“ We love our Big Ass Fan! We get better air movement in the giraffe house than anywhere else in the zoo.
Giraffes are accustomed to warm temperatures year-round, so it was no surprise the caretakers at Kentucky’s Louisville Zoo found it difficult to create a comforting environment for them in a state known for its distinct seasons. With 40-ft (12.2m) cathedral-style ceilings, the Zoo’s Giraffe House constantly ran boilers to warm the animals in cold months. In the summers, the Giraffe House relied on two standard 60-in (1.5m) ceiling fans, but they were unable to move large enough volumes of air to keep the animals comfortable. An energy-efficiency audit suggested the Zoo could significantly reduce its yearly energy consumption, so the leadership went in search of a tall-order solution.
Energy consultants Johnson Controls pointed the Zoo to Big Ass Fans®. The company replaced the two unproductive fans with a 12-ft (3.7m) Powerfoil®X2.0. In winter, the fan moves large volumes of warm air off the ceiling, where it pools, to create a uniform temperature. Because the boilers now run less, the Zoo is saving up to 30% in operating costs. During summer, the Powerfoil X2.0 is in constant use to dispel flies, eradicate unpleasant odors and create a cooling effect of up to 10°F (5.6°C). “The fan is fantastic,” said Giraffe Keeper Karen Veleta. “It not only conserves energy, it contributes to the welfare of the animals.”
