Wall-mount fans are a great way to keep a variety of spaces cool without taking up floor space. They are available in several styles and finishes, and you can even find wall-mount misting fans for cool relief during the hottest days of summer.
These fans can be found in home gyms, workshops, greenhouses, garages, and outdoor patios, as well as industrial spaces, outdoor venues, food trucks, stables, barns, and more. The wide assortment of models on the market allows you to make the best decision and select a fan that is suitable for the environment where it will be used.
To find a specific topic in this article, select from the links below:
- What are the Differences Between Wall Mount and Ceiling Fans?
- What Size Wall Mount Fan Do I Need?
- How Do You Install a Wall Mount Fan?
- How High Should a Wall Mount Fan Be Installed?
- Where Can a Wall Mount Fan Be Used?
- Still Have Questions?
What are the Differences Between Wall Mount & Ceiling Fans?
While both wall-mount and ceiling fans add cooling air circulation during warm seasons, and don’t take up floor space, there are a couple of important differences you may want to consider before purchasing.
- Wall Mount Fans: Wall mount fans create more directional airflow, and many have an automatic oscillation feature or a pivoting head that can be positioned to direct that air where you most need it. While these versatile fans don’t require hard-wiring, they do need to be mounted on a wall and usually come with the mounting hardware included. Then simply plug them into a standard 120V outlet. There are some models that can be used with a 220-240V power source, if needed.
- Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans not only provide cooling airflow in the summer, they can also provide destratification—pulling warm air down into living spaces during the winter—by setting them to circulate in the clockwise position. However, they are normally hard-wired into the ceiling and, depending on your knowledge and skill, they may require outside help to install. If this sounds like what you may need, take a look at our selection of ceiling fans.
What Size Wall Mount Fan Do I Need?
Determining the size of the fan you need doesn’t have to be complicated. Knowing the size of your space and a quick look at airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM) is all you need.
If you want to be more specific, you can calculate the volume of your space (L x W x H) and then divide that number by the maximum CFM for the fan. This will give you the number of air changes per hour (ACH).
If you know how many ACH you want, you can multiply the volume of your space by that number and divide by 60 to find the CFM needed to achieve it.
If you’re not a math person, but want to know the numbers, this is a handy ACH calculator you can use.
Example: 450 square feet x 8-foot ceilings = 3,600 cubic feet
3,600 cubic feet x 6 (ACH) = 21,600
21,600 / 60 minutes = 360 CFM
How Do You Install a Wall Mount Fan?
Installation is fairly simple, but it should be mounted into a wood stud or concrete wall, and not just into drywall. Tools you may need can include an electronic stud finder, drill, and screwdriver. Remember to read your owner’s manual and all applicable manufacturer’s literature for proper installation.
How High Should a Wall Mount Fan Be Installed?
Most wall-mounted fans do not have specific clearances from the ceiling, but should be able to clear it while stationary, oscillating, or while in the extreme position of a pivoting fan-head. The same is true for the mounting distance from an adjacent wall if mounted near a corner.
Where Can a Wall Mount Fan Be Used?
Whether you’re a weekend DIY homeowner working in the garage or workshop, a greenhouse or indoor grower, or a restaurateur trying to keep patrons comfortable, you can find a wall-mount fan to meet your needs.
- Commercial Spaces: Any commercial or industrial space without ducted ventilation needs air circulation and, when floor space is at a premium, a wall-mount fan is a great solution. Small warehouses or packing/assembly lines, outdoor eating areas, food trucks, groomers, salons, and many other businesses can benefit from using a wall-mounted fan to keep things comfortable.
- Greenhouses and Indoor Grow Areas: Greenhouses and growing spaces need a significant amount of airflow and circulation. With the addition of grow lights, dehumidifiers, and water usage, adequate ventilation is required for Even temperature distribution, reduction in mildew and plant rot, and plant respiration.
See our selection of commercial wall-mount fans here.
- Garages and Workshops: Garages, sheds, and workshops are subject to hot conditions, usually because they lack air conditioning or cross-room window ventilation. Tight working areas may also lack adequate floor space or a window, making a floor fan or portable air conditioner impractical. A wall-mount fan can provide much-needed airflow for more comfortable conditions.
- Residential Use: With people spending more time at home, basements, home gyms, playrooms, and other areas may need additional air circulation to avoid stale air and stuffiness. When floor space is limited, or the room is awkwardly angled or tightly constructed, ventilation can be difficult. A wall-mount fan is a safe way to generate needed airflow, even into tight spaces or corners, without endangering children and pets.
Check out additional household fans and heavy-duty fans that may work best for your home, garage, or workspace.
- Outdoor Spaces: Outdoor decks and patios are gathering spots for homeowners and restaurant or café-owners alike. Other outdoor work areas, like loading docks, flea markets, and outdoor shops, can also benefit from a cooling mist. Where limited space, occupancy, and heat are factors, a wall-mounted misting fan may be a potential solution.
- Cooling and Moisturizing: Especially useful in drier climates, you can cool down outdoor spaces while enjoying added moisture to dry air.
- Allergen and Bug Reduction: The fine water droplets dispersed by the misting fan airflow can keep allergens like pollen and dust, as well as small insects, at bay.
- Odor Control: Water in the form of mist helps to control odors, always a consideration when working or dining outside.
Keep these things in mind when considering a misting fan: Most do have maximum height requirements for mounting, and if the fan does not have a water reservoir, you will need a water source for connecting the supply line to the fan.
Still Have Questions?
If you’re still confused about what fan may be suitable for your space, give our knowledgeable Sylvane sales staff a call at 1-800-934-9194, and they will be glad to assist you in your selection. You can also connect with us on the Sylvane Facebook and Twitter pages.
