One of the first questions people usually ask about industrial fans is, “How much do they cost?”
They’ve probably visited their local hardware store and purchased a ceiling fan or two for their home. Depending on their budget, they likely spent anywhere between $150 and $300 for a fan for their kids’ bedroom. Maybe they splurged and bought a high-quality fan for upwards of $1,800.
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But when they learn how much industrial ceiling fans cost, they’re often surprised. Why do industrial fans cost so much more? Are they worth the investment?
What Factors Influence Industrial Fan Cost?
Like most other motorized products, numerous factors play a part in determining the cost of an industrial fan.
Size
Industrial fans are bigger—WAY bigger—than residential fans. A ceiling fan in your home will be three to seven feet (1 to 2 meters) in diameter, but an industrial fan ranges anywhere from 8 feet to 30 feet (2.4 to 9.1 meters) in diameter. That’s huge. Aside from using more material, a fan that size also requires additional parts for its operation.
Safety Features
Because of their sheer size and weight, industrial fans require more extensive safety features to ensure they stay in place and hold together during operation. Big Ass Fans manufactures industrial fans with redundant safety features to guarantee safe and secure operation.
Industrial-Grade Parts
Industrial environments can be harsh. Factories and warehouse facilities can be extremely hot, dusty, humid, and greasy. To ensure their optimal operation, industrial fans need higher quality, more durable parts than the fan in your bedroom. These “industrial-grade” parts use materials that are heavy-duty in nature, designed to be nearly indestructible through regular use.
Motors
Rotating massive airfoils for endless hours requires a tough and powerful motor. The motor in your home’s ceiling fan would barely cause industrial blades to budge. A bigger, better motor is an absolute necessity for industrial fans, and they’re more expensive to make.
Longevity & Durability
When a company invests in an industrial fan, they should expect it to last for decades. With proper care and service, it’s not unreasonable to expect an industrial fan to last a lifetime. Building a heavy-duty fan that can operate for years on end necessitates higher quality parts with a higher price tag.
Service & Support
While industrial fans are manufactured to be durable and last a long, long time, they do need to be taken care of. If you want an investment like a car or computer to last as long as possible, you’ll get them serviced periodically to ensure they’re in prime working condition. The same goes for industrial fans; they’ll last longer and operate more efficiently with proper service … which costs money.
Warranty
How much a manufacturer promises to cover the repairs and parts of an industrial fan will affect its cost as well. Many makers offer minimal warranties (one or two years), while others such as Big Ass Fans provide warranties up to 15 years. The length of a warranty will also affect the cost of an industrial fan.
Technology
Industrial warehouse fans come with high-tech features that provide a host of benefits such as programmability, integration with other systems such as HVAC or fire suppression, and monitoring performance. These features add to the cost of an industrial fan.
Customization
Residential fans tend to follow a “one size fits all” approach to their features and functions. But industrial users have more complex requirements to make a fan fit their needs. This demands a more customized approach to manufacturing fans specifically for each buyer, which increases the cost.
Options
As with many products these days, industrial fans offer a variety of options to meet the specific needs of each buyer. Whether it’s security features, add-on features such as airfoil tips, or custom paint, any option will raise the price of an industrial fan.
Why Industrial Fans Cost More
An industrial fan costs more than standard fans in much the same way industrial refrigerators cost more than the fridge in your kitchen: they’re bigger, more powerful, more technically complex, and are made with industrial-grade parts and materials.
Technically speaking, products are considered “industrial” when they’re used in the manufacture of other products. Companies buy industrial goods because they need them; they’re a rational purchase, not an emotional one.
Industrial fans cost more for all the same reasons. They’re an investment in equipment that helps businesses be more efficient and productive. Business managers know that industrial machinery—including fans—comes with a return on investment. They’re worth buying and paying more because of the tangible value they offer over the long term.
How Much Does An Industrial Fan Cost You?
So, how much does an industrial fan really cost? The range of prices for an industrial fan is $3,000 to $15,000. That’s quite a range, and considering all of the factors listed above, it’s easy to see how the price can vary.
The important thing to remember is buying an industrial fan is an investment with valuable benefits. Companies invest in industrial fans for a variety of reasons:
- To ensure the comfort, safety, and well-being of their employees
- To boost productivity and accuracy (which positively affects their bottom line)
- To provide a more energy-efficient option that’s more affordable than AC
You can find out exactly how much it would be to invest in an industrial fan by contacting one of our airflow experts. We can provide a complimentary “airflow analysis” of your building and show you how an industrial fan is worth the investment.
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