Have you ever tried to hold your breath for a while? If yes, you know after a while it feels like your lungs might burst. It’s the same case for rooms; they need ventilation to get fresh air. It might be a manufacturing area, office, or even a restaurant. If no air goes in and out, moisture will increase, supporting the growth of mildew and molds. But what do you have to consider before buying an exhaust fan?
Determine the static pressure
Any flowing system encounters resistance. For instance, if your blood pressure increases, the blood flow in your body is hindered. So, when you think of airflow systems, it’s the system air resistance or static pressure. Before picking a roof exhaust fan, you need to measure the static pressure to overcome the resistance. When calculating, you need to consider factors like the length of the duct, the number of twists and turns they have, friction loss from filters, supply grille, and air washer.
Airflow demand of the room
Before picking a fan, you need to know the expected volume of air that will pass through your system. It will specify how much power your fan needs to deliver. It’s known as the airflow rate and is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Knowing the airflow rate will help you pick the right one as all exhaust fans have a CFM rating. However, you should know that the airflow rate required depends on several factors. So, to be able to have the right rate, you can consult local building and safety codes for ventilation guidelines.
The noise level
All fans generate sound due to the spinning blades. The noise produced is known as the sone rating. So, before you pick a roof exhaust fan, you should check out the sone levels. In most cases, the sone level correlates with the CFM of the fan. So, always pick a balance between the fan’s power and how much noise you can handle. For example, in conference rooms where you need to hear people talk, the recommended sone levels are between 1.7 to 5. But for factories with heavy equipment, the sone level can go up and is 25 to 60
The energy efficiency
All ventilation fans must meet recommendations set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. For you to get an energy star rating, the roof exhaust fan must pass minimum efficacy levels, allowable noise, and performance. In addition, it will save you money from utility bills and reduce carbon due to its efficiency.
Picking the right exhaust fan can be challenging. However, if you have the right information to consider, you can never go wrong.