
Replacing AC: the potential of automatic ceiling fans

Replacing AC: the potential of automatic ceiling fans
The study showed that automatic ceiling fan control provides thermal comfort and air quality comparable to manual settings, offering an energy-efficient alternative to air conditioning.
A study, titled 'Thermal comfort and perceived air quality (PAQ) using automatic ceiling fans in residential buildings', tested an algorithm for automatic ceiling fan speed adjustment to enhance energy-efficient cooling and thermal comfort in warm climates.
Conducted with 30 participants in an environmental chamber, it evaluated four fan modes—Automatic, Manual Direct, Manual Reverse, and Off—across three temperatures (27 °C, 29 °C, 31 °C).
Results showed automatic operation provided thermal satisfaction comparable to manual control. Direct flow (downward) outperformed reverse flow at higher temperatures, improving perceived air quality (PAQ) compared to no fan.
Automatic control maintained consistent PAQ across temperatures, offering a sustainable, user-friendly alternative to traditional air conditioning.
ENEa2VjuHY_22_01_2025_141704.pdf
English (4.89 MB - PDF)