If you’ve heard friends or colleagues talk about HVLS fans, you’ve probably listened to them brag about how amazing they are.
So what’s all the hype about? What is an HVLS fan? Who uses them? And where can you buy one?
HVLS: High-Volume, Low-Speed
The best place to start when describing an HVLS fan is with its smaller cousin, the standard ceiling fan. In the United States alone, more than 80 million homes have at least one ceiling fan installed. People love them because they provide relief from hot weather for a fraction of the cost of air-conditioning.
While regular ceiling fans work great in small spaces like bedrooms or living rooms, they aren’t powerful enough to have much effect in a large space like a warehouse. Their relatively short blades and compact parts can circulate air up to roughly 75 to 200 square feet (7 to 19 square meters).
In the late 1990s, some brilliant engineers innovated the design of the ceiling fan for use in larger—much larger—spaces. They called this new invention the HVLS fan—a high-volume, low-speed fan.
HVLS fan airfoils are much longer (anywhere from 8 feet to 30 feet in diameter). Although they rotate at a slower speed than standard ceiling fans, they’re capable of circulating a much higher volume of air upwards of 15,000 square feet (roughly 1,400 square meters).
Who Uses HVLS Fans
Since HVLS fans provide such impressive coverage, they tend to be used in large buildings such as warehouses, factory floors, gymnasiums, repair shops, and other industrial facilities.
In these types of environments, people inside are usually working or performing physically demanding tasks. When the weather gets hot, the inside of those buildings gets hot, too. And when it gets sweltering inside, work slows down. Body temperatures rise, brain activity slows, and productivity suffers.
Air-conditioning can help, but it’s also extremely expensive and uses an excessive amount of energy to operate. High-volume, low-speed fans, however, are able to circulate the air using far less energy. The breeze these fans create provides comfortable relief to the folks inside.
Companies that care about the well-being of their staff—while also needing to keep them productive—are primary users of HVLS fans.
Where to Buy HVLS Fans
HVLS fans have exploded in popularity all over the world. While there are several manufacturers producing these specialized fans, one company has become the industry leader: Big Ass Fans.
Big Ass Fans has been pioneering and perfecting HVLS fans for more than 20 years. We offer a range of fans that come with a range of options and features, including technological integration with HVAC, security, and fire suppression systems.
Which fan will work best in your building depends on a variety of factors such as building size, ceiling height, interior layout, and budget. The experts at Big Ass Fans can work with you to find the perfect airflow solution to bring sweet relief to your team.
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