4 Ways HVLS Fans Improve Industrial & Commercial Climate Control ROI
Investments in climate control typically represent between 50% and 70% of a building’s electricity use. With such a large percentage of energy spend going on climate control, it’s important that building owners and facility managers do everything possible to reduce the amount of money they spend on heating and cooling. HVLS fans are a great way to improve the ROI of every dollar you put towards making your building more comfortable for occupants.
Reduce HVAC System Costs
HVLS fans don’t just make your climate control solution more efficient with their own airflow — they also reduce the strain on your HVAC system by helping distribute hot or warm air throughout a space. (HVAC vents only “dump” air into a specific place, which often leads to hot or warm spots in a building.)
HVLS fans pair with HVAC systems to enhance airflow and deliver savings. In the summer, the large columns of air deliver a cooling breeze that makes occupants feel about 8° cooler. During the winter, pulling air up, across the ceiling, and down to the floor brings warm air into the occupied space. With these climate control solutions, buildings that install HVLS fans can decrease their HVAC run time and save 30% or more on monthly gas/electric bills. As you can see, HVLS fans quickly pay for themselves!
Improve Employee Health
HVLS fans don’t only impact the temperature of a building — they help make it healthier for occupants. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a problem related to poor airflow and ventilation and can cause problematic symptoms like headaches, dizziness, coughing, and fatigue.
Research published by the NIH shows that proper ventilation and airflow are critical elements for preventing Sick Building Syndrome. HVLS fans support a building’s intake and exhaust system by thoroughly mixing the air. Stagnant air and its associated contaminants and odors are disrupted by the airflow from HVLS fans and moved toward the exhaust system. This process improves indoor air quality. By some estimates, sick days cost the U.S. economy over $570 billion a year — improving the health of your team means a happier and more productive workforce, which improves the ROI of your valuable employees.
Increase Productivity
If employees are suffering from heat strain, they are unable to perform their job duties well. The observable reactions to heat strain include: increased blood flow to the skin to distribute heat in an attempt to maximize the effects of both convection cooling and evaporative cooling. Heat strain also produces visible sweating, eventually discontinued sweating as the body senses moisture levels dropping in the cells and an elevated heart rate.
Moderate heat stress conditions can usually be remedied with the airflow from HVLS fans. The airflow from HVLS fans speeds up the body’s natural evaporative cooling process and makes employees more comfortable and therefore more productive.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Air conditioning systems are complex with dozens of parts across a facility including ducts, compressors, refrigerants, and condensers. It can be difficult to even identify a problem with your air conditioning system, let alone reach the malfunctioning area and complete the necessary repairs.
By comparison, HVLS fans require much less maintenance. Well-built HVLS fans rarely malfunction, and if they do, top providers have extensive fan warranties. This means that you can confidently purchase a high-quality HVLS fan, expecting worry-free performance. The combination of sturdy construction, long warranties, and exceptional climate control capabilities means you can enjoy a high ROI on the money you invest in HVLS fans.
The Bottom Line on Improving ROI
All decisions made in the industrial and commercial environments must consider ROI. Every action taken should help your organization produce more or waste less. The right HVLS fan can help minimize the cost of your HVAC system, improve employee health and productivity, and reduce the amount of heating and cooling costs you pay in your facility.
Belnor Engineering, home of the Belnor IAQ Warden™, is the official multiple consecutive award-winning distributor of innovative architectural products around the globe. At the forefront of sustainability for over three decades, we specialize in laboratory & building automation & controls, IAQ & HVAC systems, renewable energy & architectural solutions, technical services, and green & healthy building consulting — building green cities one green building at a time. For more information, contact us. Don’t forget to read our Sustainability Manifesto: Decade Of 2020 while you’re at it. Cheers!
