Comprehensive Guide to HVLS Fans' Affect on AC Bills

AC bills can easily get out of hand when managing warehouses or other similarly spacious structures. That’s because the sheer volume of these facilities makes it hard for even the most efficient cooling systems to quickly regulate temperatures, especially during hot and humid weather conditions. Factor in other variables like workers coming in and out of the structure, thus letting cooler air escape from the structure, and it’s easy to see how warehouse AC bills can become a major concern.

The most efficient way to regulate temperatures inside large structures like warehouses is by using HVLS fans. These energy efficient cooling systems are able to move large volumes of air, creating a soothing breeze inside your structure. These HVLS systems have been found to be effective in various climates around the world, leading to some warehouse managers electing to give up on their AC systems and rely solely on HVLS fans to keep workers cool and comfortable during the warmer months.

Determine How Many HVLS Fans You Need
Once you have decided it’s time to install a more efficient cooling solution in your warehouse, the first thing you need to do is figure out how many fans you’ll need to keep workers comfortable throughout the year. You will also need to figure out the best areas to place these fans for maximum air circulation inside the building.

Some HVLS fan manufacturers offer cutting-edge tools like AirViz, that allow facilities managers to precisely evaluate their particular facilities needs by using computer simulations. These simulations are so detailed, they can even project how much lower your AC bills will be once an HVLS fan is installed.

Cooling expert Jim Doe explains, "Our system essentially shows facility managers exactly what it's going to look like in terms of try before you buy, except it's done via this computer generated computational flow dynamics output that we can create. Which shows them exactly how that fan is going to function within the space. It'll show the average velocities coming off the fan.”

Once you figure out the number of fans you’ll need to keep your warehouse cool, it’s a matter of calculating how much your initial investment will save you down the road. Many warehouse managers that add HVLS fans to their cooling systems report paying off the initial investment with their energy savings, as early as four months after fans were installed. You don’t have to be a genius to figure out how much these fans can save you over several years.

One thing is for sure, most who decide to install HVLS fans in their warehouse are typically quite pleased with their decision, generally as soon as an hour after the fans are installed.

“I work in projects all over the world,” Doe added. “In Korea, Singapore, and many other places, HLVS fans are becoming the primary cooling systems in warehouse-style facilities. Folks are embracing these fans because they are the most efficient cooling systems around. Air conditioners are becoming increasingly rare in many of these places."