Choosing the Best Fans for a Warehouse

Warehouses are simply too big to run climate control systems that require massive energy and equipment costs, but they need the ability to stay cool to protect personnel, product, and equipment. 

Choosing the right warehouse fan is essential for an efficient working space. This guide will help you understand the benefits and types of warehouse fans that are available.

3 Benefits of Warehouse Fans

There are several ways your warehouse can benefit from selecting the best fan or cooling equipment.

1. Energy Efficiency

Fans, specifically HVLS fans, are excellent at energy efficiency as their large blades don’t need to spin fast to move significant volumes of air. In general, compared to traditional HVAC systems, warehouse fans require far less energy to operate and therefore meet demands to curtail excessive energy usage.

2. Improved Personnel Well-Being

Warehouses can be hot and stuffy, especially in spring and summer months. They are also big, so the idea of running air-conditioning just isn’t practical. Warehouse fans can move large volumes of air, resulting in a cool environment for workers. Not only does this mean happier employees, but employees who are more efficient at their tasks.

3. Reduced Costs

The large size of warehouses means larger utility bills, too. With traditional climate control systems, energy costs would be extraordinary. Relying on fans instead dramatically lowers costs that can be routed to other areas of the business. 

Considerations for Choosing a Cooling Fan for a Warehouse

Goals

First decide what you need. How much cooling are you looking to provide? Typically this is either a desire to cool an entire space generally or a specific area.

Costs

Warehouse fans aren’t exactly cheap, but these costs must be weighed against the benefits. This overall cost is significantly less than running traditional HVAC systems and the energy they require. The costs also need to be considered in relation to improved work performance by providing an improved atmosphere for personnel.

Building Specifications

Depending on the specifications of your building, certain fans will work better than others. For example, a large, open-air facility looking to provide general cooling would benefit from HVLS fans. If your facility is smaller with lower ceilings, directional fans will be more effective and efficient than HVLS fans.

Noise

Warehouse fans need to be selected for quality in order to not introduce unwanted noise. After all, the goal is to provide an improved workspace environment for personnel to be more efficient.

6 Different Types of Warehouse Fans

Choosing a warehouse fan is dependent on your building’s needs and available space. TBC Supply has a solution for any size warehouse.

1. HVLS Fans

High-volume, low speed (HVLS) fans are the go-to warehouse fan to provide powerful cooling from one simple device. Because of their significant wingspan - typically 6 to 24 feet in diameter - these fans are able to move significant amounts of air at low speeds. 

HVLS fans are outstanding in large warehouses with tall ceilings to solve the temperature differential between ceiling and floor and transmute it into a cooling effect without the need for traditional climate control systems.

2. Directional Fans

Directional fans are smaller than HVLS fans providing a solution when space is limited. These can be wall mounted or mobile depending on the need and are typically useful in warehouses in situations where only specific areas need cooling. 

3. Roof Exhaust/Supply Fans

Part of great air flow and ensuing cooling capabilities means proper ventilation. Roof exhaust and supply fans work to exhaust stale, hot air as well as supply fresh air to facilities from which interior HVLS and/or directional fans can use. 

Fresh air is just as important as cool air, and keeping a warehouse ventilated is a key goal for many situations.

4. Shutter Fans

Depending on the specifications and layout of your building, wall-mounted shutter fans might be the ideal solution for ventilation as opposed to roof exhaust and supply fans. These fans are mounted onto walls to provide the same ventilation needs as roof-mounted fans, moving air in and out to keep it fresh. 

5. Evaporative Coolers

Evaporative coolers are an energy-saving solution for quick spot-cooling. They use water evaporation to cool spaces with lower energy usage. Depending on the unit you choose, it can cool a space up to 6,500 square feet by around 30 degrees. You can also add multiple units for larger spaces.

6. Curtain Fans

Curtain fans are mounted above doorways to create an air seal that keeps conditioned air in the building while blocking outside dust, dirt and insects. 

TBC Supply Carries the Highest Quality Warehouse Fans on the Market

If you’re looking to cool your building, TBC Supply is your destination for the best warehouse fans on the market. From top-of-the-line HVLS fans to directional fans, and ventilating fans, we work to make sure you have the right fan for your specific application.