Are cathedral ceilings in rooms bad for effiency in heating cooling?

Cathedral ceilings can lead to a bit more heat loss, but they will also make smaller spaces feel bigger, which can in return lead to smaller buildings with material and energy savings. So there is not really a definitive answer as to how they impact energy efficiency.

The thing about a cathedral ceiling is that heat will collect up high, which will increase the temperature differential between inside and out and in turn increase the rate of heat loss. But there are a few ways to mitigate that. The biggest way would be to opt for radiant floor heat, as it is warmer at floor level than ceiling height, so you significantly reduce the effect of heat collecting up high.

But if you go for forced air or baseboard heaters for example, incorporating ceiling fans will bring that heat back down. In any case, an airtight and well-insulated building envelope is essential for saving energy and saving money. Here is a page about energy efficient and comfortable home design that will help a lot –

How to design a home for energy efficiency and comfort

Personally speaking, I have 17-foot high cathedral ceilings in the great room of my home and it is heated with a radiant floor. It’s a south facing wall with windows up high, so it is bright and it collects a lot of heat, but is also shaded to prevent over heating in summer. The high ceilings make a fairly compact space (500 square feet) feel spacious even for a kitchen/living room/dining room.

If you feel drawn towards a cathedral ceiling I would say go for it as you can make adjustments where needed to make it as efficient as possible.

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