Complete Guide to Buying Commercial Ceiling Fans

Since 2000, the average cost of electricity in the United States has more than doubled. For business owners who rely on HVAC systems, this is an alarming statistic that threatens both profit margins and operational costs.

Many individuals have turned to commercial ceiling fans as an affordable and effective solution for reducing their commercial building’s energy consumption. However, knowing how to select the right fan for a specific application can be challenging. This buyer’s guide to commercial fans serves as a roadmap to help equip contractors and business stakeholders with the knowledge that’s necessary to make an informed purchase.

Residential vs. Commercial Ceiling Fans: What’s the Difference?

Commercial fans have several differentiating factors that separate them from the standard residential fans one might find in a home. For starters, they’re typically much larger to accommodate the spatial and airflow requirements of a commercial building. Commercial fans are also designed to be focused on performance, whereas residential fans tend to be more focused on aesthetics.

Commercial fans are engineered for reliable, continuous use. They have higher-powered motors, more durable materials, and increased resilience to dust and changing environmental conditions. High volume low speed (HVLS) fans are a subset of commercial fans built for the most demanding industrial applications. They are significantly larger, typically 8-20 feet in diameter, and can accommodate other power systems like 240V and 480V.

How Do Commercial Ceiling Fans Work?

All fans work through convection and evaporation, and the working relationship between these processes helps an enclosed space feel cooler.  In addition, fans help destratify the surrounding air and redistribute layers of hot and cool air to create a more uniform temperature profile throughout the room.

For a complete, in-depth explanation of how industrial fans work, along with visual examples, please view our HVLS fan buyer’s guide.

Uses for Commercial Fans

Commercial fans are found in a wide variety of industries and applications. Their versatility and easy installation make them the preferred cooling method for businesses that have large footprints and demanding energy requirements.

Warehouses and distribution centers also frequently rely on commercial ceiling fans because of their extensive square footage. HVAC systems would simply fail to keep up. Smaller facilities can also make great use of a well-planned commercial fan installation, such as retail stores, restaurants, garages, schools, churches, and barns.

How Can a Commercial Ceiling Fan Benefit My Business?

The number one concern of business owners when investing in any upgraded infrastructure is, “How can this benefit me?” When it comes to commercial ceiling fans, the advantages are glaringly obvious. Commercial fans offer a range of impressive benefits, including:

• Lower Utility Costs: Commercial fans are incredibly powerful in settings where commercial HVAC systems would struggle to perform. The costs associated with using air conditioning in a large warehouse or store are enormous. Fans can either be used as the sole source of climate control, or in conjunction with an existing HVAC system to help reduce energy costs.
• Improved Air Quality: Air circulation and ventilation are crucial in commercial settings. Fans help move air throughout the facility, reducing the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the growth of mold spores, and other indoor pollutants.
• Lower Temperature and Improved Working Conditions: High employee satisfaction is directly related to improved productivity. The installation of commercial fans helps lower interior temperatures, ensuring that your business is both comfortable and in regulatory compliance.
• More Comfortable Customers: For public-facing businesses, it’s crucial that customers feel comfortable. A fan installation can remove stagnant air and make their experience more enjoyable.
• Significant Tax Incentives: Recent legislation, namely the Inflation Reduction Act, has made it incredibly advantageous to install energy-efficient products in a business, of which commercial ceiling fans qualify. Most business owners can offset a significant portion of their installation costs.

Selecting Commercial Fans: Main Factors to Consider

With a range of different fan sizes, styles, and power levels, settling on one can be confusing for business owners and contractors alike. When purchasing a commercial ceiling fan, forethought must be taken. Planning an installation ahead of time ensures that the fans purchased will fit and provide the desired functionality. Below are some of the main factors to consider.

Coverage Area

The size of a building is the most important consideration to make when deciding on a fan. Calculating the amount of square footage that needs to be cooled by a fan is typically the first starting point when selecting a product.  To determine the general coverage area, measure the length and width of the applicable areas and multiply these two values.

Airflow Rates

After the coverage area is determined, consider the airflow rates of each fan. Airflow volume is typically measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The higher this value, the harder the fan will work, and the cooler the surrounding area will be.

Many factors influence the CFM of a fan, and it’s a balancing act to create optimum airflow. These factors include:

• Pitch: Pitch refers to the angle of the fan’s blades. Generally speaking, the greater the pitch, the higher the CFM.
• Number of Blades: Fans with more blades typically move more air than those with fewer. However, the greater the number of blades, the more strain on the fan’s motor and the more noise that is produced.
• Motor: While the motor itself does not necessarily create better airflow, a larger size can accommodate more fan blades and greater pitches, ultimately leading to increased airflow.
• Sweep: The sweep of a fan is the diameter of the fan’s blades. In other words, it’s the size of the circle that the blades produce when spinning. The larger the sweep, the wider the vertical air columns that are produced, resulting in higher CFMs.

Fan Dimensions: How to Size a Commercial Ceiling Fan?

In theory, it’s always more beneficial to purchase a fan with higher airflow rates. However, every building has size limitations that need to be considered. An improperly sized fan may not fit at all in a facility, or it can be a hazard.

Before selecting a fan, take stock of the usable space on the ceiling. If it’s a clear and open space, you can take the ceiling’s square footage and divide it by the size of a fan as a starting point. However, it’s typically more complicated than this as you’ll need to account for the fan’s minimum horizontal clearance. This is the amount of open room that must be between the tips of adjacent fan blades, obstructions, and surrounding walls.

One of the easiest ways of accounting for this is by making a visual illustration, such as the one shown below:

It’s also important to account for the minimum mounting height of a fan. This can vary based on each product, so be sure to read individual specifications. Remember to account for immovable obstructions in the space, such as shelving or machinery. Energy Star recommends that fans are mounted with at least 7 feet of space between the floor and the fan’s blades for maximum safety.

Wet/Damp Rating

One factor that many consumers forget to consider is the ability of a fan to be subjected to moisture. Many fans are only rated for dry, interior use. Certain applications, like patios and other outdoor-exposed spaces, will need to have fans that are UL or ETL wet-rated.

Technical Features

Additional technical features can be considered based on desired performance after coverage area, airflow rate, and sizing have been determined. Many fans have a reversible setting that can be useful in the winter, as it drags warm air from the ceiling down to the floor below. Some fans also have variable speed settings that allow a user to change the amount of air that is circulating in the room.

How to Install a Commercial Ceiling Fan?

As mentioned, one of the main reasons why building owners are drawn to commercial ceiling fans is that their installation is much less expensive and labor-intensive than a comprehensive HVAC system. Despite the simple nature of the job, it’s still highly recommended to seek professional assistance from a contractor who understands proper mount bracing and electrical wiring. A general overview of their process includes:

1. Turning off the local power disconnect.
2. Establishing a new connection in the junction box and running wiring to each fan location.
3. Installing the appropriate mounting hardware based on the structural design of the building (wooden ceiling joints, steel joints, etc.).
4. Wiring the fan and attaching the down rods to the joist mount.
5. Turning the local power back on.

Keeping Up on Maintenance

The beauty of commercial ceiling fans is that they require minimal maintenance to remain operational for years. One of the best things that can be done to preserve their longevity is frequent visual inspections. By looking for signs of wear on the fan blades and electrical wiring and taking action as needed, many common problems can be prevented.

Occasionally, more extensive maintenance will be needed. Changing the lubricating oil annually can be a great way to ensure that a fan continues to perform at its best. If a fan is becoming louder over time, it may need a bearing replacement. Cleaning out dust is also an important part of the maintenance process, as it ensures the motor will run without unneeded stress.

Browse Our Collection of High-Performing Commercial Ceiling Fans Today

Whether you’re interested in lowering your facility’s energy costs or need to improve the environmental conditions of your building, a commercial ceiling fan is a proven, cost-effective way of achieving the changes you’re looking for. No matter what your industry is, using this guide will help you find the perfect fan to meet your coverage area, size, and airflow requirements.

By obtaining commercial ceiling fans from a reputable supplier like LED Lighting Supply, you can take the guesswork out of your purchase. We’re always available to discuss your project needs and can help you find the perfect product for your application. Many of our commercial fans come with lifetime motor warranties and we’re proud to offer bulk pricing for contractors. Browse our inventory today and please reach out with any questions you may have.