An HVLS fan is a large ceiling fan, usually 12 to 24 feet across, that turns slowly and moves a very large volume of air. HVLS stands for high volume, low speed. One fan can keep a gentle breeze across thousands of square feet of a warehouse or factory floor, on about the power of a domestic appliance.
What HVLS stands for
- High volume: the long blades push a huge column of air. Our 24 ft fan moves about 10,800 m³ of air a minute.
- Low speed: the blades turn at only 60 to 90 RPM, compared with several hundred RPM for an ordinary ceiling or pedestal fan.
Because the blades are long and slow, the fan moves air gently and quietly instead of creating a strong blast near the fan and nothing further away.
How an HVLS fan works
The fan pushes a wide column of air straight down to the floor. When that column hits the floor it spreads outward in every direction, in a layer close to the ground, until it meets walls or racks and rises again. This is often called a floor jet.
The result is a steady breeze across a large area. People in that breeze feel cooler, because moving air takes heat and sweat off the skin faster. In practice, workers often feel several degrees cooler even though the air temperature has not changed.
In winter or the monsoon, the same fan can run slowly to mix warm air trapped under the roof back down, and to dry damp floors.
Does an HVLS fan cool the air?
No. An HVLS fan does not lower the air temperature. It makes people feel cooler by moving air over them. If the air itself needs to be cooler, as in a hot shed in May, pair HVLS fans with industrial evaporative coolers that bring in cooler fresh air, and exhaust fans that take hot air out. The fans then spread that cooler air across the floor.
Where HVLS fans are used
- Warehouses and distribution centres
- Factory production halls and assembly lines
- Gyms, sports halls and stadiums
- Malls, supermarkets and showrooms
- Airports, exhibition halls and places of worship
- Dairy sheds and other farm buildings
What they share is a large floor and a high roof. HVLS fans need height: the fan hangs well above people, racks and machines, with clear space around the blades.
HVLS fan sizes
| Size | Approx. coverage per fan | Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 12 ft | 5,382 sq ft (500 m²) | 1.2 kW |
| 16 ft | 7,535 sq ft (700 m²) | 0.9 kW |
| 20 ft | 8,612 sq ft (800 m²) | 1.0 kW |
| 24 ft | 11,688 sq ft (1,086 m²) | 1.5 kW |
Bigger fans cover more floor per mounting point, so they suit open floors with high roofs. Smaller fans fit between racks, cranes and lights, or under lower roofs. Our HVLS fan calculator gives a first estimate of how many you need.
PMSM motors
Modern HVLS fans, including ours, use permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). They drive the blades directly, without a gearbox, which means less noise, no gear oil to change and lower power use than older geared designs.
HVLS fan vs many small fans
Replacing dozens of wall or pedestal fans with a few HVLS fans brings:
- Even air across the floor, instead of strong airflow near each fan and dead spots between them
- Lower power use for the area covered
- Less clutter, with nothing on the floor for forklifts to hit
- Less noise, which matters in offices, hospitals and halls
When an HVLS fan is not the right choice
- Low roofs, where there is not enough height for a large fan to run safely
- Small rooms, where a 12 ft fan is still too big
- Spaces that need the air temperature lowered, where you need coolers, with fans as a partner rather than a replacement
Summary
An HVLS fan moves a lot of air slowly to keep a large floor comfortable at low running cost. It does not cool the air, but combined with industrial coolers and exhaust fans it is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a warehouse or factory comfortable. See our HVLS fans or send us your floor plan for a layout.
Frequently asked questions
What does HVLS stand for?
High volume, low speed: large ceiling fans that turn slowly but move a very large volume of air.
Does an HVLS fan reduce the temperature?
No. It makes people feel cooler by moving air over them. Pair it with industrial coolers if the air itself needs to be cooler.
How much area does one HVLS fan cover?
About 5,382 sq ft for a 12 ft fan up to about 11,688 sq ft for a 24 ft fan.
How much power does an HVLS fan use?
Our fans use 0.9 to 1.5 kW, far less than the many small fans they replace.