Lets talk ceiling fans for the shop

[jetranger]

Looking at getting some fans for air movement in the shop. My last garage was a simple 3 car with two of the 3-bladed industrial looking white fans. They moved a ton of air and I was really happy with them.

Now I'm just finishing up a 35x50x16 detached and looking at fans again. I feel like I'd need 4-6 of those 3 bladed fans for the same effect because of the increased size and height.

Amazon has some fans made by Big Air, which seem to be a smaller version of a Big *** Fan. They have a 96" for just over $600. It seems to me that two of these would be perfect, but the reviews are split about 50/50 as far as air movement. Some people say they're wonderful, and some say they're garbage.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BLQ3483/?tag=atomicindus08-20

So, has anybody used a Big Air fan? If not, what are you using that works?

Thanks!

(not looking for a portable type)

 

[aka Larry]

I don't know. That one seems like a gamble IMO. Those 1-star reviews are pretty damning.

I have (3) of the Westinghouse 56" 3-blade industrial fans in my 40'x40 shop, and I love 'em. I love the price even more @ $60 each. I'm planning to add two more soon.

 

[JCQuick]

I was looking at big *** fans and price wise just not in the budget I did find and buy a really nice 84" that I will provide a link when i get home but I love it moves lots of air and very quiet. If you check my shop thread it should be there towards the end as i have been slacking on updates. i liked it so much I'm buying another this week. all the info is on the 2nd to last page of my thread

 

[jetranger]

I don't know. That one seems like a gamble IMO. Those 1-star reviews are pretty damning.

I have (3) of the Westinghouse 56" 3-blade industrial fans in my 40'x40 shop, and I love 'em. I love the price even more @ $60 each. I'm planning to add two more soon.

How high are your ceilings? I worry that even if I added a few of the 3 blade like yours at 16', it would be a 'jet' of air under it but not much around it... maybe I'm wrong though!

 

[aka Larry]

How high are your ceilings? I worry that even if I added a few of the 3 blade like yours at 16', it would be a 'jet' of air under it but not much around it... maybe I'm wrong though!

The peak is about 15', but I have the fans on down rods. The one above the bench is dropped to about 8', and the two beside the lift are about 10' off the floor.

They work great, but the 24" exhaust fan I have mounted on the back wall near the peak helps a ton as well.

 

[aka Larry]

I was looking at big *** fans and price wise just not in the budget I did find and buy a really nice 84" that I will provide a link when i get home but I love it moves lots of air and very quiet. If you check my shop thread it should be there towards the end as i have been slacking on updates. i liked it so much I'm buying another this week. all the info is on the 2nd to last page of my thread

Here's the link to JC Quick's fan.

 

[kwb]

I found 3 nearly matching fans (same size) on the clearance shelf at lowes or HD. They were like $20 ea.

It is just about 18' to the peak and when it is cold and I have the furnace (hanging unit heater) on they make a big improvement in evening out the temp in the shop.

Never needed them for cooling - but you can feel the air they are moving which is what you would want.

 

[vtjon]

This topic has been on my mind as I'm preparing to wire my shop. It was have 12' ceilings (drywalled eventually, 28x40). I am strongly considering putting in a mini split so I'm curious how the fans might help, especially when heating.

Anybody using ceilings fans with a mini split?

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[JCQuick]

Thanks for doing that AKA larry

 

[glentre]

This topic has been on my mind as I'm preparing to wire my shop. It was have 12' ceilings (drywalled eventually, 28x40). I am strongly considering putting in a mini split so I'm curious how the fans might help, especially when heating.

Anybody using ceilings fans with a mini split?

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

With any HVAC unit, a ceiling fan will work well in the winter by keeping the hot air off the ceiling and down at floor level where you need it. Not as useful in the summer since the colder air stays near the floor anyway. I have a wall mounted heat pump in my 30 x 38 three bay but keep the 7 ft ceiling fan on at slow speed all year long. Helps prevent condensation problems as well as keeping air moving.

Glen

 

[kbs2244]

I just use a collection of 6 drug store box fans
set on low and running 24/365
I have had one die in 11 years

 

[vtjon]

With any HVAC unit, a ceiling fan will work well in the winter by keeping the hot air off the ceiling and down at floor level where you need it. Not as useful in the summer since the colder air stays near the floor anyway. I have a wall mounted heat pump in my 30 x 38 three bay but keep the 7 ft ceiling fan on at slow speed all year long. Helps prevent condensation problems as well as keeping air moving.



Glen

What size fan do you have? Is a single large fan in the middle sufficient?

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[BruceMc]

With any HVAC unit, a ceiling fan will work well in the winter by keeping the hot air off the ceiling and down at floor level where you need it. Not as useful in the summer since the colder air stays near the floor anyway. I have a wall mounted heat pump in my 30 x 38 three bay but keep the 7 ft ceiling fan on at slow speed all year long. Helps prevent condensation problems as well as keeping air moving.

Which gets to the bigger question - what do you want the fans to accomplish? Like in the above example, you don't need a lot of fan to keep air circulating. In fact, keeping air movement barely perceptible also means not blowing dust and dirt everywhere, into every nook and cranny. On the other hand, if you want the fans to keep air moving enough to cool you down, that requires a bit more.

 

[nadogail]

I get good service from the ceiling fans sold at Home Depot, in fact I bought a $30.00 replacement for an 18 year old fan just last Friday.

 

[brownbagg]

i got cheapy 36 ceiling fans, had them about 15 years no problems, but a big *** fan is the way to go, especially if you got gnats and mosquitoes in the area

 

[glentre]

What size fan do you have? Is a single large fan in the middle sufficient?

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

A single seven ft diameter fan mounted in the center of the middle bay. Bought it from H.Depot or Lowes. Does a good job of keeping the air moving but not drafty. Hardly know it's on. That's all you need if you have heating and cooling. If no HVAC, you need to move a lot of air to feel cool in the summer which would require more fans at higher speed and located to blow directly on the work areas.

Glen

 

[CraigStu]

We have had 50-60 inch ceiling fans in our houses for ever. The MBR and living room fans are on low from April to Oct. We have never had one die. I am not sure what more an 'industrial' fan at $600 would do better. I'd rather buy two 60 inches at Lowes or HD for $300.

 

[SkeeterZX200]

I have a 30x60x14 shop that I built last year. I installed two of these in the 60" versions.

https://www.marleymep.com/products/mip/heavy-duty-commercial-ceiling-fans

They move quite a lot of air, but are a little noisy on high. You can get a speed controller and I keep them at around 50% most of the time.

I think they were around $300 each.

 

[SkeeterZX200]

This topic has been on my mind as I'm preparing to wire my shop. It was have 12' ceilings (drywalled eventually, 28x40). I am strongly considering putting in a mini split so I'm curious how the fans might help, especially when heating.

Anybody using ceilings fans with a mini split?

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

You will definitely need them for heating. I have 2 minisplits in my 30x60x14 and the heat just sits at the ceiling. You will need the fans to help distribute the air.

 

[aka Larry]

I have a 30x60x14 shop that I built last year. I installed two of these in the 60" versions.

https://www.marleymep.com/products/mip/heavy-duty-commercial-ceiling-fans

They move quite a lot of air, but are a little noisy on high. You can get a speed controller and I keep them at around 50% most of the time.

I think they were around $300 each.

I took a look and they list a 56" version, which looks a lot like Amazon ones from Westinghouse that I have. Mine we only $60 each, so I was thinking you got screwed at $300, but then I compared their specs.

Westinghouse 56" 3-blade industrial fan = 5,973 CFM

Marley 56" 3-blade HD industrial fan = 27,500 CFM


I hate to spend $300 on a fan, but one that seems well worth it.

BTW, where did you buy them? I didn't see a link on their site where they could be purchased.

 

[planecrazy]

Looking at getting some fans for air movement in the shop. My last garage was a simple 3 car with two of the 3-bladed industrial looking white fans. They moved a ton of air and I was really happy with them.

Now I'm just finishing up a 35x50x16 detached and looking at fans again. I feel like I'd need 4-6 of those 3 bladed fans for the same effect because of the increased size and height.

Amazon has some fans made by Big Air, which seem to be a smaller version of a Big *** Fan. They have a 96" for just over $600. It seems to me that two of these would be perfect, but the reviews are split about 50/50 as far as air movement. Some people say they're wonderful, and some say they're garbage.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BLQ3483/?tag=atomicindus08-20

So, has anybody used a Big Air fan? If not, what are you using that works?

Thanks!

(not looking for a portable type)

To answer the OP, I installed a 96" Big Air fan in my hangar a couple months ago. I'm honestly underwhelmed and I probably wouldn't do it again.

 

[HAP]

My BAF post on the topic:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114992

R,
HAP

 

[930dreamer]

I just installed three 52" fans in my 40x80 shop. Not expecting any game changers here just moving the air around. If money wasn't an issue I'd go with a BAF.

 

[BruceMc]

... but then I compared their specs.

Westinghouse 56" 3-blade industrial fan = 5,973 CFM

Marley 56" 3-blade HD industrial fan = 27,500 CFM

Serious question - why in the world would you need to move that much air? Assuming that's not a typo, a fan that size might be useful in a large warehouse or factory. Otherwise, not so much.

 

[aka Larry]

Serious question - why in the world would you need to move that much air? Assuming that's not a typo, a fan that size might be useful in a large warehouse or factory. Otherwise, not so much.

What I'd like to know is where that large of a gain in CFM comes from between fans of the same diameter? I would *think* that it would be either from increased RPMs or via the blade pitch, but that's just a guess.

 

[jetranger]

To answer the OP, I installed a 96" Big Air fan in my hangar a couple months ago. I'm honestly underwhelmed and I probably wouldn't do it again.

Thank you for the feedback

 

[aggie113]

Bought two of these for my 30x40 garage. 18" to rafters, they won't create a breeze but will move a lot of air around:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-De...ng-Fan-with-Remote-Control-AM590-NI/305364102

 

[SkeeterZX200]

I took a look and they list a 56" version, which looks a lot like Amazon ones from Westinghouse that I have. Mine we only $60 each, so I was thinking you got screwed at $300, but then I compared their specs.

Westinghouse 56" 3-blade industrial fan = 5,973 CFM

Marley 56" 3-blade HD industrial fan = 27,500 CFM


I hate to spend $300 on a fan, but one that seems well worth it.

BTW, where did you buy them? I didn't see a link on their site where they could be purchased.

A local HVAC rep that I work with sells them. I was able to get it through them.

 

[BruceMc]

What I'd like to know is where that large of a gain in CFM comes from between fans of the same diameter? I would *think* that it would be either from increased RPMs or via the blade pitch, but that's just a guess.

Good question. Just based on the swept area of the blades, you'd be looking at an 18-20 mph stream of air to hit that cfm.

 

[MushCreek]

I need a couple of fans for my new great room. With a 22' ceiling, any heat will be far away from the occupants. Good in the summer, not so good in the winter. In keeping with the whole barn/rustic vibe, I want something galvanized, but right now, galvanized might as well be gold plating. I found some great fans that look like windmills, but at a grand a piece, they're way out of my budget.

 

[VtecGSR95]

I am planning to use these after doing a lot of research:

https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;;pg101483_101486.html

 

[aka Larry]

This seems to be getting crazier and crazier!

So to recap three of what seems to be a very similar [looking] fan:

Westinghouse 56" 3-blade industrial fan = 5,973 CFM

Marley 56" 3-blade HD industrial fan = 27,500 CFM

Canarm Heavy Duty High Performance Industrial Ceiling Fan 60" @ Max RPM: 46,000 CFM

It's like the CFM is going exponential or something and I don't know what to believe!

 

[SkeeterZX200]

This seems to be getting crazier and crazier!

So to recap three of what seems to be a very similar [looking] fan:

Westinghouse 56" 3-blade industrial fan = 5,973 CFM

Marley 56" 3-blade HD industrial fan = 27,500 CFM

Canarm Heavy Duty High Performance Industrial Ceiling Fan 60" @ Max RPM: 46,000 CFM

It's like the CFM is going exponential or something and I don't know what to believe!

It is really hard to measure the CFM of a ceiling fan. There is alot of induced airflow from ceiling fans. When I was looking at fans I evaluated air turnover of the space. The fans I have, theoretically, will turnover all the air in tehe space 2x per min. I would rather turn down the fans rather than not have enough airflow.

 

[vtjon]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate thread but I thought you all might have some ideas.

I am in the process of running my wire. I will pull my wire run to my switch box for my fan. I don't know what kind of fan I will get but I would like a variable speed control (preferably with a reverse switch) on the wall. I'm going into a 4 gang box.

Is this practical and is 14-2 sufficient? I have some 14-3 I could use though I don't expect to have a light on the fan.

 

[itb45]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate thread but I thought you all might have some ideas.

I am in the process of running my wire. I will pull my wire run to my switch box for my fan. I don't know what kind of fan I will get but I would like a variable speed control (preferably with a reverse switch) on the wall. I'm going into a 4 gang box.

Is this practical and is 14-2 sufficient? I have some 14-3 I could use though I don't expect to have a light on the fan.

14-2 will be sufficient for a regular fan.

The bigger question is what size circuit breaker is on that circuit ? If its a 20amp breaker and assuming you are using Romex, then the wire is too small, need to go upto 12-2.

 

[itb45]

In your shop are you trying to use the fans to keep air moving or actually make a breeze so it feels cooler ?

Just trying to keep air moving, buy a few home depot ceiling fans.
If you want a breeze, I would seriously consider a Big *** Fan, they have them at work, and what is probably a 30ft ceiling, you can actually feel the air moving when you are below it. The best part is its slow moving, not fast like a little fan that blows paper and stuff around.

 

[matt_i]

My opinion after installing fans in the house with a 4' down rod and fans in the shop which are tight to the ceiling is that the longer down-rod helps immensely with airflow.

I don't think anyone goes into this but I'm convinced. 3 tight-fans can basically do what one lower hanging version can do.

 

[aka Larry]

My opinion after installing fans in the house with a 4' down rod and fans in the shop which are tight to the ceiling is that the longer down-rod helps immensely with airflow.

I don't think anyone goes into this but I'm convinced. 3 tight-fans can basically do what one lower hanging version can do.

I'm of the same opinion. I have one down rod that is 6' long for the fan over the bench, and two others on 4' long rods next to the 2-post lift.

 

[vtjon]

I'm going to put it on a 15 amp circuit with one row of lights. The fan will be on circuit with three other lights so I expect plenty of headroom.

I'm planning just one fan in the middle. The main goal will be to push down the heat from the mini split. I might occasionally run it just for air movement but that won't be the main purpose.

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[Slowbuilder]

I am planning to use these after doing a lot of research:

https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;;pg101483_101486.html

I put two of these (Model# CP561118111R) in my 25x43x14.5 and they move a lot of air. I got them from Northern Tool on sale for about $75 each, but they don't carry that model any more. I wired for 4 fans (one in the center of each quadrant of the shop), and put in two of these, and they don't quite swirl the dust around. You can definitely feel the air moving. I'm hesitant to add the last two, as they might generate an inside dust storm...

But with the AZ heat, I'm still getting ready to pull the trigger on mini-splits.