All You Need to Know About HVLS Fans

HVLS fans, also known as high volume, low speed fans, have become quite popular recently because of their unique design, which allows them to move a large amount of air at low speed. They also use less energy and are easier on the environment than traditional fans, so many companies and organizations are moving toward using them in their spaces. But how do you know if you should use a HVLS ceiling fan in your own organization? Here’s what you need to know about these innovative fans, including who they are most useful for and why you should invest in them right away.

Size of HVLS Fans

The physical size of an HVLS fan varies, but it is typically larger than a box fan. The size can range from 7ft to 30 ft generally. The largest fans can be up to 55 feet in diameter and weigh over 60,000 pounds! Depending on your needs, you may only need a smaller model. An example of a popular small-to-medium sized model would be a 30-foot HVLS fan with two blades. This size of the fan is commonly used in warehouses and factories. For residential use, smaller models are available too.

Airflow of HVLS Fans

Airflow is the most important difference between residential and HVLS fans. Hvls ceiling fans circulate more air and push more oxygen through higher-ceiling, larger spaces, in part because their blades are taller and cover a wider circumference than other types of fan blades. These blades create the impression of standing in a space and enjoying the feel of gentle waves crashing against your body. The cooling power is incomparable, producing a soft breeze-like sensation that cools you down as much as 10 to 12 degrees.

Rather than small standing fans, residential ceiling fans blow air quickly at a high speed downward, creating a cooling wind-chill effect, which can reduce the temperature by about 8 to 10 degrees. To measure the air being moved, you need to look at cubic feet per minute. This figure tells you the volume of air moving through the fan each minute. One residential fan can produce up to 29,000 CFM, whereas one hvls ceiling fan can produce around 140,000 CFM. It demonstrates how a single HVLS fan can replace a residential fan. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, which can be equated to volume in other terms. It is important to be sure that the fan has a high enough CFM.

Speed of HVLS Fans

Although all large fans move air, there are differences in how quickly they can do so. The fan’s size is important, but it isn’t everything. While a larger fan will be able to push more air than a smaller one, its blades may need to spin faster in order for it to move an equal amount of air. The speed of a motor (measured in revolutions per minute or RPM) affects how fast its blades can spin, and thus how much air they can move.

Difference between HVLS fans and Traditional Fans

Number of fan blades

The cost per unit is higher with a traditional fan but lower with HVLS fans. For example, if you have 9000 sq ft to cover with a traditional fan, you would need ten of them to cover the entire area while only four HVLS fans will cover the same area. If you were to do the same with traditional fans, you would need over 300 of them. For the same amount of space with air displacement devices, 6 will suffice. However, if you use HVLS fans, which are most powerful but run at a slower speed, then you will only need a few units.

Energy Consumption

To offer sufficient air flow to a large area, you will hundreds of traditional fans, but if you go with HVLS fans, your work will be done with just a few. In this way, you will be able to save a lot of energy and cost on bills.

Noise

If you install traditional fans, be prepared to be annoyed with the constant noise coming from the fan. But this issue can be well taken care of with HVLS fans.

Maintenance

HVLS fans require less maintenance compared to traditional fans.

Life

HVLS fans have more durability than traditional fans. If used properly, HVLS fans can last more than 10 years. While, with traditional fans you only get a maximum life of five years.

Airflow

HVLS fans offer tridimensional flow that is enough to provide air to each corner of the room. But traditional fans do not have such capacity and can only offer volume to a small area.