Every workshop has a few shop fans rattling away in the corners. They are cheap, loud, and they move air right in front of them, which is exactly the problem. If you have ever stood three feet away from a shop fan and still felt the heat, you already know their main limitation. Here is an honest look at shop fans and the upgrade most serious shops eventually make.
What shop fans do well
Shop fans, including drum fans, pedestal fans, and high-velocity blowers, are inexpensive and portable. For spot cooling one workbench or pushing air toward an open bay door, they get the job done. If your space is small, a couple of shop fans may be all you need.
Where shop fans fall short
- Narrow coverage. Airflow drops off fast, so the far end of the shop stays hot.
- Noise. High-RPM motors are loud, which makes communication and concentration harder.
- Clutter and cords. Floor fans take up space and create trip hazards.
- Energy creep. Running several fans all day adds up on the power bill.
The industrial upgrade: HVLS
An HVLS (high volume, low speed) overhead fan solves the coverage problem by moving a wide, slow column of air across the whole shop from above. One overhead fan can replace a row of floor units, clear the clutter, drop the noise, and cool the entire bay evenly. We make the full case in why pros replace shop fans with HVLS fans.
Is your shop a good fit?
HVLS works best in shops with open floor plans and ceilings of roughly 10 feet or more, which covers most auto shops, fabrication shops, and large garages. Even an 8-foot HVLS fan can transform a two- or three-bay shop.
Tired of shop fans that only cool the person standing in front of them? Request a free quote and we will size an overhead fan for your shop.
