Cooling down your warehouse can be a battle, yet it is essential for reducing heat stress and ensuring employee comfort. One of the most effective solutions is using tough-as-nails industrial fans.
Did you know, by installing High Volume, Low Speed (HVLS) fans, you have the opportunity to boost productivity by up to 14.3%?
When exploring cooling solutions, you’ll find three main categories of fans – overhead, wall, and portable fans, so how do you decide which is best for your facility?
Overhead fans
Overhead fans are an ideal choice for large industrial warehouses or large sheds, providing even coverage and airflow. They cover by far the most coverage of cooling airflow, both in terms of square metres and cubic metres of volume. As they are mounted on the ceiling, overhead fans don’t take up valuable floor space, allowing for unobstructed operations on the ground.
High quality overhead fans, such as the Powerfoil D HVLS fan, have virtually silent operation, are highly energy efficient, and offer stepless variable speed control for a cool breeze you have complete control of. HVLS overhead fans are great for high-ceilinged and large industrial facilities, while smaller commercial HVLS ceiling fans are a good fit for commercial spaces seeking an alternative to air conditioning or to use in conjunction to reduce air-conditioning costs.
There are some limitations to overhead fans. This fan option requires significant clearance, making it unsuitable for low ceilings. Thoughtful placement is also necessary to avoid flickering effects from overhead lighting interacting with fan blades, and to ensure it is complimentary to any other installed HVAC equipment.
Wall Fans
Ideal for smaller spaces or areas with low ceilings and limited floor space, wall mounted fans are an effective directional cooling option. Wall hanging fans tend to come with a lower upfront cost and a more straightforward install. They are particularly good for targeted cooling and can be installed facing machinery that generates heat to help reduce radiant heat.
Though not as portable as standing fans, they can be easily relocated if cooling needs change. The main downside of wall mounted fans is that larger spaces may require multiple fans to achieve adequate airflow, potentially at a higher overall investment and energy consumption than a single HVLS ceiling fan. Wall fans are also noisier than overhead ceiling fans because their blades rotate faster in order to produce the effective cooling windspeed required.
Portable Fans
Commonly referred to as standing fans or floor fans, portable fans are a flexible and easy cooling solution. Requiring no installation, you can simply plug and go, and then easily move based on current cooling needs.
Portable fans do come with a few drawbacks. They provide less airflow than an HVLS ceiling fan and may create ‘fan hogs’ where individuals monopolise the directional airflow. When floor space is limited, portable fans are a challenge – particularly in an industrial setting with lots of activity on the ground. Portable fans also tend to be noisier than HVLS fans, though models such as the Sidekick Floor fan are quieter than most other fans on the market, and these offer a stepless variable speed control for a cooling breeze you control.
When selecting the best fan for your industrial cooling needs, consider your space requirements, ceiling height, budget (for both up-front costs and long-term operation) and determine whether you need widespread airflow or targeted cooling. Overhead fans are best for large spaces with high ceilings, wall fans provide an easy option for cooling smaller spaces, while portable fans offer convenient, directional cooling.
For assistance choosing the right fan for your specific requirements, you can contact our team at customerservice@jetblackfans.co.nz or give us a call on 09 217 6801
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