The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Agricultural Ceiling Fans

Anyone in the agricultural field who manages livestock will tell you that ceiling fans are essential equipment in barns and other areas where animals are housed. It's not only about keeping animals comfortable; there are many health reasons for installing industrial ceiling fans in barns.

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In this Buying Guide for Barn Ceiling Fans, we'll cover everything you need to know about adding fans to your building. We'll discuss the benefits of ceiling fans for large barns, as well as the different types and sizes to help you determine the best barn ceiling fans for your needs.

Ceiling Fans for Large Barns Combat Heat Stress and Other Conditions

Moderate to severe animal heat stress occurs when temperatures range from 80°F to 90°F with high humidity levels. According to the USA Regenerative Agricultural Alliance, Inc. (USARA), this can cause significant physiological stress to your animals, leading to increased respiration rates and body temperatures.

Heat stress in dairy cattle may lead to decreased feed intake, lower milk production, and reproductive issues. For instance, a cow's milk production can decrease by up to 2.5 pounds per head per day under mild heat stress and by more than 10 pounds per head per day under severe heat stress.

Other conditions brought on by poorly circulated air include the buildup of harmful gasses like ammonia and environmental factors such as dust, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. And let's not forget about the flies and other pests that can stress out your animals.

The solution is installing industrial fans for barns. HVLS ceiling fans and other air circulators can provide a quiet, comfortable environment for your animals to thrive in.

Best Barn Ceiling Fans

Configuring your barn for the best airflow coverage will depend on several factors, such as the size of your building, the number of animals it houses, and whether you have one large open space or several small areas that need to be covered. Fortunately, there are several solutions to help you provide the best environment for your livestock.

HVLS Fans

High-volume, low-speed (HVLS) ceiling fans are designed for large-coverage areas with  powerful airflow. HVLS fans provide a cooling effect up to 10°F to reduce the effects of heat stress. An added benefit is that HVLS fans are whisper quiet, so you needn't worry about spooking horses and other livestock. Choose from several types of HVLS fans to meet the needs of your barn, stable, or livestock shed.

Titan HVLS Fan: These fans are known for high performance and versatility. Titan HVLS fans are available in five blade sizes from 14 feet to 24 feet, allowing for thorough air circulation in every corner of your facility.

ECO HVLS Fan: The ECO HVLS fan provides efficient and economical air movement, making it a cost-effective choice for large spaces. The ECO has eight blade sizes from 8 feet to 24 feet.

XP HVLS Fan: Perfect for smaller spaces, the XP HVLS fan delivers powerful air circulation without occupying too much room. There are five blade sizes for the XP, ranging from 7 feet to 14 feet.

DDI HVLS Fan: Built for simplicity and robust air circulation. The DDI HVLS fan is designed for industrial environments and is equipped with 20-foot or 24-foot blades.

Air Circulators & Commercial Fans

These fans provide consistent and controlled airflow where it's needed most in barns, stables, chicken coops, and livestock sheds. There are several configurations to suit various spaces:

• Trak Fans: These commercial ceiling fans have blade sizes ranging from 5 feet to 8 feet.
• Wall Mount Fans: Orbital wall fans provide targeted airflow in specific areas of your barn, stable, or chicken coop. Jan Fans can also be wall-mounted.
• Barrel/Drum Fans: Large, portable drum fans are movable to different locations as needed, providing strong airflow wherever necessary.
• Pedestal Fans: These fans have adjustable pedestals, offering flexibility in placement and direction for localized airflow. In hot climates with low humidity, using the optional misting kit along with your outdoor pedestal fan can help even more.

The term “HVLS” stands for High-Volume, Low-Speed. HVLS fans are huge, with some measuring around 10 feet to as much as 24 feet in diameter, and move a tremendous amount of air. These large industrial ceiling fans create a cooling effect of nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit and generate airflow throughout a large area. In the colder months, these large ceiling fans effectively mix the layers of air in your facility through a process called “Destratification,” which helps to redistribute heat. Using HVLS fans decreases the burden on your HVAC system and can lead to an energy savings of up to 30%!

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Learn More: What are HVLS fans?

Ideal Industries for HVLS Fans

A wide variety of businesses make use of HVLS ceiling fans. If you have tall ceilings and prioritize comfort and safety, HVLS fans are right for you! Here are just a few of the common settings where you will find HVLS industrial ceiling fans:

• Warehouses and Factories
• Dairy Barns
• Gymnasiums
• Breweries
• Automotive Shops
• Aviation Hangars

HVLS Fan Mounting Structures

Next, you need to consider if you have the proper mounting structure for HVLS ceiling fans. HVLS fans need to be mounted on sturdy structures that can withstand roughly twice the maximum hanging weight of the fan. These mounting structures include I-beams, purlin structures, Unistrut, and glulam beams. This usually isn’t an issue, as most industrial spaces are designed with these sorts of materials. However, some fans are heavier than others, so it is important to ensure that your space is sturdy enough to support the weight.

Additionally, you must make sure your HVLS ceiling fan is installed with enough clearance from any obstacles. This means the fan must be at least 2 feet away from any lighting fixtures, and 5 feet out of reaching distance from walkways or mezzanines.

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Not all HVLS fans are the same. Now that you have discovered if you have the right space for large diameter ceiling fans, let’s go over a few things that set some HVLS fans apart.

Learn More: HVLS Benefits for Warehouses

HVLS Fan Price and Performance

As is commonplace with most large, industrial equipment manufacturers, most companies require customers to get a quote to find specific HVLS fan pricing. That way, they can learn more about your specific needs to ensure they recommend the correct product. Hunter HVLS ceiling fans are extremely affordable when compared to other leading brands, and the benefits of going with Hunter are unmatched. (More on that later.)

It is also important to consider HVLS fan performance. HVLS fan performance is measured in CFM, which stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. This is basically a way of measuring how much air is being pushed through the fan in a set period. The Hunter Titan HVLS fan is capable of moving massive amounts of air!

HVLS Fan Durability and Warranty

Is the HVLS fan you are considering built to stand the test of time? Some manufacturers still use outdated technology, like gear-box motors that can leak oil! Hunter HVLS fans are designed with oil-free direct drive motors, and the blades are constructed with air-craft grade materials and redundant safety systems. We are the only HVLS manufacturer to offer an Adjustable Downrod, which takes the guesswork out of ordering and installing your fan.

Are you worried about accidentally hitting your fan with a fork truck? Don’t worry, we’ve already tested that for you:

In fact, we are so confident in our HVLS products that we offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty on our Titan, ECO, and XP models. That is the best HVLS fan warranty around!

Lead Times and Support

These days, it is difficult for industrial suppliers to keep their warehouses fully stocked. Before you place your HVLS fan order, make sure you know exactly how long it will take before the fans arrive at your warehouses. The last thing you want is to place your order, thinking you will have the fans before it gets too hot, only to discover it will take weeks or months for the fans to even leave the warehouse. With Hunter Industrial & Commercial, you can rest assured knowing that we offer 10-day lead times on our industrial and commercial fans! We will get the air flowing when you need it!

Have a question or concern? Our customer support is standing by to lend a helping hand. Learn more here.