As the temperatures around Australia start to drop this might seem a strange choice to many for the topic of a blog entry. But some among you, dear readers, are big fans of… well, fans. Even as we get well into Autumn. Even with Winter on the horizon. The blades of some hum all year round.
Long baffled by this behaviour I set out to find as many pros and cons as I could, to better understand some of my fan-tastic friends and family. So, in this blog entry I will ask and hopefully answer a simple question: what are the pros and cons of sleeping with the fan on? What is fan fact and what is fan fiction? Zeek and you shall find.
PROS
Cooling Down
Perhaps the most obvious reason, at least in Summer, to use a fan is for the cost-effective cooling effect it can have on your room (and yourself). A slightly cool body temperature is heavily linked to a good night’s rest and fans can certainly help you achieve that goal.
Pssst, If you’re a hot sleeper, we also happen to have the perfect pillows and mattresses just for you! Try our award-winning Hybrid Mattress or excellent Cool Pillow to beat the Summers sweats.
White Noise
The main reason some are prone to using a fan all year round regardless of the temperature—white noise. While most fans don’t specifically produce it, their consistent humming can get pretty close. There are numerous studies showing that white noise can help people not only get to sleep quicker but stay deeper in sleep for overall better sleep quality. This white noise can also help mask other environmental noises that may be more disrupting such as crickets, a creaky bed, snoring partners, or children.
Stuffiness
Some rooms just don’t know how to breath. The air gets stuffy and imposing and some good air circulation is the only way to make it pleasant enough to get some Z’s. Quite the opposite of our very breathable mattresses, jus' saying.
CONS
Circulating Dust & Pollen
Fan blades are (unfortunately) very good at collecting dust and pollen and then sending it in your general direction. If you’re prone to allergies this may be a big reason to avoid sleeping with a fan on altogether. For the stubborn allergy sufferers among you, regular cleaning of the blades and adding an air filter to your room may help alleviate this concern.
Dry Eyes & Skin
Nightly air baths might feel nice, but it can dry out your skin and eyes quite dramatically in the long run with consistent use. To help counter this, especially if you’re already prone to dry skin, consider daily applications of moisturizer and perhaps positioning the fan farther away from you, or at an angle that isn’t blowing directly onto your face.
Stiff Muscles
Don’t discard this as an old wives’ tale. Blasts of cool air have been found to lead to stiff, sore muscles. If you have a fan aimed at your face all night it can easily lead to waking up with a stiff neck. So, if you’re prone to muscle stiffness, perhaps a fan isn’t your best option.
Broken Sleep
While some may be calmed by the white noise-like effects of the right fan, others will have the opposite reaction—waking up more often and having more broken sleep. If you’re suffering with poor sleep lately, and you’re in the pro-fan group, consider going without it for a week to see if that’s become an issue.
MYTHS
Power Consumption
I was personally quite surprised to find out how little electricity the average fan uses over the course of a year. Even if you’re running your beloved fan all night long, every single night, you’re only looking at about $31 to $57 for an entire year of usage, or somewhere in the neighbourhood of 115 kWh’s.
Bonus tidbit time—did you know a ceiling fan uses almost half the electricity of a box or tower fan on average? Wild! So, if you want to keep the flow but also be a bit more environmentally friendly and save some dollarydoos, invest in a ceiling fan.
Fan Death
Some believe this myth started from a 1970s campaign to conserve electricity, but whatever the case, it’s somewhat common Korean folklore that a fan can kill you in your sleep. However, while there’s largely no evidence for killer fans some health professionals do caution the use of fans in enclosed rooms on humid days hotter than 35c. This is because these conditions make it more difficult for the body to lose heat via sweat, increasing your chances of heatstroke and other heat related issues.
FAREWELL
That about wraps it up, no need for fanfare. Ultimately, like most things in life, it seems whether you should or shouldn't have the fan on all night depends on your needs. Hopefully this handy little list sets you on the right path to better sleep!
Are you a fan? Why not check out our Instagram and add to the discussion! Or check out some more great tips & tricks right here on Zeek.
