Barndo Heating/Cooling Problems Solved with Smart Airflow

Barndominiums, or "Barndos," have become increasingly popular because of their spacious interiors, unique charm, and cost-effective construction. Often repurposed from old barns or ranch buildings, these large metal-framed structures offer wide-open living areas with tall ceilings and minimal interior walls. While beautiful and versatile, barndominiums can pose a major challenge when it comes to maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and climate..

At MacroAir, we are proud to partner with Stacee Lynn and The Barndominium Company, an industry leader that sets the gold standard for everything barndo-related. Known as “The Barndominium Lady™", Stacee Lynn is the founder and CEO behind this innovative brand, offering expert insight, custom building plans, design trends, and a wealth of resources for barndominium enthusiasts. MacroAir is her exclusive big fan endorsement! With over 25 years of experience mastering airflow in large, open environments, such as barndos, industrial, and commercial facilities, MacroAir is uniquely positioned to bring that same technology into the barndominium lifestyle. As the inventors of the HVLS (High Volume, Low Speed) fan, we understand the unique air circulation needs of wide-open spaces, and we are dedicated to helping barndominium owners stay comfortable with efficient airflow all year long. 

Why Airflow Matters in a Barndominium

Barndominiums are known for their wide-open layouts and towering ceilings, which are great for flexibility and aesthetics, but not so great for air circulation. Without walls and low ceilings to guide airflow, hot or cold air tends to stratify, or naturally separate into layers based on temperature, with warm air rising to the ceiling, while cooler air stays near the floor. Unlike traditional homes with standard ceiling heights and smaller rooms, barndominiums present unique challenges for effective heat transfer and temperature regulation. This makes your living space uncomfortable, and your HVAC system works overtime, which can be expensive.

Common problems include:

• Hot, stuffy air in the summer
• Cold, uneven temperatures in the winter
• Inefficient heating and cooling systems
• Higher-than-expected energy bills and operating costs

While insulation plays a big role in thermal regulation, proper airflow is critical to maintaining comfort and controlling energy costs.

Why Smart Airflow is Essential

A well-designed airflow system can dramatically improve the performance of your HVAC, reduce energy use, and keep your living space comfortable in all seasons. That’s where MacroAir HVLS ceiling fans shine.

How MacroAir HVLS Fans Solve the Problem:

• Even Temperature Distribution: MacroAir’s large fans gently mix the air, eliminating hot and cold spots by circulating air from floor to ceiling. This efficient transfer of heat ensures that warm air doesn't remain trapped at ceiling level in winter.
• Energy Savings: HVLS fans reduce the workload on your HVAC system, often cutting energy usage by up to 30%.
• Year-Round Comfort: Run the fans counterclockwise in summer to create a cooling breeze, and clockwise in winter to recirculate warm air.
• Quiet Operation: Engineered for performance and peace, our fans are whisper-quiet and require minimal maintenance.

With MacroAir fans, you get engineered comfort backed by decades of experience solving airflow challenges in large open spaces.

Are Barndominiums Energy Efficient?

They can be - but only with the right systems in place. Barndominiums have the potential to be extremely energy-efficient when built on existing structures, combined with proper insulation and high-performance airflow solutions like HVLS fans.

Energy efficiency starts with:

• Proper insulation (fiberglass + foam recommended) that exceeds what might be typical in traditional homes
• Airtight windows and doors
• Smart airflow circulation with large ceiling fans

With these elements, you can significantly reduce energy usage while improving indoor air quality and comfort.

Heating a Barndominium

When it comes to keeping your barndo warm in the colder months, several heating solution options are available, each with its own pros and cons.

1. Furnace

Furnaces are by far the most conventional heating systems for barndominium owners—but they aren’t always the most energy-efficient option. These systems use either gas or electricity to create heated air, which is then pumped through the home’s ductwork.

Older furnaces tend to be less efficient, but modern gas-powered models have made significant improvements. Today’s high-efficiency furnaces can greatly reduce heating costs and help lower your carbon footprint.

There’s a reason furnaces remain the most popular way to heat homes: they’re reliable, effective, and proven to get the job done.

2. Heat Pump

Heat pumps are a more energy-efficient option for your barndominium compared to furnaces. Like furnaces, they generate heat and distribute warm air through your home’s ductwork.

However, the key difference is that heat pumps can also work in reverse, extracting warm air from inside your home and pushing it outside during warmer months. This dual functionality makes heat pumps a great choice if you live in a region where cooling is just as important as heating.

The only drawback is the higher upfront cost compared to a traditional furnace. That said, heat pumps can significantly reduce your monthly energy bills over time, making them a smart long-term investment.

3. Radiant Heating

Radiant heating systems can be one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your barndominium, especially when compared to furnaces and heat pumps. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with seasonal allergies, as radiant systems don’t circulate air—and with it, allergens—throughout the home.

Radiant floor heat also retains warmth more effectively. These systems are typically installed beneath floorboards, behind walls, or in ceilings, and distribute heat similarly to how an oven radiates warmth throughout a kitchen.

While radiant heating is among the most energy-efficient options available, it also comes with one of the highest upfront costs. Some barndominium designs incorporate radiant heating from the beginning stages of planning to maximize efficiency and comfort.

Pairing any of these systems with MacroAir HVLS fans will help spread heat evenly throughout the space, eliminating cold zones and helping to save on heating costs.

Cooling a Barndominium

Cooling a wide-open space like a barndo can be challenging, especially with high ceilings that trap heat.

1. Central Air

Possibly the most common cooling system for your barndominium is a central air conditioning (AC) system. Central ACs can be paired with furnaces or heat pump systems to provide both heating and cooling, which is a big plus.

However, central air can come with a high upfront cost due to the installation of air ducts. Once installed, though, it’s an efficient option that allows for customizable indoor temperature settings throughout your home.

One major drawback is that running central AC during the hot summer months can become quite expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to decrease your air conditioning bills during those months.

2. Room Air Conditioners

Similar to central AC systems, single-room air conditioners can be very effective at cooling small spaces like bedrooms, offices, or compact living rooms. However, they’re likely not the best option for cooling your entire home.

One major benefit of investing in single-room AC units is their affordability and ease of installation, which typically requires only minor labor. Additionally, these units often come with adjustable remote controls, allowing you to operate them only when and where needed, helping you save money on energy costs.

3. Thermally Driven Coolers

One of the newest types of HVAC systems for cooling your barndo is the thermally driven cooling system. Unlike traditional systems, it runs on solar and/or gas power rather than electricity, significantly reducing the amount of energy needed to cool your home. This can save you a substantial amount of money in the short term.

However, in the long term, investing in a thermally driven cooling system can be costly, mainly because it requires solar panels to harness solar energy as the primary power source. On the upside, these systems can operate on either solar or gas power, so even on cloudy days, your home stays cool!

Whatever system you choose, airflow remains essential. MacroAir HVLS fans work in tandem with any of the above cooling systems, helping reduce the need for constant AC use and lowering your utility bills in the process.

Large Ceiling Fans in Your Barndominium

MacroAir HVLS fans were invented to keep livestock comfortable in barns, but they’ve evolved into sleek, quiet, high-tech solutions perfect for residential settings like barndominiums.

Benefits include:

• Cooling effect in summer
• Recirculating heat in winter
• Quiet, low-maintenance operation
• Energy savings all year long

By keeping the air moving, these fans allow your HVAC system to work less and your space to feel better.

Why HVLS Fans Are Perfect for Barndominiums

Barndominiums are known for their wide-open layouts and soaring ceilings - features that make them feel spacious and unique. But these same characteristics can also present serious airflow challenges. Unlike traditional homes, barndominiums require specialized climate control approaches. Traditional HVAC systems often struggle to evenly distribute air in such large volumes, leading to hot and cold spots, wasted energy, and higher utility bills.

That’s where High Volume, Low Speed (HVLS) fans come in.

What Are HVLS Fans?

HVLS fans are large-diameter ceiling fans (up to 24 feet wide) that move massive amounts of air at low speeds. Originally developed for agricultural and industrial use, they’re now a smart, stylish solution for modern homes like barndominiums.

How Large Fans Help in Barndos

• Year-Round Comfort
  In the summer, HVLS fans create a cooling breeze that makes your space feel up to 10°F cooler. In the winter, simply reverse the fan’s direction to gently push warm air down from the ceiling, reducing the load on your heating system. This efficient transfer of heat makes it easier to stay warm in open spaces without cranking up the thermostat.
• Even Air Distribution
  No more stuffy lofts or chilly corners. HVLS fans move air consistently throughout the entire space, even in open-concept areas, tall ceilings, or second-story lofts - balancing both cool and warm air for total comfort.This is especially important in larger barndominiums where temperature differences between floors can be extreme.
• Energy Efficiency
  By working alongside your HVAC system, HVLS fans help maintain comfortable temperatures without forcing your furnace or AC to work overtime. The result? Lower energy bills, reduced strain on equipment, and a more even temperature throughout the space.
• Quiet Performance
  Unlike industrial-style fans that can be noisy or distracting, MacroAir direct-drive HVLS fans are engineered for quiet, smooth operation, perfect for residential environments.

Fan Placement Tips for Barndominiums

To maximize airflow and energy efficiency, proper fan placement is key. Here are some tips:

• Center it up: Install fans in the center of large open rooms or living areas to ensure optimal coverage.
• Mind the height: For high ceilings, mount the fan around 10-15 feet above the floor. MacroAir’s downrods can be adjusted for ideal airflow.
• Use multiple fans for large areas: One large fan might not be enough. For larger barndominiums with complex layouts, consider a few well-placed fans to cover the entire living area.
• Pair with ventilation: Ceiling fans work best when there’s proper ventilation to help exchange air with the outdoors or circulate with HVAC systems.

Different barndominium designs will require custom fan placement strategies. For open-concept great rooms with cathedral ceilings, a central fan may be sufficient, while L-shaped or multi-level barndominiums may require multiple fans strategically positioned.

When in doubt, reach out to our experts. We’ll help you plan the perfect fan setup for your space.

Top Ceiling Fans for Barndominiums

Looking for the perfect ceiling fan to keep your barndominium cool, comfortable, and stylish? MacroAir has you covered with these top-performing options:

AVD370

With sized ranging from 6-12 feet, the stylish AVD370 ceiling fan delivers serious airflow, making it ideal for the large, open spaces common in barndominiums. With its sleek design and quiet operation, the AVD370 enhances comfort while maintaining a clean, industrial-modern look. Standard colors: silver and matte black.

Lincoln Street

Designed specifically for residential spaces, the Lincoln Street ceiling fan brings the engineering of a commercial-grade ceiling fan into your home. Available in 62”, 72”, and 84” sizes, Lincoln Street is perfect for living areas, kitchens, or covered patios, offering whisper-quiet performance and a variety of blade and hardware finishes to match your evolving style. Standard colors: white, black, wood grain, and graphite.

Final Thoughts

Comfort in a barndominium isn’t just about heating and cooling, it’s about how effectively air moves throughout your space. MacroAir’s large ceiling fans are specifically designed to work with or without your existing HVAC system, making them a smart solution for the unique heating and cooling challenges of barndominiums. By dramatically improving airflow and ventilation, our fans help maintain consistent temperatures, reduce energy costs, and unlock the full comfort potential of your barndo, no matter the season.

Need help choosing the right fan for your Barndo? Reach out today! We’d love to help you bring comfort and efficiency to your unique home.

Free Download: Barndominium Heating & Cooling Tips. Get our free guide with insulation and sealing tips, fan placement recommendations, and heating & cooling tip for barndo living.