For warehouses or manufacturing plants, HVLS fans can have an enormous effect on both heating and cooling expenses and employee morale.
What Is An HVLS Fan?
An HVLS, fan, short for “High Volume, Low Speed” fan is a massive ceiling mounted fan that spins at comparatively slow speeds and distributes climate controlled air through a space. They are typically added in areas with higher ceilings, such as manufacturing plants, warehouses, and other industrial facilities.
In summer months and warmer climates, these fans can assist with the removal of surplus humidity from the atmosphere by substituting warm, moist air with drier air. In cooler environments, they can also help control temperature by fully circulating heated air throughout a space.
HVLS Fan Size
HVLS fans are a minimum of 7 feet in diameter. Some types can be as much as 24 feet wide, although for almost all commercial applications numerous smaller fans are required. Fan output varies, but nearly all HVLS units are between five eighths and one horsepower.
Although almost all HVLS fans are designed for ceilings, there are some that can be designed to be installed on floor mounted masts.
How Do HVLS Fans Work?
HVLS fans are effective because of their slow velocity and enormous scale. HVLS fans create massive segments of air that move at low speed, in contrast to the rapidly moving, modest air currents that are generated by standard fans. Turbulent, high-speed air current from average fans produces friction against still air and speed quickly dissipates.
When you use an HVLS fan, the massive air columns move at slower speeds and go much further as a result of diminished air friction. For this reason, it requires less electricity to move larger volumes of air at a slower rate than it takes to drive smaller amounts of air at a faster rate.
The differential in power consumption is surprising. Moving air at 6 miles per hour takes nearly 27 times as much energy as moving air at 2 miles per hour. The bottom line is this: you’re much better off running larger fans at very low speeds versus smaller fans at high speeds.
Warehouse HVLS Fan Benefits
Reduce Heating Costs
During the winter months, a single HVLS fan can contribute significantly to energy cost savings.
In large structures, especially those with high ceilings, air naturally stratifies. Warmer air moves toward the ceiling and the cooler air stays near the floor. Heaters must work non-stop to warm the space near the floor, which costs money, while almost all of that warmed air floats up to the ceiling, away from workers.
HVLS fans can move large quantities of warm air down from the ceiling, assisting in recirculation throughout the space, thereby normalizing the environment and enabling the HVAC system to work more efficiently.
Reduce Cooling Costs
While HVLS fans are ideal for balancing heat recirculation in a building, the reverse is also achievable: they can assist with air conditioning during the summer months or in warm climates.
HVLS fans keep air moving around sizable facilities, and this airflow elicits an evaporative cooling effect. Although the fan doesn’t truly change the temperature of the moving air, it will evaporate much of the inherent humidity in the air, establishing a more comfortable environment.
Reduce Environmental Impact
Although saving money on energy costs is a great incentive, there is the added advantage that reducing energy consumption also improves a business’ carbon footprint. Over months and years, HVLS fans can generate substantial reductions in energy use, particularly for enterprises with multiple sites.
Improve Employee Comfort & Productivity
Satisfied employees are typically more effective, so maintaining your facilities at optimal temperatures is beneficial. Several studies have proven a relationship between uncomfortable temperatures and declines in workplace effectiveness.
HVLS Fans For Sale Near Me
If you want to know more about the benefits of HVLS fans for your warehouse or production facility, contact a professional at Welch Equipment today.
