ceiling fan in my house. Hunter is a quality name and all-time of all, you can contrary the direction of the fan with the use of the remote—a very of import feature.

Exist Comfortable in Your Great Room

I promise that this data will help you lot to be more comfy in your great room. No doubt this is the room yous probable spend your fourth dimension in and on, you deserve to be cozy in it too. These tips are simple and should lend themselves well to the comfort of your "Home Sugariness Habitation" without spending gobs of coin and really saving some in the process.

~ We're all in this together ~

This article is accurate and true to the all-time of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional communication in business concern, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: Which ceiling fan management pushes common cold air into the lower office of the room? How can I figure this out?

Respond: The fan blades are tilted so that i direction scoops air and in the other, it pushes air. When the higher edge leads its pushing air. When the lower edge leads it scoops air.

Question: I am building a VERY tall structure with basically two one/2 floors and the HVAC folks (2 teams for quotes) are suggesting totally dissimilar systems. They are talking about 3 private systems. One for footing level, i for the main level and a third to tend to the high vaulted ceiling. We are likewise planning to use 3 72 inch fans in the ceiling. This seems a bit much too me?

Answer: I promise yous understand how hard it is to question their decisions with little information. That said, I've always been a fan of multiple systems in big homes. Yes, there is the maintenance but there is also back up oestrus and cooling if 1 goes downwardly. It likewise provides the most even keel comfort throughout the dwelling. I would probably inquire virtually zoning the third room from one of the other 2 systems to cut information technology back from 3 if possible. The fans are really up to you. If you don't need them you but shut them off but they may as well be of not bad benefit if y'all exercise want them and information technology's much cheaper and less intrusive to exercise it during construction rather than subsequently the fact and you trying to friction match fans or replace all of them.

Question: If you lot have ii ceiling fans on a high ceiling, should they broadcast in different directions?

Reply: if It were me, no. I'd have them running in the same direction. I remember this creates the most even temperatures and airflow in the room.

Question: I take 2000 SF firm the great room has vaulted ceilings I accept a close vent from that room to cool the residual of the firm. There are two floors upstairs is where the bedrooms are. Or should I leave all the vents open up not sure what's logical I heard from another HVAC novelist to close all vents only the upstairs considering cool air sinks downward?

Answer: This answer is catchy considering A) there is a lot I don't know about your home and B) because there'due south a lot of math and I don't know much nearly your system design. Just here is what I can tell you. If yous close downward rooms that are on exterior walls, then the oestrus will penetrate further into the abode. Absurd rooms help rooms effectually them stay absurd since they share walls. Make sense? Your system is to be designed and then that each register allows a certain amount of air and a vi" pipage (for example) tin can only movement then much air. (Trying to shove v lbs into a two lb box) You can only achieve and then much with this method, and if y'all overload the duct, you lot'll but create back pressure level and not movement plenty air. Maybe yous should consider zoning your arrangement. This would allow unlike areas of the domicile to basically open and shut as demanded by the thermostats in those zones and not leaving the system to operate full fourth dimension at an improper balance or you stitch and down doing it manually. At that place is a logical way to practice what you say, just I don't recommend running effectually shutting off all your dampers randomly or just maxim "all the downstairs ones." Unfortunately, it'southward not something I can just teach you lot or that you'd fifty-fifty accept the tools to do it. Tinkering won't hurt, merely wholesale changes could make things work harder than they should or perhaps make the consequence worse. Keep your fan running. It will aid even out temperatures in the abode, costs piddling, and cleans your air in the process.

Question: I have a separate structure from my home. I take baseboard heat which heating isn't a problem, simply I have a window unit of measurement for air conditioning it's a 14x30 room that is an office /work space separated by French doors. It goes into the other side which is my dwelling house hair salon that is 24x24, and I have two big air conditioners and one small past 12:30 pm the air conditioners just can't cool it. The temperature is 85. I don't have any frazzle fans. Would they aid?

Answer: Fans might help, but that'due south a trivial complicated, then you don't exhaust your absurd air or create a vacuum. (Can't take the air out without bringing some in) Maybe something controlled by a humidity sensor could exist considered. I would consult with a local HVAC company to gets suggestions on sizing, placement, and controls.

© 2012 Dan Reed

Celeste on August nineteen, 2020:

I am non sure where you are located only I was wondering if you lot could recommend any "proficient" HVAC installers in New Bailiwick of jersey, specifically, Bergen,Passaic or Essex Counties. I always feel like I am getting the "sales pitch" aka "ripped off" and beingness I know very piddling about HVAC systems I'm whatsoever like shooting fish in a barrel target. All I am looking for is a professional and honest contractor, who actually knows everything you speak of; placement, fan, ceiling fans etc etc.

I am in the procedure of purchasing a new home and need a new HVAC system and desire to do it Right; more cost efficient, quiet, more than efficient and affordable.i want a contractor who volition check all those boxes.

Tin you offer an recommendations?

Cheers for all the valuable & free info.

Abena King on July 25, 2020:

Where I have upstairs rooms with vaulted ceilings, which accept no insulation or attic space to a higher place them, how can I keep the ceiling from becoming so hot in the summer? It literally emits heat into the room. A ceiling fan helps some, only not a lot. In other upstairs rooms of the business firm, where we have ceilings which accept insulation and an attic, we don't accept the problem of the estrus coming from the ceiling.

Melissa Reynolds on October 08, 2019:

We are mayhap going to rent a dwelling with very tall ceilings and the last tenants said there heating bill (all electric) in the wintertime was 500 or more. I was wondering some tips nosotros tin can do to salve or lower that amount. There is no ceiling fans at this time. I asked the landlord if he would possibly install some.

Dan Reed (author) on March xix, 2018:

I recollect the article should help quite a bit with things to be aware of. I personally would have both high and low returns in a room with huge ceilings, peculiarly if it was a decent amount of square footage. It definitely won't injure and is very easy to do during structure compared to afterward. Ceiling fans are a good idea too and I would take one of those in there besides. If there is a lot of glass exposure, make sure they load the room with proper supply air equally well. You can always damper off a supply if you lot need but adding one in afterwards the fact is non so piece of cake.

Ray M on March xviii, 2018:

Thank you for your info. Building a house with a huge cathedral ceiling. All info is welcome. Cheers

Dan Reed (writer) on July 27, 2017:

Nameless - I accept all comments withal you lot are mistaken. The system notwithstanding cycles simply fine with the fan in the "on" position. I've ran mine this mode for years and many HVAC techs will ostend the aforementioned information that running the fan continuously is in no style disrupting the normal performance or cycling of the organization. Try it. You lot'll see.

Practice not turn fan to ON on July 26, 2017:

You should not leave your fan on ON. The system must cycle which requires the fan to plough on and off. This is a poorly explained article.

Dan Reed (author) on February 21, 2017:

Connee - I'chiliad not familiar with that gear up upwardly just in that location are a whole lot of different products out there. It sounds like some sort of zoning set up but I've never heard of one beingness controlled past manual switches. Sad I can't exist of much help. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Connee on February xx, 2017:

I take a domicile congenital in 1984...it has three square vents in the vaulted ceilings, in living room and atrium room, and then small vents in the bedrooms downstairs. The upstairs vents are operated by switches individually. I believe the idea was to accept accumulated heat from ceiling and direct to the lower level for heating, but non certain...anyone seen these?

Vicky on November 27, 2016:

Give thanks you! I have a 1900 dwelling house and I'm a novice re heating and keeping my home warmer w/o installing two units. Appreciate explanations of auto fan and the mysteries of warm vs cold air. I likewise have those huge returns in the floors in lobby and living room. I will keep them uncovered by rugs. Thank you again. I'll check out your other topics.

menskits on July 18, 2015:

Nice hub! thanks for sharing!

Dan Reed (author) on November 17, 2014:

t curcio - I prepare my thermostat as I usually would so only switch the "auto-fan" switch to fan. This mode the heat will come on equally needed while the fan runs continuously. This helps to go along the air circulated and thus burning the gas a fleck less often. You don't want to just run the fan with the estrus off though. Of class if we're discussing the age quondam dilemma of "he'south hot, she's not, she'southward hot, he's not", allow me know when you effigy that out. I volition make a lot of customers very happy when they agree on the temperature at which the stat should exist set. :-)

t curcio on Nov 17, 2014:

I understand near the blower running all the time but should the thermostat exist sett and so that warm air can be distributed while blower is running anyway? my husband will not motion the thermostat and then that that happens the air that is being circulated is cold air in these high ceciling rooms.

Nicole S Hanson from Minnesota on May 24, 2013:

Very interesting! We have a high ceiling that gets nice and dusty on the chandelier. Nice hub!

Dan Reed (author) on January 26, 2013:

Give thanks you lot.

Better Yourself from North Carolina on Jan 25, 2013:

Interesting and useful hub! More and more homes are existence built with vaulted ceilings so this is bully info.

Dan Reed (author) on July 21, 2012:

@Marcy - Rut is ever in the eye of the beholder and I don't underestimate how chilly a Texas winter would feel after a Texas summer. Ohio had been nearly or at 100 degrees for 2 weeks and and so yesterday...seventy's. I was freezing. Of course in February, I'll be wearing shorts when information technology's 50 and feeling similar a summer solar day. Tricky stuff the weather...

If you similar your fans in that room now, check out that remote command here. It can exist added to an existing fan so perhaps if your décor is the fashion you similar but desire to have remote. There's your cake and there's your fork...dive in!

Marcy Goodfleisch from Planet World on July 21, 2012:

Oh, wow - a major Aha moment here for me! I knew about the reverse switch (that nobody uses), but since my fans are too hard to reach, I abased the idea of messing with them. I demand to practise the remote matter. And I doubtable ownership new fans will bear witness a payback but for the efficiency and for that characteristic (the ones I have now are probably 16 years erstwhile).

Even in hot Texas, rooms with high ceilings get common cold in the winter due to the estrus rise, so investing in new fans will pay off all year round. I can install the old ones in other rooms I utilise less often & that don't nevertheless have fans.

Great and witty caption on your photo of the giant floor fan! Lol!

TahoeDoc from Lake Tahoe, California on July 20, 2012:

A few ah-ha sentences in there for me. Skillful job and this will be very useful in increasing the condolement of lots of people in their homes. :)

Holle Abee from Georgia on July 19, 2012:

Dandy tips. I'll need this info when we close in our carport. Voted up, shared, etc.

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Source: https://dengarden.com/home-improvement/Heating-and-Cooling-Homes-With-High-Ceilings-Efficiently

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