Whole Room Circulators | Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the difference between an “Air Circulator” and a “Fan?”
A: While ordinary or commodity “fans” move air, they simply 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 elements results in a room penetrating vortex or “beam” of air. We call this Vornado Vortex Action. Vortex Action excites all the air in the room into complete and continuous motion. This excitation enlivens room air and delivers comfort to all room occupants anywhere 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.

Q: How is the new Vornado Air Circulator I own different from the old Vornadofan® my parents owned?
A: Although both are based on the same basic aerodynamic elements, the new Vornado Air Circulators are actually more efficient air movers. Beginning with the introduction of our first Vornado Air Circulator in 1989 and, more recently with the introduction of the new 500, 600 and 700 Series Circulators, we improved output through the fan head by tweaking elements of the system. The result is astounding performance from devices that are considered “small” by some people and considerably more efficient than the original Vornadofan of the 1940s and ‘50s.

Additionally, the grill design of the new Vornado meets today’s finger probe and related safety requirements. Finally, today’s Vornado is considerably more rugged and attractively styled.

Q: So, how do I best utilize my Vornado Air Circulator in summer?
A: In summer, we recommend running the unit on “High” and aiming the beam of air so that it hits a wall across the room roughly halfway up. This will allow for the establishment of a high speed circulation pattern in the room.

Here’s a helpful hint: Always make certain the vortex travels across the room unobstructed. This is required for proper circulation.

Q: I have air conditioning. How does moving air with a Vornado Air Circulator make you feel cooler and save money?
A: 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.)

Q: You speak of year-round use. Why and how do I use a Vornado Air Circulator in winter?
A: Why? To better utilize 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, therefore, wasted.

How? Select a low-speed setting and point the adjustable fan head toward 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.

Q: Is there any advantage to having more than one Vornado Air Circulator operating in a single room?
A: It depends on the size and shape of the room as well as how you direct the airflow. In larger rooms, a second Vornado Air Circulator can provide additional comfort as long as the Vornados are not pointed directly at each other effectively canceling one other.

Q: I have ceiling fans. Can I use a Vornado Air Circulator too?
A: Certainly, but you may need to experiment as the strong downdraft of the ceiling fan may create enough of a disturbance in the room as to minimize or negate the benefits of the 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.

Q: We spend as much of the summer season as possible outside on our patio. Although we have a canopy over it, there aren’t any walls. Would a Vornado Air Circulator help keep us comfortable?
A: Yes, but the Vornado Air Circulator must blow directly on you since the space is not enclosed and, therefore, prohibits circulation. However, please remember that Vornado products are not recommended, nor are they listed with UL, for outdoor use.

Q: Do I need to oil the motor in my Vornado Air Circulator?
A: Your Vornado Air Circulator’s motor will NEVER need oiling as it is permanently lubricated. Adding oil, especially the wrong kind of oil, can ruin the motor.

Q: Are Vornado Air Circulators really designed in Andover, Kansas?
A: Yes! Design and engineering, as well as some manufacturing functions, are performed in-house at Vornado’s 120,000 square-foot headquarters in Andover, Kansas and 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, whole room air purifiers, whole room heaters, whole room humidifiers and oscillating fans – all bearing the Vornado brand, the most trusted brand in air comfort for more than 50 years.

Q: If your products are as good as you say, how will a Vornado you might introduce 10 years from now be any better than the one I have today?
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 has come a long way in the last half century. Recently, for example, Vornado has introduced more efficient heating elements more robust safety features into its heaters. Among all of our products, you will find improvements such as more efficient motors, and more intuitive control interfaces.