Have you ever agonized over the purchase of a new A/C system at home?  Perhaps more energy efficient windows or better insulation?  Usually, the first question you ask (after, of course, “that’s going to cost HOW much?!”) is, “how long before this pays for itself?”  When it comes to evaluating potential capital expenditure projects (whether at home or at work), one acronym stands above the rest – ROI, or return on investment.  If you’re considering HVLS fans for your facility, calculating ROI helps estimate the time period necessary for full payback in the form of energy savings.  But how are these calculations done, and what critical information is needed to do them?  Keep reading to find out!
 
Energy savings from HVLS fans are generally realized during the winter months, due to destratification.  Because of this, knowing your heating cost and consumption information is vitally important, as HVLS fans can help reduce them both by up to 30%!  Also important is the cost of your electricity, since heaters consume electrical power as well as natural gas when they are in use.  Other inputs that help “fine tune” your ROI calculation include:  facility square footage, hours of operation, number of heaters, heater voltage and amperage ratings, and average length of the winter heating season.
 
So how is all this data used to calculate ROI?  It all starts by estimating current resource consumption costs (both natural gas and electrical – I will spare you the boring formulas here).  Once a total consumption amount is determined, calculate a projected savings amount as a percentage of that total consumption (15-20% is usually a solid, conservative savings estimate).  Then, subtract your fan electrical costs (again, boring formula) from your savings – this is your net savings amount.  Finally, divide your net savings by the projected cost of your new fans and – Bob’s your uncle – you have ROI (in number of heating seasons)!  Pretty easy… right?!
 
Of course, as with any calculation, the result should be used as a guide toward making an informed cap-ex budget decision.  It should not be taken as “gospel,” as any number of factors can affect the actual savings amount (e.g. price of natural gas, unusually harsh or mild winters).  But overall, an HVLS ROI calculation can provide valuable insight into current resource consumption issues, and identify potential air movement solutions.
 
Want to learn more about ROI calculations for HVLS fans?  Give your regional Patterson sales representative a call today, and let them introduce you to our High-5 fan. You’ll soon be spinning your way to lower heating costs this winter!  

​Well, guess what?  It’s summer again.  And – lo and behold – it’s scorching hot out there.  While the extreme heat may send you running for the nearest swimming pool, it can also cause reduced productivity and dangerous medical complications in the workplace.  Let’s dive a bit deeper. (See what I did there?)

Could your facility answer ‘yes’ to any or all of the following?

• Does employee productivity decrease during the summer months when temperatures are elevated?
• Do employees complain about the lack of airflow in the workplace?
• Do processes or equipment produce heat that could be dissipated by air circulators?
• Do certain manufacturing or assembly processes create a large amount of condensation?
• Are there products or components that should be cooled after manufacturing?

So what can be done to neutralize this formidable opponent?  How about the all-important one-two punch of air movement?

ONE: VENTILATE
Moving air through supply and exhaust ventilation not only cools the workplace environment and makes it more comfortable, it also helps control airborne contaminants. Industrial ventilation can also help prevent the buildup of noxious fumes, fire, and odors. Exhausting the hot air from your facility will go a long way toward keeping the temperature, humidity, and air quality at a safe level.


TWO: CIRCULATE
Without movement, air can stratify and stagnate, creating pockets and layers of hot, humid air. In addition, heat leaves our body more quickly when a breeze is present. Fans create airflow that quickly evaporates perspiration from our skin, carrying away heat. The airflow also reduces the thickness of the hot, humid layer of insulating air that builds up around our bodies, thus improving heat dissipation. In short, fans make our natural cooling mechanisms more efficient. Use high-volume, low-speed ceiling fans and portable fans to improve air circulation and natural cooling.


So there you have it!  The one-two punch to knockout heat stress and keep your employees safe, happy, and productive this summer.  And, as always, trust Patterson to be there with the right product for every air movement application.  From ventilation to circulation, Patterson’s got you covered!

Check the calendar.  Guess what?  It’s June.  What does that mean?  It’s going to get hot very soon (if it hasn’t already).  What else does it mean?  You’re going to want fans for your facility – lots of them – quickly.  Not only do you need them fast, you need them mounted and installed fast, too.  Well, we here at Strait Talk (and, yes, Patterson too) also have these goals, and we want to help you avoid any “hiccups” in the process.  So, whether it’s placing an order or tightening the last bolt, here are some tips to “breeze” through your Patterson experience!

• What is your application?  Are you trying to move air down aisles, pick modules, mezzanines, or in trailers?  Then take a look at Patterson’s line of high velocity fans or the new db.  Open areas?  Think about the High-5 HVLS ceiling fan.  Small area cooling?  Patterson’s Fabric Air Ducts, Drum Fans, Cage Fans, and Evaporative Spot Coolers will do the job.

• Know your electrical source.  Is it single phase or three phase power?  277 Volt?  Ordering the right motor type will save time, money, and the hassle of returns/reshipments.
• Will your desired fan fit in the designated area?  If you’re not sure, take some measurements and give your Patterson sales rep a call to discuss.  That’s what they’re here for!
• So your fans have arrived….great!  Now what?  Well, as a wise man (my father) once said, “When all else fails, read the instructions.”  Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with any installation instructions that came with your fan or fan mount.  If you ordered a High-5, pay special attention to the section on wiring the fan’s variable frequency drive (VFD).  Doing this may help answer some questions, and/or prevent any confusion for you (or your installer) during the setup process. 
• IMPORTANT!  All Patterson fans, regardless of type, come with a wiring schematic (usually printed on the nameplate of the motor).  Be sure to wire your fans exactly as shown.  In the case of a dual voltage motor, take care to select the correct wiring configuration based on your voltage level (usually 208-230 V or 460 V 3-phase service).  Have electrical questions?  Call before you connect – improper wiring can damage motors/VFDs and affect warranty coverage!
• ALSO IMPORTANT!  ALWAYS install all safe guards that come with your fan and/or mount.  They are designed to protect you, your personnel, and your facility in the unlikely event of a failure. 

So there you have it – some simple tips to make your fan buying experience smooth as silk from start to finish.  And as always, Patterson sales reps are standing by ready to dispense timely fan advice and provide free quotes for all your fan needs. 
​
Until next time, let’s keep ‘em cool out there!

When it comes to evaluating potential capital expenditure projects, one acronym stands above the rest – ROI, or return on investment.  If you’re considering HVLS fans, calculating ROI helps estimate the time period necessary for full payback in the form of energy savings.  But how are these calculations done, and what critical information is needed to do them?  Keep reading to find out!

Energy savings from HVLS fans are generally realized during the winter months, due to destratification (see Strait Talk, February 2015).  Because of this, knowing your heating cost and consumption information is vitally important, as HVLS fans can help reduce them both by up to 30%!*  Also important is the cost of your electricity, since heaters consume electrical power as well as natural gas when they are in use.  Other inputs that help “fine tune” your ROI calculation include:  facility square footage, hours of operation, number of heaters, heater voltage and amperage ratings, and average length of the winter heating season.

So how is all this data used to calculate ROI?  It all starts by estimating current resource consumption costs (both natural gas and electrical – I will spare you the boring formulas here).  Once a total consumption amount is determined, calculate a projected savings amount as a percentage of that total consumption (15-20% is usually a solid, conservative savings estimate).  Then, subtract your fan electrical costs (again, boring formula) from your savings – this is your net savings amount.  Finally, divide your net savings by the projected cost of your new fans and – Bob’s your uncle – you have ROI (in number of heating seasons)!  Pretty easy… right?!

Of course, as with any calculation, the result should be used as a guide toward making an informed cap-ex budget decision.  It should not be taken as “gospel,” as any number of factors can affect the actual savings amount (e.g. price of natural gas, unusually harsh or mild winters).  But overall, an HVLS ROI calculation can provide valuable insight into current resource consumption issues, and identify potential air movement solutions.

Want to learn more about ROI calculations for HVLS fans?  Give your regional Patterson sales representative a call today, and let them introduce you to our High-5 fan. You’ll soon be spinning your way to lower heating costs this winter! 
 
*Actual savings depend on heating costs, size of facility, number of fans, and other factors

Location, location, location!  Any real estate agent worth their salt knows these three “principles” are the key to finding a great home.  But location is also important when it comes to the placement of your HVLS (High Volume Low Speed) fans.  Putting the right fan, in the right place, at the right height will provide a comfortable work environment regardless of season.

As mentioned in a previous article, HVLS fans work best over open areas where air can move freely ceiling to floor, then outward in all directions.  For this reason, fans should not be placed near walls or other obstructions, since these may limit airflow and effective coverage area.  Ideally, each fan should be between 20 and 25 feet above the floor, using extensions (known as downrods) where necessary to achieve optimum height.  Facilities with very tall ceilings will need multiple fans spaced closer together to provide ample air movement at the working level, as ideal fan height may not be possible.

Other factors to consider when placing HVLS fans:

• Avoid mounting the fan underneath any area lighting.  This will prevent the “strobing effect” when the fan is in operation.

• Blade clearances are critical!  Hanging a fan too close to potential obstructions (chain suspended lighting for example) can create a safety hazard.  A good rule of thumb:  blade clearances should equal 15% of the fan’s diameter in all directions.  Example:  a 24 foot fan should not have any potential obstruction closer than 3.6 feet.

• Pay particular attention to the routing of the fan’s control cable (between the fan and the control keypad near the floor).  If possible, run this cable in conduit, or in such a way as to avoid lighting fixtures.  Doing so will reduce the possibility of signal noise and fan operational issues.

Still have questions?  As always, the air movement experts at Patterson are a phone call away!  Put their HVLS experience to work in your facility!

When deciding between a high velocity or high volume (HVLS) fan, one must first assess the given area - for while both achieve the goal of people cooling, each has its own set of requirements that maximize their effectiveness.

HVLS fans work best in open areas, where air can be accelerated vertically toward the floor, then outward in all directions.  Assembly and inspection lines, loading docks, and staging areas are all great examples where an HVLS fan would provide a comfortable working environment.

By contrast, high velocity fans provide horizontal air movement in more confined spaces, such as aisle ways, pick modules, or any area where material may be stacked floor to ceiling.  For more information on the best fan application for your facility, contact a Patterson sales rep today!    

“Warm air rises and cold air sinks” – anyone who’s taken a middle school science class has probably heard this fact at one time or another.  For now, we’ll skip over the details as to why this happens, because really, who wants to relive those awkward middle school years?!   But all jocularity aside, it’s this concept (commonly referred to as thermal stratification, or simply stratification) that’s straining the budgets of organizations like yours each and every winter.  Why?

Regardless of how you might heat your facility, the sad truth is much of that heat is lost to the ceiling space.  Because of this, heaters are forced to run more often in order to maintain their thermostat set points.  The colder it gets, the more they run, and the more you spend.  The end result is an uneven temperature profile (or gradient), whereby warmer air becomes trapped at the ceiling and the cooler, denser air sinks to the floor.  Depending on ceiling height, the temperature difference, floor to ceiling, can be as much as 15-20°F!

So now that we’ve identified the problem, can anything be done, and if so, how?  Thankfully the answer is yes, and the solution is Patterson’s High-5 HVLS (High Volume Low Speed) fan.   Think of this fan like the ceiling fans in your home, but on a much, MUCH larger scale.

The idea, known as de-stratification, works like this: strategically place a number of High-5 fans throughout your facility, and turn them on at a slow speed in the FORWARD direction*.  The fan should move air, but not create a breeze you can feel (a bit of experimentation will help you find the “sweet spot” for your building).  This will facilitate a mixing of warm and cool air in a vertical, circular pattern.  Over time, a continuous mixing of air will promote a more uniform temperature profile from floor to ceiling.

So how does this lower energy bills?  The key is the redistribution of warm air from the ceiling.  More warmth at the floor level means thermostat set points are maintained for longer intervals.  Heating cycles shorten in both frequency and duration, adding dollars back to your bottom line.  Realized savings could be 25-30% or more**!

Have more questions?  Want to learn more about the concept of destratification?  Contact the air movement experts here at Patterson Fan – The Authority in Air Movement!  With more than 25 years of fan experience, we’ll deliver a tailored High-5 solution that meets both your needs and your budget!
​

*Best results are achieved with the fan running slowly in the forward direction.  A common industry misconception is that these fans must be run in reverse for destratification.  While air mixing will occur in reverse, it is much less efficient.

**Actual savings depend on heating costs, size of facility, number of fans, and other factors.