Effect of Ceiling Fans on Core Temperature in Bed‐Resting Older Adults Exposed to Indoor Overheating

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BACKGROUND: Rising global temperatures have increased indoor overheating risks, posing significant health threats to vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. While electric fans are recommended for cooling at temperatures up to 40°C, the efficacy of ceiling fans in very warm indoor temperatures (~31°C) remains understudied. This randomized study evaluated the efficacy of ceiling fans in reducing core temperature and cardiovascular strain among bed-resting adults exposed to simulated indoor overheating (31°C, 45% relative humidity) for 8 h. METHODS: Twenty participants (12 females, median [IQR] age: 71 [68-73] years) underwent two experimental exposures with a ceiling fan set at either 0 m/s (control) or ~1.5 m/s (fan condition). RESULTS: The primary outcome, peak core temperature, was significantly lowered by 0.2 [95% CI: 0.1-0.3]°C (0.4 [0.2-0.5]°F, p < 0.001) with fan use (mean [SD]) 37.6 [0.2]°C (99.7 [0.4]°F); +0.9 [0.3]°C (+1.6 [0.5]°F) vs. pre-exposure) compared to control (37.8 [0.2]°C (100.0 [0.4]°F); +1.1 [0.5]°C (+2.0 [0.9]°F) vs. pre-exposure). Secondary outcomes, including core temperature area under the curve, peak and end-exposure heart rate, fluid consumption, and thermal discomfort, were also reduced significantly with fan use. Despite these improvements, fan use did not completely ameliorate heat-induced physiological strain. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that while ceiling fans significantly reduce heat-related physiological strain under the conditions tested, they are not wholly efficacious as standalone cooling solutions. A combined "fan-first" approach, integrating fans with ambient cooling strategies, may enhance heat-health protection in older adults. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT06142890.

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