What Is An HVLS Fan?

An HVLS, fan, short for “High Volume, Low Speed” fan is a very large diameter ceiling mounted fan that spins at comparatively slow speeds and moves climate controlled air throughout a room. They are commonly added in areas with high ceilings, such as factories, warehouses, and other industrial operations.

In summer months and warmer climates, these types of fans can help remove surplus humidity from the atmosphere by supplanting warm, damp air with drier air. During the winter, they can also help control indoor ambient temperature by fully distributing heated air throughout a facility.

HVLS Fan Size

HVLS fans are not less than 7 feet in diameter. Some fans can be as large as 24 feet across, although for most commercial configurations several smaller fans are required. Fan output varies, but most are between five eighths and one horsepower.

Though most HVLS fans are designed for ceilings, some can be set up to be installed on floor mounted poles.

How Do HVLS Fans Work?

An HVLS fan’s effectiveness is due to its slow velocity and enormous scale. HVLS fans produce large columns of air that move slowly, in contrast to the rapidly moving, smaller air currents that are created by conventional fans. Turbulent, accelerated airflow from average fans creates friction against still air and speed rapidly dissipates.

With large-scale fans, the bigger air currents travel more gradually and go much further because there is far less air friction. For this reason, it requires less electricity to larger portions of air at a slower rate than it takes to drive lesser volumes of air at a faster speed.

The disparity in energy usage is remarkable. 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 a 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 rises toward the ceiling and the cooler air stays near the floor. Heaters must work furiously to warm the area near the floor, which costs money, while almost all of that warm air floats up toward the ceiling, away from workers.

Using an HVLS fan pulls a large volume of heated air down from the ceiling, assisting in recirculation throughout the building, thereby balancing the interior climate and lightening the load of the HVAC system.

Reduce Cooling Costs

Although HVLS fans are ideal for maintaining heat in a building, the reverse is also true: they can assist with air conditioning in the summertime or in warm climates.

HVLS fans keep air moving around large areas, and this circulation elicits an evaporative cooling response. While the fan doesn’t actually alter the temperature of the moving air, it will naturally evaporate moisture in the air, creating a more pleasant environment.

Reduce Environmental Impact

While reducing energy costs is a great reason to consider HVLS fans, there is the extra bonus that reducing energy usage also improves a business’ carbon footprint. Over months and years, HVLS fans can provide meaningful reductions in energy use, especially for enterprises with many locations.

Enhance Employee Morale & Productivity

Content workers are typically more productive, so keeping your facilities at optimal temperatures is profitable. Numerous studies have shown a relationship between uncomfortable temperatures and reductions in productivity.

HVLS Fans For Sale Near Me

If you’d like to learn more about the advantages of HVLS fans for your warehouse or production facility, call a material handling expert at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Santa Barbara County service area includes Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Santa Barbara Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Santa Barbara County, CA
(805) 749-2777

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