Indoor air movement is important. In industrial, agricultural and commercial environments, healthy air circulation is especially crucial, helping to regulate temperatures, reduce HVAC-related energy costs, keep workers more comfortable and productive, as well as improve the lifespan of stored goods and machinery.
But what about sound? Is the best ceiling fan also whisper-quiet? Is it necessary to have a silent ceiling fan for it to be effective? If so, what are the quietest ceiling fans on the market, and what is the best quiet ceiling fan for your business?
The answers will depend on where you’re using your ceiling fan, of course. The noise made by a ceiling fan won’t matter as much in a busy warehouse full of loud machines, vehicles and workers, but in a church, restaurant, movie theatre or a library, a loud ceiling fan can be quite a distraction and just won’t do.
So what makes a quiet ceiling fan?
What Makes a Ceiling Fan Noisy?
There are a number of factors that can affect the volume of a ceiling fan. While not an exhaustive list, a noisy ceiling fan can be the result of some of the following:
- Balance issues or poor installation
- Craftsmanship and quality of materials
- Improper voltage levels or loose wiring
- Fan motor type (DC vs. AC)
- Number of blades
- Fan speed
Balance
The quietest ceiling fan will be one that is securely mounted and installed by experienced professionals (or mounted using the advice and instructions from an expert). This is just as true for an airport’s ceiling fan as it is for a bedroom ceiling fan.
Craftsmanship and Materials
Aside from the mounting and installation, the noise produced by a ceiling fan can often be reduced through the use of sturdier, thicker materials. For example, a thinner variety of stamped sheet metal would be less effective for quiet operation than would an iron, welded structure. In addition, the best quiet ceiling fan will usually be one assembled from precision-manufactured components.
Voltage and Electricity
Whether you’re interested in a low profile ceiling fan for your bedroom or several high-volume low-speed fans (HVLS fans) for an airplane hanger, if the fan is accidentally plugged into a dimmer switch, you will experience a buzzing or humming sound. Similarly, installing ceiling fans on circuit with multiple fixtures can lead to voltage issues that also create an unpleasant buzz. Always have an expert’s advice at the ready before installing.
Motor
Quiet ceiling fans are most often built with a DC motor. Besides being up to 70% more energy efficient, brushless DC motors tend to be quieter than others because they have permanent magnets, produce higher torque, and often run cooler. This stands in stark contrast to AC motors, which use electromagnets, run hotter, and are often associated with a humming or clicking sound.
Fan Blades
High-performance ceiling fans most often have high quality materials and are assembled according to a higher standard. Ceiling fan models with precision-crafted components and materials have the correct blade pitch and blade span, are less prone to noisy vibration, and are less likely to see their internal components loosen and cause a rotational imbalance or wobbling.
Number of Blades
Generally speaking, the more blades ceiling fans have, the more balanced the rotation. It follows then that the best quiet ceiling fans have more blades. And while ceiling fans designed for the home typically have three or four blades, larger HVLS fans – most often found in industrial and commercial operations – can have up to seven blades. Because of the large diameter and low rotation speed of HVLS fans, they are one of the quietest options you can choose.
Why HVLS Fans from Refresh Fans Run So Quietly
Refresh Fans specializes in the use of HVLS fans, and their products are made of the highest quality. Mostly used in industrial, commercial or agricultural applications, these fans check all the boxes mentioned above. The massive blades, top-quality construction, as well as their excellent motor, materials and craftsmanship make them a well-balanced, precision solution that delivers powerful air movement while staying almost completely silent.
Thanks to a gearless, maintenance-free motor and a special airfoil design, these fans can operate at a wide range of temperatures, boast a robust steel structure that guarantees a long life, and do so without making any noise.
Designed to be installed in rooms with high ceilings, Refresh Fans’ EQ range are versatile, and work well in any number of locations, such as in manufacturing facilities, in the auto industry, in shopping malls, at airports and sports centers, as well as inside greenhouses, cannabis production buildings, dairy farms and more.
HVLS fans are a great way to cut energy costs in an environmentally friendly way while improving productivity, whether you’re using them to cool your warehouse in the summer or redistribute warm air throughout your facility during the winter.
Interested in seeing how much an HVLS fan from Refresh Fans can save you? Take our Energy Audit to calculate your yearly energy savings ROI, or simply contact us for a quote. We’re always glad to share our expertise and discuss how one of our HVLS fans can improve your business.
