Saving money, saving energy, and keeping your sweat at bay…what’s not to like? The quirky geniuses at Big Ass Fans keep the environment, our pocketbooks, and sweaty people in mind as they continue to develop their, um, big ass fans. So you may be wondering what the big deal is. It’s just a ridiculously giant fan, right? Well, novelty aside, the fans are designed to move a boatload of air around while using a small amount of energy. This allows vast amounts of air to be circulated at amazing efficiencies that blow small or regular ass fans out of the water. Big Ass Fans was founded in 1999 with a mission to revolutionize high volume, low speed (HVLS) fan technology. As of today, they have an expansive reach with 35,000 of these fans spinning worldwide. With over a decade of research and development, BAF has used wind tunnel testing, computational fluid dynamics, and finite element analysis to achieve unmatched cooling solutions for many commercial and industrial spaces. Since the monstrous utilitarian models, like the ceiling-mounted Powerfoil X and upright Airgo, would most likely turn your studio apartment into a vortex, more compact and architecturally aesthetic models have recently been introduced for smaller commercial and residential spaces.

The Element and Isis models are sleek and minimal, with no swirly-doodle bells and whistles to clash with individualized decors. While looks and energy consumption are both gentle, so is the noise level. A design of ten slow-moving blades turn large amounts of air which makes for a quiet cool while others continue to tolerate whirrs and wobbles of the old standard. And if you think machine-based noise is inescapable in industrial territory, step into a factory cooled by a Big Ass Fan and you’ll think twice.

BAF doesn’t stop the buck at claims of lower energy consumption by design. The fans are built to last without a compromise on parts or build quality. The facilities are all LEED certified, and of course, are cooled by their own Big Ass Fans, as are many other LEED certified buildings. And if that isn’t enough, BAF donates to the non-profit Longhopes Donkey Shelter rescue in Bennett, Colorado, where friends of their mascot, Fanny the donkey, await a new home…preferably one with a Big Ass Fan.