Warehouses and logistics facilities generally encompass massive square footage. They are filled...
Warehouses and logistics facilities generally encompass massive square footage. They are filled with machinery, people, and even light fixtures that all give off heat. These spaces can suffer from climate zones, poor air quality, and uncomfortable temperatures. This can cause both energy inefficiencies and safety concerns for managers to mitigate.
To add insight into High Volume, Low Speed (HVLS) fans and their broad range of advantages for logistic and warehouse facilities, we interviewed subject matter expert Jonathan Jover. In speaking with Mr. Jover, he identifies what he considers 5 key advantages to HVLS ceiling fans as a solution for warehouse cooling:
- HVLS fans are the most efficient air management systems on the market
- There is no rival to an HVLS fan in terms of air management
- HVLS fan energy consumption is very low
- The investment in an HVLS fan is very low compared to other comparable industrial fans
- The lifespan of an HVLS fan is very long
If you are a Warehouse Manager looking at HVLS fans as a solution for your building, there are important features you should examine. Based on our interview with Mr. Jover, we have identified six things you should know about how HVLS fans function in a logistics facility.
1. Raising the Temperature at the Floor
Subject matter expert, Jonathan Jover distributes U.S. made MacroAir fans throughout the world from his location in Spain. Mr. Jover provides insight into the cost-saving benefit of HVLS fans for winter use. One installation example was that of the Madrid Airport. This airport facility suffered from a considerable difference in the temperature at the ceiling than at the floor level. The temperature difference was costing the Madrid Airport a significant amount on their heating and air-conditioning bills. Jover explained how the installation of four HVLS fans proved to be the ideal solution.
“Installing these four HVLS fans raised the winter temperature at the floor by several degrees, providing a significant increase in comfort level for the airport travelers. In addition to the increased comfort level, the HVLS solution for the Madrid airport also provided substantial energy savings over a space of almost 33,000 square feet.”
2. Balance Temperatures
Logistics facilities require speed and pacing. This type of activity and traffic builds heat in a variety of climates. This build-up of heat is especially prevalent in warm summer months when logistic facilities have bays and loading docks open. Open bays and docks easily transfer the heat into the facility. Through the use of HVLS fans, warehouse facilities can destratify the air and blend the heat layers built up from the ceiling down. This mixing of air through a floor jet circulation provides significant cooling and removes trapped heat pockets that are created in large spaces.
3. Reach Unheated Areas
In large facilities with no HVAC systems, Jover recommends the installation of temperature sensors at the ceiling and floor. Since the sun's radiation warms the roof, the air at the ceiling warms much faster than the air at the floor. The temperature sensors allow for the HVLS fans to run on automatic and effectively de-stratify the air, therefore reducing the perceived temperature by 10°F. According to Jover,
"As soon as the automatic temperature sensor jumps over two degrees difference between floor and ceiling, these smart HVLS fans activate themselves and quickly de-stratify the air."
4. No Retrofit Required
HVLS fans require no ductwork. This provides versatility to use the fans as a standalone solution or in conjunction with an existing HVAC system. HVLS fans can move tons of cubic feet of air like a column. They do this with less noise, less turbulence, and less annoyance than a cumbersome HVAC system. As they move the air, they actually change its molecular composition; blending, mixing, and reconfiguring it.
5. Evaporative Options
In many climates, Logistics Facility Managers have relied on exhaust and open windows to stabilize the air. However, humidity takes many shapes. HVAC can try to substitute the air or drain the humidity. Industrial fans work at reducing the perception of temperature by increasing evaporation. The success of HVLS and its evaporative cooling is noted by Jover as he discusses one of his logistic facility installation successes. According to Jover,
"One of our logistic facility clients found our HVLS fans installation over three cents per cubic feet more effective than their HVAC systems running alone."
6. Energy Savings
Finding a cooling solution that is both effective and cost-saving is a major concern for most Warehouse Managers. The ability of HVLS fans to decrease temperatures and run for pennies a day proves an ideal solution for many Facility and Warehouse Managers throughout the world. Industry expert Jonathan Jover touches on this point from his global perspective of the issue in saying,
"I know that HVLS fans are contributing to the energy efficiency of big buildings around the world without sacrificing the comfort of people inside. If installing an HVLS fan means you now only need four air-conditioning units where you once needed five, you are more than paying for the purchase of your HVLS fan."
Conclusion
The cooling needs of a warehouse or logistics facility can vary greatly depending on business operations. To save money on energy, keep occupants happy, and maintain processes and equipment, consider the use of HVLS fans and their return on investment.
Jonathan Jover is an expert with HVLS fan technology and has worked in the industry since 2008. He has a global understanding of HVLS fan solutions working in the past as an international sales representative for MacroAir fans in key regions throughout the world.
