Posted 4/22/10
by Vornado Staff

With spring in full bloom, it is officially Vornado fan season. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your Vornado this summer.

Where to Place Your Vornado:

Unlike typical fans, your circulator is not intended to blow air directly at you- instead it circulates all of the air in the room. To get the maximum effect out of your Vornado, place it in a corner or perimeter location in the room, facing towards the opposite wall or corner. If possible, avoid large obstacles, such as furniture, that could interrupt the airstream. Also, be sure that the rear of the Vornado is free from obstructions (curtains, furniture) that may block the air as it is pulled into the circulator. The signature Vortex Action airflow will travel across the room, and flow along the walls and ceilings – ensuring that the entire room is circulated. Because hot air rises, the coolest air is typically near the floor – so placing your Vornado on or near the floor is recommended to quickly establish a balanced room temperature.

Refresh Your Home:
Moderate temperatures make spring the ideal time to take advantage of open windows and doors to improve indoor quality. According to a report by the EPA , there is an increasing body of evidence that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air , even in the largest and most industrialized cities. Cleaning chemicals, paint, fragrance dispensers, and even carpet are just a few of the culprits that elevate the contamination levels in your home. The report recommends the introduction of fresh, outdoor air into indoor spaces to reduce the presence of these pollutants. By positioning your Vornado in front of an open door or window, with the airflow directed into the room, you can considerably increase the amount of fresh air flowing into your space. Your Vornado moves a high volume of air and this technique is an excellent way to refresh the often polluted indoor air with clean air from outside your home. The flat panel shape of the new Vornado 270 and Vornado 573 makes these products uniquely suited to this application  as they may fit easily into doorways or windows.

Your Number One Fan:
In rooms where a ceiling fan is present, you may consider using only your Vornado, as the strong downdraft of the ceiling fan may create enough of a disturbance in the room as to minimize or negate the unique Vortex Action airflow of the Vornado Air Circulator.  Vornado owners frequently report that the smooth, gentle airflow of a Vornado is more comfortable and effective that of a ceiling fan. Vornado recommends experimenting to determine your ideal preferences.

Spring Cleaning:
Whether your Vornado has been used all winter to circulate heat off of your ceiling, or if you’re just now pulling your circulator out of storage – Spring is a great time to clean the grill and blades.

Note: Be sure to unplug the cord prior to cleaning your Vornado. Vornado recommends using a Vacuum to clean the inlet ribs and motor cap located at the rear portion of the circulator. Most Vornado Whole Room Circulators feature a removable grill to make cleaning easy. Refer to your owners manual or refer to our online manuals to learn how to remove the grill for your specific model. Again, a household vacuum can be used, or you can even dust or wash the detached grill with a mild dishwashing soap. Once you have removed the grill, you will have easy access to the blades- which can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. If your Vornado has run in a kitchen or other environment where grease may be present, you may want to use a mild soap to remove any grease buildup. After reattaching the grill, your Vornado is ready to use for another year.

When Summer Heat Arrives
It has been shown that circulating air raises your threshold of discomfort. That means if you’re comfortable at a 72-degree thermostat setting with NO air moving, you can enjoy the same level of comfort at a higher thermostat setting, say 77-degrees. That 5-degree increase of the thermostat can translate into as much as a 10% savings on your electric bill. (Energy savings vary by part of the country. Savings estimates are provided by the Department of Energy.)  Even when it’s time to turn on the Air Conditioner, your Vornado will be an important part of your climate control solution – and will help you save energy and money all summer long.

Keywords: Indoor Air Quality, Spring, Tips, Vornado ,Fan, Cleaning, Maintenance, Care, Usage, Guide, Efficiency, Savings, Energy, Green, Eco, Heat, Summer, Comfort