- HVLS is an abbreviation of High Volume Low Speed. An HVLS fan is a mechanical fan typically with a diameter greater than 1,5 meters that moves large volumes of air at a very low rotational speed – unlike its smaller residential counterpart that most people are familiar with.
- Originally invented to address the needs of the dairy farming industry. When dairy cows experience heat stress, they become sluggish and their milk production goes down. HVLS fans provided an energy-efficient way to keep dairy cows comfortable. And, just like humans, farm animals that are breathing poor air quality develop health and performance issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Whereas high wind velocity indoors is both unpleasant and inefficient, the NORDIC™ HVLS fans move air slowly, consistently and evenly throughout any facility, creating a comfortable breeze without the typical associated draft. The large column of air distributed by a NORDIC™ HVLS fan travels further than that of a smaller fan. When this large air volume hits the floor, it moves horizontally in all directions.
- Smaller high-speed fans produce a high velocity jet of air that is turbulent and quicker to dissipate. In contrast, NORDIC™ HVLS fans are able to move a large mass of air while taking advantage of the inertia of the air itself. We tend to think of air as being weightless. In reality, air takes up a great deal of volume in any given facility. Therefore, far less power is required to keep air mass moving than to start that volume moving in the first place.
- In very large or open spaces where air-conditioning is impractical and cost prohibitive, the NORDIC™ HVLS fans can make a significant impact simply by keeping air moving.
NORDIC™ fans are designed and produced in Denmark, Europe. Created to address the European customers increasing demands for climate-friendly and effective solutions, produced locally.
NORDIC HVLS fans come in sizes ranging from 2 to 5 meters in diameter. The biggest HVLS fan covers an area of up to 500m2. This means that you would only need two of such to cover the space of an indoor sports arena.
All NORDIC HVLS fans operate in silence, with its maximum noise level being less than 45dB, even at its highest speed. The fans typically operate at half speed or below, where the sound levels are even lower.
Nordic HVLS fans are as optimized for colder periods, as they are for warmer ones. Due to cold air weighing more than hot air, there will always be an imbalance in a larger building’s heat layers, meaning that the hot air naturally always gravitate towards the ceiling. This uneven layering of the room’s temperature, coupled with the fact that temperature sensors are typically located at working height where the temperature is colder, means that the heating systems work harder to achieve optimal heating levels. In addition to this, many factories and facilities have their heating systems placed in the ceiling level, furthering the imbalance of the heat layers.
Operating the NORDIC HVLS fan in ‘Reverse Mode’ allows the fan to push the warm air trapped at ceiling level across the upper interior surface and down along the walls of the building. This ensures a balanced room temperature due to the efficient mix of the air, and thereby allowing the end-customer to save money on their heating bill.
The NORDIC™ HVLS fans are designed based on the lawsof physics and aerodynamics, incorporating the mostadvanced motor and airfoil technology to provide the highest possible efficiency.
The profile of a blade, the spacing, and the speed of the fan dictate how much airflow the fan can push. Originally, HVLS fans were designed with 10 blades. However, over time, and as motor technology has improved, blades were engineered with a larger airfoil shape, so that fewer blades were necessary for optimal performance and efficiency. As a result, the NORDIC™ HVLS fans are now down to a 5-blade configuration, delivering the same performance more efficiently than ever before.
Driving the NORDIC™ HVLS fans is the most advanced and patented direct drive motor available on the market. The lightweight motor has an ultra-high torque up to 10 times higher than a traditional AC induction motor. This completely eliminates the need for gearboxes, significantly reduce the total system hanging weight, and delivers operating efficiency of up to 92%. These numbers are unrivalled and the NORDIC™ HVLS system sets a new industry leading standard.
The 220V motor comes with fully integrated control electronics, wall mounted digital touchpad controller, forward/reverse and speed control functionality.
- In facilities where there is an existing mechanical cooling and heating (HVAC) system in place, the NORDIC™ HVLS fans work perfectly in tandem with these and help reduce the energy load on those systems.
- In cold climates, the NORDIC™ HVLS fan pushes the hot air across the ceiling and down to ground level without creating a draft effect, rather than letting it sit trapped at ceiling level. For example, many large industrial buildings typically have their heaters placed up high and that heat will remain trapped at ceiling-level without supporting fan action. This causes the building to have layers of uneven and uncomfortable temperatures.
- In addition to enhancing existing HVAC and natural ventilation systems, the NORDIC™ HVLS fans improve indoor air quality and ventilation. There is always a need for ventilation in enclosed spaces to remove the buildup of carbon dioxide, smoke, foul odors and smelly fumes. The NORDIC™ HVLS fans mix and move that air to prevent stagnation, eliminate condensation buildup and maintain an even room temperature without creating a draft.
Cold air is denser than hot air, so it drops to the ground while hot air rises to ceiling level. This process is called “stratification.” As a result of stratification, the thermostat in a room detects the colder air and works harder to reach the desired set point. This creates system inefficiency and results in higher operating costs for the facilities in question.
De-stratification is when the layers of air are blended together to create a uniform temperature throughout a space. In a stratified space, the NORDIC™ HVLS fans running in reverse mode, gently pushes the trapped hot air across the ceiling and eventually downwards to the occupant level, blending the different temperature layers into a uniform and comfortable temperature. This blending of hot and cold air decreases heat loss through the building envelope and reduces energy consumption.
Running in reverse mode is critical for destratification during the colder months, as it eliminates the wind chill during cold season, which has a negative impact on human comfort.
You can control up to five NORDIC™ HVLS fans from a single NORDIC™ wall-mounted controller. The individual NORDIC™ HVLS fans are “daisy chain” connected through standard ethernet cable.
Yes, of course. The Nordic Fan Company has a team of professionals standing by to help with installations across the country.
Yes. NORDIC™ fans come with a 2-year warranty from the delivery date.
Applications - Questions on where to use:
In restaurants and bars, fans should be both functional and an enhancement of the decor. As with lighting, furniture, and materials, fans help create the mood and atmosphere. The NORDIC™ fans are designed to be quiet and efficient even at low speed settings, maintaining a comfortable environment even as temperatures and crowds fluctuate.
In retail stores or public spaces with high ceilings, temperatures can vary widely from the ground to the upper levels. Installing a NORDIC™ HVLS fan evens these variations so that even in a theater, for example, audiences from the orchestra level to the balconies can be equally comfortable. The fans also improve efficiency in areas such as high-traffic lobbies by helping reduce the loss of conditioned air.
Gyms and fitness facilities can get hot, crowded and the air quality rapidly deteriorates without proper ventilation. Therefore, it’s vital to keep these facilities cool and comfortable for all patrons. Even if a fitness center has an existing HVAC system, the large spaces, high ceilings, and hard-working crowds are all taxing on the air conditioning systems, especially during summer.
In these scenarios, a NORDIC™ HVLS fan can be used alone or as a supplement to an HVAC system to enhance cooling and comfort. In cold seasons, the fans can destratify the air by running in reverse mode.
Studies by a number of universities and research institution shows, that poor air quality at educational institutions is the major cause behind learning and concentration problems among the students. Uncomfortably high carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and stagnant air is the primary cause for this problem.
Installing the silently running NORDIC™ HVLS fan is most likely the easiest and most cost-effective way to address the problem. The installed fan will ensure the air being gently circulated across the room and building, eliminating pockets of stagnant air with too high carbon dioxide levels.
An automotive dealership is these days typically an impressive all glass and steel building with heavy use of air-conditioning during the warmer months. However, air-conditioning typically creates colder and very uncomfortable zones with a cold draft. The NORDIC™ HVLS fan works in perfect conjunction with the installed HVAC system, distributing air and creating a much more pleasant indoor environment, while also reducing your electricity bill substantially.
Mechanical work in primarily un-airconditioned service centers can be very hot and dirty. With no HVAC, little to no insulation, open bay doors and running machinery, it is difficult for workers to get relief from the heat and limited natural air circulation. The NORDIC™ HVLS fans can cool the technicians without creating floor obstacles. They also help disperse odors and help circulate fresh air coming in through open bays, improving ventilation and air quality for employees.
Many factors in an industrial setting can make for uncomfortable working conditions. Among these factors are a lack of air-conditioning, excess heat generated by machinery, and fumes from all the processes inside a manufacturing center. The NORDIC™ HVLS fans are engineered to solve these problems by generating breezes for a perceived temperature drop of up to 5°C. In colder months, reverse circulation destratifies the air and keeps the space evenly warm and comfortable.
Cost management is another consideration in manufacturing environments. HVAC systems in larger facilities are very expensive to maintain, which results in higher operations and energy costs. The NORDIC™ HVLS fans help make the HVAC use more effective by enabling the users to raise the thermostat setting by 3-5 °C, resulting in significant energy savings.