HIGH PERFORMANCE LOW SPEED LOW NOISE
Technically, an HVLS fan – high volume, low speed – is a ceiling fan greater than 7 feet (2.1 meters) in diameter. Unlike a small high-speed fan that creates small, turbulent airflows that quickly dissipate, the HVLS fan relies on size, not speed, to move a significant amount of air. Originally designed for large spaces such as stables and factories, HVLS fans have evolved as technology has rapidly improved. They are now found in a wide variety of industrial, commercial and residential spaces, often working in conjunction with HVAC systems to save energy. In fact, energy-efficient HVLS fans have quickly taken the lead in green building.
Air from an HVLS fan moves toward the floor in a column that radiates in all directions, flows horizontally until it hits a wall – or airflow from another fan – at which point it rises upward and flows toward the fan. This creates gas-like air currents that are built up as the fan continues to rotate. Increased air circulation effectively removes warm, humid air and replaces it with drier air. The result is a quiet, non-destructive and uniform distribution of 3 to 5 mph steps over large spaces, with a perceptible cooling effect on occupants of up to approximately 6 °C. During the winter, HVLS fans effectively redistribute warm air trapped in the ceiling down to floor level.
