Best Cooling Fans for a Good Night's Sleep
by Christine Lepisto, Berlin 
on 07.10.08
Good things come in threes. TreeHugger recently reviewed the Bedfan and SunFrost Sleep Genie. The Bedfan cools you under the sheets while you sleep. The Sleep Genie is sized to cool just your sleeping area by insulating around the bed ("Victorian bed curtains" suggests TreeHugger's Lloyd Alter), and could be solar-powered.
Making it three, we mention the Sleepbreeze Personal Cooling System. The Sleepbreeze cooling fan sips just 4 watts power, and a timer option gently slows the fan to a stop (so you won't awaken at a sudden change) after 15, 30 or 45 minutes if you choose.
Sleep Fan Pack Sack and Battery Power Accessories
The sleepbreeze collapses to pack away in a 14 x 14 x 13 cm (5.5 x 5.5 x 5.1 inches) pack sack. A battery power accessory is also available. Be sure to use the best rechargable batteries. The image at the top of this article shows the duct tied up to demonstrate its flexibility, but normally you would just align it with your body and let the cool air flow.
Which is the Best Cooling Fan for a Good Night's Sleep?
How do all the cooling fan or air conditioning options stack up? Here are some examples -- based on the most energy efficient models in each category:
- The Sleepbreeze personal cooling fan: 4 watts
- The Bedfan, recently featured in TreeHugger: 10 watts
- Ceiling Fan: 7 - 112 watts, depending on low/med/high speed and fan choice(1)
- Desk fan: typically 60 watts(2)
- The SunFrost mini-air conditioner, recently reviewed in TreeHugger: 72 watts. Low enough to be powered by a 280-watt solar array.
- Air Conditioner Room Unit: 470 watts(3)
Footnotes on Best Cooling Fan Options
(1) Specifications for a Monte Carlo Fan Company DC60 model, which rated with the best efficiency (CFM/Watt) in the EPA Energy Star Program for Ceiling Fans. For comparison, Casablanca ceiling fans range from 7 to 112 watts power.
(2) Very lazy cite: from Sleepbreeze FAQ page. Worth a visit for a chuckle about the frequent questions the inventor's daughter asks.
(3) Calculated for the smallest room unit (under 5200BTU/hr capacity) air conditioner in EPA's Energy Star Rating program for air conditioners. (Several models from Comfort Aire, Crosley or Danby rated best, at 13% better than Federal standards). A large unit (over 20,000BTU/hr) can run up to 2947 watts (Danby Designer DAC10033TW); the most efficient in the Energy Star Program runs at 1834 watts (Admiral AAW-05CR1FHUE).
More on Cooling in TreeHugger:
Hot Summer Nights? Sleep Cool And Cut Electric Bills With a Bedfan
The Rebirth of Cool: 7 Innovations in Air Conditioning.
The Sun Lizard - Solar Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning With Ice Energy - Climate Saving Can Be Cool
More on Personal Cooling Fan from Sleepbreeze:
Sleepbreeze Personal Cooling Fan
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Improve Air Conditioner Efficiency with 9 Cool Tips
- Got Guts? Stand Up to Summer Heat Without Air Conditioning
- How to Use a Solar Oven: Beans and Rice Recipe
- 7 Great Weekend Solar Power Projects
- 7 Low-Tech Ways to Keep Your Bedroom Cool in the Summer Heat
- How to Cool Your Vehicle Quickly During the Intense Summer Heat and Reduce Your Carbon Emissions
Didn't TreeHugger recently run a poll asking what type of posts we'd like to see more of? (Might have been Lifehacker) I'd like to retroactively vote for more posts like these. The comparative analysis of different products gives me information that I can use to make a more informed decision.
Thanks TH
@ saintchuck
I totally second that. Treehugger please give us more of the same.
Thanks for mentioning the Sleepbreeze personal cooler. One thing I would mention is that our cooler can be used pretty much anywhere, and is not just intended for use in bed. For example, we use it on the back of our sofa if it gets too warm.
Backpackers see it as a way of making tents more comfortable - and it takes something to convince them to carry extra gadgets unless they pay off. Our blog has some examples.
Possibly of most significance people are looking at it as a supplement to air conditioning (they can bring the thermostat up, but achieve thermal comfort with a breeze generated by our low energy fan). If that idea takes off then we'd see a significant reduction in the cost and environmental damage caused by air con.
As for our FAQ section, well...if we raise a smile on visitors' faces and brighthen their day as well as giving them a great product then that makes the time and effort that bit more worthwhile.
Finally, we didn't get here without a lot of talented individuals working hard. So, thanks to all of them for their time and effort.
Andy
I'd love to buy a SleepBreeze. My house in New Orleans gets HOT as its a poorly insulated rental home. Keeping the A/C at 80 often sets me back $200/month and I hardly use the lights.
Unfortunately, the SleepBreeze is $93 USD after taxes and shipping. Hope that comes down in price!
Hi, Chad,
Appreciate your comments. Basically with a new product made in relatively small volumes it is tricky to get the price down in the first months untill people start buying in quantity, allowing us to source components in the volumes needed.
However, we are working hard to get the price down, whilst retaining quality and ethical manufacture. We can't offer an immediate price reduction, but watch this space. We're on the case!
Similarly we're also working to remove or substitute components that we could make locally and use less natural resources. That'll make a relatively small impact on price, but a larger impact on the environmental side of our manufacturing process. It's a case of continual process improvement.
Andy
I am sorry the Chillow was not featured. It offers dry, natural cooling without using any power - just the wonderful soothing power of water - without all the sloshing around. Great for sunburns, migraines and a myriad of other relief seeking situations.
Soldiers in Iraq love this product. We just received a huge military honor recently - flag and plaque for our donations there. They REALLY need a good night's rest and have to try to sleep in temps of 105 to 108.
This product is really worth a try as it can help you use less air conditioning. Try the Chillow, ChillowPLUS or mini Chillow.
Hi, all,
Just wanted to follow up on the Sleepbreeze pricing.
We brought the shipping costs down, and of course Sterling has slipped against the US dollar.
The price today is a lot lot lower than back in the summer.
Just $77 including shipping.
All the best and hope to greet you as a customer soon, Andy at Sleepbreeze.co.uk