Quiet Wall-Mounted Fans

[crooney1189]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a 'quiet' wall-mounted fan? For a reasonable budget?

One of my least favorite things about wall fans is the sound, so my intent has been to hang a big HVLS fan in the middle of the shop to help circulate air and keep the mini-split more effective. One of the things I like most about the HVLS fans is that you don't hear them. I've got a Harbor Breeze Megalodon under the carport that I'm pretty happy with.

But I'm not crazy about bringing the hot air near the ceiling back down to the floor though with a ceiling fan, so I've been giving more thought to a couple wall-mounted fans to circulate air mainly down low, probably 2 or 3 mounted in the corners. Getting something that moves enough air though is probably going to be fairly loud though I'm assuming. The building is 30'x50' and will have a 10' mezzanine at one end, so the main floor space will be about 30'x40'

Any recommendations?

 

[LOW1]

Would your problem perhaps be better addressed by having some powered vents in the roof and by reversing the ceiling fan to direct the hot air up? And by adding one or too quiet portable fans at floor level?

 

[txvwnut]

The premise of a ceiling fan is to stir the air up and mix the hot with the cooler air. Good look finding any type of pedestal or wall mount fan the is quiet. I've got squirrel cage blowers mounted on the wall of my shop and while they are quieter than a bladed fan they do make noise pushing air.

 

[Fav Onefour]

Tough space to cool without insulation so you're just trying to move air for the feeling of air.
I think you're on the right track by thinking about multiple fans. You will want them to hit you where you're working or sitting. Most of the time, I see people point a big fan right on themselves. That works if you are only in one spot. Outside of the air stream, the effect goes away quickly.

Try to configure a layout that makes air flow vs. a bunch of fans pointed right into the center. One trick with outer wall layout is to create a circular wind tunnel. Point the wall location fans between wall and center of room. Align them to feed airflow into the next fan draft.

Blade speed is one of your main noise makers. Multiple fans with lower blade speed will help. Cheap box fans are quiet but you need a bunch for that much space. Those big ol barn fans are also pretty quiet but they are large and start getting spendy.

 

[crooney1189]

Tough space to cool without insulation so you're just trying to move air for the feeling of air.
I think you're on the right track by thinking about multiple fans. You will want them to hit you where you're working or sitting. Most of the time, I see people point a big fan right on themselves. That works if you are only in one spot. Outside of the air stream, the effect goes away quickly.

Try to configure a layout that makes air flow vs. a bunch of fans pointed right into the center. One trick with outer wall layout is to create a circular wind tunnel. Point the wall location fans between wall and center of room. Align them to feed airflow into the next fan draft.

Blade speed is one of your main noise makers. Multiple fans with lower blade speed will help. Cheap box fans are quiet but you need a bunch for that much space. Those big ol barn fans are also pretty quiet but they are large and start getting spendy.

So to clarify, the space will be insulated, I just haven't made it that far yet. I'll also have either OSB or plywood up attached to the tubing for a finished wall after insulation.

Mini-split got a temporary install since I had it already, and it makes working in there so much nicer. I was actually surprised by how much it takes the edge off the heat without any insulation in there. The plan is to be insulated by next summer.

I'm on the same page as you in terms of layout, my thought was a couple fans (likely in the corners) that would essentially point towards the output of the next fan in line. My goal would essentially be to "swirl" the cool air down low around the main workspace at floor level, rather than stir in the warmer air up near the ceiling. With it insulated it may not be as much of a temperature difference between the levels, not sure yet. I'm just going by what I'm experiencing now.

Just trying to figure out what to look for in terms of wall fans pretty much, seeing if anyone has experience with something that fits the bill of what I'm looking for in terms of noise, without getting too pricy. I agree with what you're saying about blade speed, as far as I know blade shape also plays a part. I guess I need larger fans moving slower.

 

[Fav Onefour]

@crooney1189 , I really like your plan.
I'll be honest, I saw the head unit on the wall and no insulation. I went to the assumption you were going to leave it that way.

I know this is G.J. but I've been using cheap fans with pretty dang good luck.
Box fans are ok but they can only do so much. I typically use them in windows to do temporary air exchange on remodeling projects

My favorite cheapo for moving air around is a Lasko 3520 that has dual (floor or wall), mount features. It's a shrouded five blade setup and remains fairly quiet at the lower two speeds. The fan moves a fair amount of air for the sound volume. I have not used the wall mount option but I think it would work in your situation. One advantage of the fan design is the tilting base. You could do a vertical wall mount and use the tilt option to direct flow.
I prefer simple design and the fans I've used do not have remote functions. If I was doing a layout like your space I'd want a bank of switched outlets. That would allow me to easily turn on the whole works without touching each fan or using remotes.

I normally shy away from recommending specific brand items but this particular fan has been a rock star for my usage. It won't part your hair but it will move quite a bit of air without crazy noise.

I have a bunch of 20" high velocity fans left over from an old work place. They were throwing those out when we scrapped the site. Similar to this one pictured.

Those fans will clean the floor and they're durable as heck. I use one to clear out fumes when I start snowmobiles etc. inside the garage. I can hear the fan with the sleds running but they will blow out the fumes in no time. They are also handy to dry things off after washing.
These fans are great for high need tasks but the noise would be way too much for tinkering around and hanging out.