Five Common Uses for Exhaust Fans

chimney fan Air quality is something that we generally take for granted. But did you know that indoor air often contains a range of pollutants, allergens, moisture, and dust? To combat these airborne pollutants, exhaust fans are often used as means of ventilation. Here are five common uses for exhaust fans:

Kitchens
Many of us spend a majority of our time in the kitchen, but it’s also a place where we get creative. And every culinary creation runs the risk of odors, smoke, and grease. Whether for home or commercial uses, a kitchen exhaust fan helps remove odors, smoke, grease, and moisture from your kitchen.

Bathrooms
A lot of moisture builds up in bathrooms, due to showers, baths, and the resulting condensation. When this moisture accumulates on tiles and mirrors, the excess condensation can lead to the growth of mold spores. Bathroom exhaust fans are relatively expensive and easily eliminate this issue. If you’re looking to find an appropriately sized bathroom exhaust fan, simply measure the room’s volume and divide that number by five. Additionally, if your bathroom’s ceiling is exceptionally high (over eight feet), more than one vent may be required.

Chimney Fans
Having a chimney and fireplace is a luxury, particularly during the winter. However, chimneys always run the risk of poor drafting and ventilation, in result allowing smoke and odors to disperse in your home. In order to combat this, chimney fans are often used for ventilation. Chimney exhaust fans effectively drive smoke up the chimney flue and out of your home, in result creating a proper draft and a smoke-free home.

Industrial
In order to keep products cool and dry and to keep production standards high, commercial exhaust fans are extremely efficient and useful for commercial spaces and warehouses. Additionally, industrial exhaust fans de-fumigate, preventing any stale, or noxious air from remaining.

Hospitals
Believe it or not, the air inside of buildings can often be filled with more pollutants, allergens, and unwanted moisture than outside air. For buildings such as hospitals, air quality is extremely important for keeping patients at optimal health in an environment conducive to healing. Exhaust fans ensure that patients can undergo procedures and recovery in a clean, allergen and pollutant free environment. Laminar fans are particularly popular in hospitals, as they circulate air as fast as 300 times in one hour.

The Heart of the Home

What room from your childhood home do you remember the most? More than likely, it’s the kitchen. The kitchen is where you helped mom make chocolate chip cookies, where you sat around the table with your family for dinner, where you smelled those wonderful smells of pumpkin pie and fresh baked bread on Thanksgiving. The kitchen is often described as the “heart” of the home. It’s the one room in the house that everyone spends time in together.

The look and feel of your kitchen is important for setting the mood of your home. So when it starts looking run-down, out-of-date, hum-drum, it’s time to take action. It’s time to remodel your kitchen. Wow. That sounds scary! Kitchen remodels are complex, expensive and extremely inconvenient for the whole family. So where do you start?

The Man vs Woman Approach

For guys, the starting point is almost always the appliances. It’s not uncommon for a man to see a matching refrigerator, range and dishwasher set at Home Depot and boom, the plan is half drawn already! For ladies, it’s probably looking at Better Homes and Gardens or other image-rich resources for ideas and inspiration. But ladies make sure you don’t forget you need things like a kitchen exhaust fan along with your bold new color scheme and granite counter top!

Whichever route you take to draw up your plan, at some point, you have to have a plan. Your plan, or blue print, is your guide for everything you need to do to complete your remodel. There are many websites and software programs with tools to help you create a blue print for your kitchen. All you have to do is enter your measurements and the tool creates your blue print.

The Shopping List

Once you have your blue print, you’re going to need a shopping list. The basics, refrigerator, range, dishwasher and cabinets are going to be at the top of your list. This is where research and careful consideration to cost and efficiency will come into play for a successful remodel. Don’t buy the first cabinets you see that you like! Shop and compare! Then compile all your prices and estimates and make sure you’ve budgeted sufficient funds for your remodel. You may have to make a few changes to your plan, but the time to do that is before the contractor has already pulled out the kitchen sink. And don’t forget that kitchen exhaust fan!

Call A Professional

If you’re a real handyman, that’s great, but kitchens require plumbing and electrical expertise, and unless you’re a trained and credentialed plumber or electrician, you are going to be combing the yellow pages for a contractor sooner or later. Put the word out to your friends and family that you are looking for someone who has a good reputation for doing quality work, and who is trustworthy. Craig’s List and niche sites are abundant, but don’t sign a contract until you’ve gotten references and a written estimate.

Warehouse Ventilation 101

If you own a business or a retail company, at some point, you will most likely need to utilize a warehouse to store your products. Whether 3,000 square feet or 300,000 square feet, warehouses all have one thing in common…they need to be well ventilated. A poorly ventilated storage space can destroy all of your product—and your profits!

If your storage space is damp, mold can grow and metal products or parts can rust. If there are any chemicals in your products, the air can become contaminated and dangerous to humans. If your storage space is hot, products can melt or dry out. Without warehouse fans, it’s not a warehouse, it’s just a building.

If you want a well-ventilated warehouse, you need to use warehouse fans. Whether you need to dry, cool or de-fumigate a space, an exhaust fan is the way to go. Three questions to ask yourself before purchasing your warehouse fan: What is the volume, what is the purpose and what is the climate of the area you need to ventilate?

Terminology for Your Technology

A term used to refer to volume of air that a unit can move is “cubic feet per minute,” or CFTM. When you know the volume of the area you need to ventilate, calculate the cubic feet of space in that area. Then check the CFTM number on the fans you are looking to buy and determine how many are needed to ventilate your space.

Another term you should be familiar with is “water gauge,” or WG. This is a rating of the level of resistance air presents as it flows through a fan, such as with air heavy with water vapor or airborne particles.

What’s the Difference?

There are two types of industrial fans typically used in warehouses: the centrifugal fan and the axial fan. A centrifugal fan blows air out by using deflection and centrifugal force. The air exits the fan at a right angle. These are generally more powerful than axial fans but are also noisier. An axial fan moves air through propeller-type blades that rotate around an axis. The air flows in a linear path. Axial fans are less expensive and quieter than centrifugal fans, although they do not move the same volume of air. A very common type of axial warehouse fan is the large ceiling fan, also known as an HVLS—or “high volume, low speed” fan. This inexpensive option draws air up and mixes the cooler air from the lower space with the warmer air of the upper space and results in an overall cooling effect.

Whether you’re new to “Fandom” or if you’re seasoned pro, proper ventilation will keep you and your goods cool and dry.

What is a centrifugal blower?

Although there are a number of different types of fans they fall into one of two basic categories; axial or centrifugal; which are also referred to as radial fans. In most cases people are very aware of radial fans as this is what they have in their home, they can be desk or stand fans as well as wall mounted exhaust fans; even the fan on your car is a radial design as is the cooling fan for your computer.

Axial fans blow air in the same direction as the fan shaft whereas a centrifugal air blower draws air in and discharges it perpendicular to the fan shaft. Although both designs move air they have very different characteristics and uses. The axial fan has a series of blades similar to a propeller; these types of fans can move huge volumes of air but at relatively low pressure. Centrifugal fans on the other hand have curved blades and are used because the design allows the fan to develop high pressure which makes it ideal for certain air pollution control systems and other industrial applications.

A centrifugal air blower is made up of a fan wheel, housing and a drive mechanism and at times dampers for both the inlet and outlet. The fan wheel is the key to the function, the wheel is made from a series of blades which are mounted to a central hub; this wheel assembly rides on a fan shaft which passes through the housing. With an axial fan the air enters the fan from the back and exits straight through at the front air for a centrifugal fan enters the housing from the side and is discharged from the housing at 90 degrees to the direction of entry.

The wheel must be driven by a motor; the type of drive can be direct, with belts or variable speed. The type of drive design is that which determines the speed that the fan wheel rotates. In the case of a direct drive the wheel will mimic the speed of the motor and is fixed. When the speed of the fan wheel wants to be slower than that of the motor it is usually done with two pulleys of different diameters and drive belts. The difference in pulley sizes determines the ratio of input RPMs to output speed.

Because a centrifugal air blower can produce high air pressures it is used in such diverse applications as grain driers to greenhouse ventilation to HVAC applications.

Different types of kitchen ventilation

Kitchen exhaust fans are recommended for all kitchens, whether they are in residential homes or commercial enterprises. There are a number of different kitchen exhaust fans to choose from; they include the simple exhaust fan which is mounted in a wall or ceiling, range hoods and commercial exhaust systems.

Kitchen ventilation is a necessity as it is important to vent humidity from steam and cooking odors as well as air borne grease. Although in a domestic environment the greatest amount of humidity comes from boiling water on the stove top, it also comes from washing dishes with hot water. In those homes and commercial establishments where gas is the fuel of choice, it is also important that carbon monoxide fumes are also eliminated. There is also the issue with odors that must be eliminated and the most efficient way to do this is to pull them out with some sort of exhaust fan.

In many kitchens the owner will install either a ceiling mount exhaust fan or a wall mounted unit. In the case of a ceiling mount fan it is important that it be ducted outside whereas a wall mounted unit can fit neatly into a preformed cavity in the wall. There are many different sizes of these fans available, small units are preferred for the home while commercial kitchens will have significantly larger units.

A range hood is another type of kitchen exhaust fan. In this case a hood which has an integral exhaust fan is mounted above the cooking surface. When the fan is engaged the steam, grease and odors are pulled into the hood and then vented outdoors through a duct. This is the ideal way but there are also range hoods that are not vented, they filter the air which is then returned to the kitchen. This type of range hood is often preferred when the cooking surface is located against an interior wall and ducting is difficult.

Industrial kitchens such as those found in canteens, restaurants, hospitals, etc have all the same problems; just bigger. There is a huge amount of heat and steam generated in an industrial kitchen as well as a large amount of grease. In these cases the solution lies with a combination of devices. Normally there is a full length hood that spans all the cooking appliances, through one or more outlets the moisture, odors and grease are pulled out with the use of large industrial duty roof mounted centrifugal fans which are equipped with grease filters and dampers.

Regardless of the size of the kitchen, the fuel that is used or the location of the appliances there is a way to exhaust the hot, damp and odorous air.

What are ventilation exhaust fans used for?

The air we breathe can contain unwanted contaminates such as smoke, odors, moisture, dust and other particulates; ventilation exhaust fans are used to control the environment in which we live by removing these contaminates and venting them outdoors. Although exhaust fans are often stand alone devices they can also be integrated into heating and cooling systems. In a home the most common location for exhaust fans is the bathroom, kitchen and perhaps the laundry area and these fans are either included with a new home or reasonably easy to install in an existing home.

The classic installation area for ventilation exhaust fans are in kitchens and bathrooms. These areas, along with the laundry room have the tendency of getting very steamed up and odorous. Steam is something that promotes the rapid development of mold and mildew in a house as it can form on any damp surface. The exhaust fan can be run during bathing, cooking and doing the laundry to vent the air in the area to the outside, once there it simply disperses. The kitchen exhaust fan not only eliminates the steam from cooking, it rids the kitchen of cooking odors as well as smoke should the stove be equipped with an indoor grill.

Although the exhaust fans are primarily used to eliminate humidity and odors, they can also be used for climate control. During the warm summer months the fan can be used to push the warm air out, this creates a slight negative internal pressure which draws cooler air in from outside. Of course a lot has to do with the temperature of the day but in many cases ventilation exhaust fans can be used instead of costly air conditioning.

People have a tendency to think about their home when it comes to air quality but the situation is just as bad if not worse in factories, garages and other workshop spaces. In the home the issue is oriented to eliminate moisture and cooking odors, in a factory environment it is more than that. Factory areas can often have vapors which are potentially harmful to the employees. In cases like this industrial duty ventilation exhaust fans are used as part of a total pollution control system.

Any space can be vented with an exhaust fan; they are found in restaurants, storage warehouses as well as commercial spaces such as delicatessens, meat and fish markets and even hospital operating rooms.

The Importance of Having a Kitchen Exhaust Fan

Having a kitchen exhaust fan can be a vitally important part of your kitchen. It can afford your kitchen and your entire home with numerous benefits and there quite a few good reasons why you should make sure you have one installed.

Kitchen Exhaust Fans Are Important For Your Kitchen

Here at Brooklyn Fan & Blower, we realize that kitchens are most often where cooking takes place; therefore, they are the rooms of your house that can often become full of the smoke, moisture, and grease residue that results from cooking. These substances can potentially be unhealthy and can cause certain problems inside your home. Residual odors and smoke can very often stick to your walls, your ceilings, and even your floors and furniture. This can become especially difficult to get rid of, and sometimes it can even cause unwanted damage, which can ultimately end up costing you a lot of money. Our kitchen exhaust fans can facilitate the removal of the smoky, greasy, damage-causing substances and the potentially harmful pollutants that caused by cooking, and make your kitchen area a much cleaner and clearer environment.

Kitchen Exhaust Fans Are Important For Extraction Purposes

At Brooklyn Fan & Blower, we know that the primary purpose of using kitchen exhaust fans is for their comprehensive and thorough extraction ability. Kitchen exhaust fans are extremely effective when it comes to the extraction of air and any possible pollutants or other substances that may be present. Steam, smoke and/or unpleasant smells or odors can be present in the air at any give time. Kitchen exhaust fans are an important part of the general ventilation process because they can extract old and stagnant air out of your kitchen and allow it to escape through the external vents. This extraction process can help ensure that your kitchen as well as other rooms of your home does not end up filled with smoke, steam or any other unwanted substances. At Brooklyn Fan & Blower, we ensure that the overall outcome of this extraction process will ultimately result in a more comfortable home for you and your family, and a better quality of life.

It is a fact that higher the CFM of a kitchen extraction fan is, the higher its general extraction rate of pulling the air from the room will be. Kitchen exhaust fans with between 600 and 1400 CFM have powerful and efficient extraction abilities.

At Brooklyn Fan & Blower, you can be sure that we understand the importance of having a good kitchen exhaust fan. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service.

Prevent Problems in Your Attic with a Roof Exhaust Fan

It can be a very good idea to have a high quality roof exhaust fan, as roof exhaust fans can actually help to prevent certain issues and problems from occurring in your attic. Here at Brooklyn Fan & Blower, we know that there are a number of ways that roof exhaust fans can be important for the sake of your attic, and we can make sure you that you end up with a strong, efficient and dependable one.

Roof Exhaust Fans Can Provide Better Natural Ventilation

At Brooklyn Fan & Blower, we know that all roof exhaust fans are specifically designed to provide natural and effective ventilation. The primary purpose of the ventilation process is to replace stale, old and stagnant air with fresher air. By using this process, you can ultimately prevent certain minor issues in your attic from potentially becoming bigger and more serious problems. Roof exhaust fans can be used to prevent problems by eliminating humidity, unpleasant odors, and excessive moisture, and in doing so they facilitate the free flowing of fresh air into your attic.

What Ventilation Was Like in The Past

A long time ago, it used to be that ventilation was completely dependent on the use of structural windows and/or other similar openings. These windows and other comparable openings had two specific types of ventilation processes. These age-old ventilation processes were called wind driven ventilation and buoyancy driven ventilation. As the years progressed, so did the increase in air pollutants and the need for a way to create a fresher home and building environments. Therefore, as time went on, natural and mechanical air vent systems and roof exhaust fans were manufactured in much higher numbers.

Roof Exhaust Fans Today

At Brooklyn fan & Blowers, we can provide roof exhaust fans for virtually any and every type of house, dwelling or building structure. There are many benefits to using today’s roof exhaust fans, like minimal capital cost, absolutely no running costs, higher ventilation capacity, increased reliability and adaptability. The roof exhaust fans we provide for our customers are environmentally friendly and require no power usage. They are capable of extracting smoke, fumes, heat and a number of other substances and/or elements that can be in the air.

Because they are installed on the rooftop, our roof exhaust fans at Brooklyn Fan & Blowers force out any rising hot air and then pull in cooler, fresher air. We understand how important having a roof exhaust fan can be, and our high quality ventilation products can ultimately help you prevent numerous problems from ever occurring in your attic.

What are Bathroom Exhaust Fans?

Present day homes are built with excellent insulation, almost to the point where they are practically air tight. This is great when it comes to efficient heating and cooling but the downside is the poor air quality. It is important as the homeowner that you take effective action to enhance the quality of the inside air through mechanical ventilationBathroom exhaust fans are a natural as the bathroom in any house is invariably the dampest and perhaps the smelliest room in the house. Although bathrooms are targets for mechanical ventilation, kitchens, laundry rooms and even basements should also be ventilated.

What are bathroom exhaust fans?

They are called this as they are designed to be installed in a bathroom but the truth is they are just exhaust fans. An exhaust fan is a device that draws humid, stale and contaminated air from the interior of your home and depositing it outdoors, the result is fresher, dryer air in the home.

Types of exhaust fans:

Fans are classified as to the way in which they are mounted as well as the location, so you can get for example ceiling mount bathroom exhaust fans. As the name implies these are nothing more than exhaust fans which are installed in the ceiling of a bathroom. The fan is coupled to a duct that directs the stale, moist air outside through a vent.

Inline exhaust fans are installed in the ducting itself rather than through the ceiling or wall and then into a duct. This solution is a good one if there is insufficient clearance for ceiling mounted bathroom exhaust fans. The fan can be installed directly into the ductwork of the home and eventually the contaminated air will be exhausted.

There are other types of exhaust fans such as exterior remote installations but they really are not pertinent to exhausting stale, most air from bathrooms.

Advantages of exhaust fans:

The bathroom is that room in the house which is by far the dampest and everyone is well aware that damp areas attract mold and mildew. It is important in a bathroom not only to wipe the floor and walls of all residual water, but the moist air must be removed as well. It is not just mold and mildew, eventually very high humidity will take its toll on the paint, wallpaper and eventually the structure.

By installing bathroom exhaust fans you not only overcome these problems, you ventilate the house properly which enhances the quality of the air in the home.

A Few Tips on the Prevention of Condensation

Condensation is something that every homeowner should be concerned about as it is that which can cause the growth of mold and mildew and if given enough time, can do considerable structural damage to your home. There are a number of things that can be done to prevent condensation from happening; ensuring adequate ventilation and good air circulation are by far the most important. Installing bathroom vent fans is an excellent way to extract moisture from rooms that tend to have high humidity. Just because they are marketed as bathroom vent fans does not mean they cannot be installed in the laundry room. Other methods of combating condensation are to ensure that your windows are sealed well and that your home has the right insulation. Many homeowners find that a dehumidifier works well, especially during the hot, humid months of the year.

Without a doubt the best way to combat condensation is through proper ventilation, poor air movement allows the build-up of moisture in those areas of the home which are most prone. Make sure that all the central heating-air conditioning vents are open in the rooms and install bathroom vent fans to help with circulation. If you have a fireplace also make sure there is no obstruction in the chimney.

The installation of exhaust fans in the bathrooms and in the kitchen help immensely. Although there are kitchen vent hoods that deodorize the air these are of no value when it comes to combating condensation as they do not exhaust outdoors. The bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans must be connected by ducting to the outdoors. Make sure that these fans are used while showering and cooking, most circuits are tied in with a timer that will let the fans run for a half hour or so after the activity has ceased, this is a very good idea. Not only should you vent the bathroom and kitchen, make sure the clothes dryer is vented outside.

Condensation forms on windows which are not well sealed. Check the windows in your home and if there are missing or broken panes of glass or deteriorated glazing around the glass then have this replaced.

During the summer a dehumidifier works well in removing moisture from the air. Portable units can be wheeled from room to room, to those places where condensation appears. The total solution for dehumidifying is to have a central unit installed in basements which have poor air flow; this will help to prevent the formation of condensation in the rooms above.

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