What Is The Required Exhaust Fan Size For My Greenhouse?

The Greenhouse Fan CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) Calculator is a crucial tool for smaller-scale greenhouse setups, helping determine the ideal fan size. It simplifies the process of determining the ideal fan by calculating the total CFM’s and using our sizing chart to determine the size needed. For circulation fans, we recommend two rows of fans, totaling four fans in a 24 x 96 greenhouse (2,300 square feet). For greenhouse ventilation, ensure adequate air exchange by using roof and side vents, exhaust and intake fans, or other controllable air flow devices.

During the warmest months of the year, exhaust fans should be sized to provide at least one greenhouse volume air exchange per minute. The minimum ventilation fan CFM rating is 8’H x 8’W x 16’L = 1024 cfm. The recommended exhaust fan CFM is W x L x H x 0.85. For larger houses, use two fans to stage cooling in two or three different levels. For example, a 30′ x 96′ greenhouse would require 20,160 CFMs.

To find out the CFM rated fans you need, divide the total CFM by the required number of fans in the space. Then, pick the types of fans you need according to the total CFM. The Greenhouse Fan CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) Calculator is a vital tool tailored for smaller-scale greenhouse setups. In this blog post, we will explore the different aspects of greenhouse fans, including the type of fan needed, ideal fan placement, and appropriate fan size.


📹 Air circulation and fans in greenhouses

Looking to optimize your greenhouse operation? In this video, Tyler explains sufficient airflow for healthy crops to keep a …


How do you calculate fan size?

In order to select an appropriate ceiling fan for a given room, it is essential to consider the dimensions of the fan blade sweep in relation to the square footage of the room in question. In rooms with a surface area of up to 144 square feet, a fan with a blade sweep of 42 inches is recommended. For rooms between 144 and 225 square feet, a fan with a blade sweep of 44 inches is appropriate. In rooms larger than 225 square feet, a fan with a blade sweep of 52 inches is suitable.

How to calculate the exhaust fan capacity?

In order to calculate the cubic feet per minute (CFM) for an industrial exhaust fan, it is first necessary to determine the volume of the space in question (calculated as length x width x height) and then to multiply this figure by the required air changes per hour (ACH). The formula for calculating CFM is as follows: CFM = (Room Volume in Cubic Feet × ACH) / 60, where ACH represents air change per hour. CFM represents the unit of airflow, defined as cubic feet per minute.

How to choose a greenhouse fan?

Exhaust fans’ performance is measured by the cubic feet per minute (CFM) they can move. To achieve optimal ventilation, aim for one complete air exchange per minute, which can be calculated by multiplying the greenhouse’s volume by the desired air exchange rate. For winter ventilation, aim for two or three air changes per hour. Leaving fans on at night can help control temperature fluctuations and reduce condensation and fungal growth in regions with high humidity or specific plant growth stages.

How do I choose an exhaust fan size?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How do I choose an exhaust fan size?

When purchasing an exhaust fan, consider factors such as airflow requirements, energy consumption, and sweep size. Understanding the required airflow or CFM is crucial for effective ventilation. Energy-efficient models are recommended, and the fan’s sweep size refers to the diameter of the fan blades. Choosing the right exhaust fan size is essential for maintaining air quality, combating odors, and creating a comfortable indoor atmosphere.

Energy efficiency is crucial, as an oversized fan may consume unnecessary energy, while an undersized fan may struggle to achieve the desired air exchange rate, resulting in higher energy bills. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right exhaust fan size for optimal performance and comfort.

What happens if exhaust fan is too big?

The installation of oversized exhaust fans in confined spaces can result in the creation of drafts and a sensation of coldness. This is particularly likely to occur when the fan is more powerful than is necessary for the space in question.

How to calculate exhaust fan requirement?

In order to calculate the cubic feet per minute (CFM) for an industrial exhaust fan, it is first necessary to determine the volume of the space in question (calculated as length x width x height) and then to multiply this figure by the required air changes per hour (ACH). The formula for calculating CFM is as follows: CFM = (Room Volume in Cubic Feet × ACH) / 60, where ACH represents air change per hour. CFM represents the unit of airflow, defined as cubic feet per minute.

How do you calculate a greenhouse fan?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How do you calculate a greenhouse fan?

To calculate the total CFMs for a greenhouse, multiply the length and width of the greenhouse by 5 to get the total CFMs. For a 15′ Catamount style greenhouse, multiply by 5 to get 7, 200 CFMs per minute. For larger greenhouses, multiply by 7 to get 20, 160 CFMs per minute. For a gutter connect greenhouse, multiply width times length times (gutter height plus three feet) to get 26, 208 CFMs per minute.

For larger houses, use two fans to stage cooling in two or three different levels. For example, a 30′ x 96′ greenhouse would require two fans to move 10, 080 CFMs of air. Two 36″, 1/2 hp fans would meet the requirements.

Can an exhaust fan be too big?

Small fans can cause moisture issues, such as warped cabinetry and foggy mirrors, while large fans can cause cold and noise in bathrooms. The correct Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) is crucial for determining the air flow from a fan. Most bathroom exhaust fans have a CFM rating range of 50CFM to 30CFM, but some can reach up to 200CFM. The rating should be listed on the fan’s packaging or even organized by stores. All measurement methods aim for at least 8 air changes per hour, ensuring the bathroom’s air volume is completely replaced 8 times in 60 minutes.

How big should a greenhouse exhaust fan be?

Fan capacity in greenhouses should be able to exchange one square foot of air per square foot of area, with 14-16′ tall gutter connected greenhouses needing slightly more capacity. Fan efficiency can be improved by using fan cones outside the greenhouse. Exhaust fans force air through shutters to draw or push air in or out of the greenhouse. To work efficiently, the greenhouse must be sealed, with shutters and exhaust fans wired into a thermostat. Proper measurements of greenhouse length, width, sidewall height, height from top of end wall to peak, and greenhouse frame type are essential for proper fan sizing and efficient airflow.

How do I know what size exhaust I need?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How do I know what size exhaust I need?

To determine the necessary pipe diameter for headers and mufflers, use the old rule of 100 horsepower = 1″ of total pipe diameter across the system. For example, a 500 horsepower engine needs a 2. 5″ dual exhaust. However, this is a rough estimate and complex mathematical formulas can help determine the perfect pipe size. Tests and research using Max Racing Exhaust products on almost all cars have shown the results. Muffler diameter is also important for performance and sound.

Choose between low deep growl sounds or eye-catching sound on the road. There are multiple options available, and you can listen to some of Max Racing Exhaust’s offerings and check if the muffler specification suits your vehicle.

What are the two types of fans used in a greenhouse?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What are the two types of fans used in a greenhouse?

Centrifugal fans are employed in grain drying applications to facilitate the movement of air against a considerable degree of static pressure. Conversely, propeller fans are the most prevalent in greenhouse ventilation, with other varieties of axial flow fans also utilized.


📹 How Many FANS are NEEDED in a GREENHOUSE?

Want to grow your own food, and use automation to control it??? You need fans to move that air around. This is a multi part series …


What Is The Required Exhaust Fan Size For My Greenhouse?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

6 comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Perhaps the loss of you crop due to fungal infestation was due to the settling of the spores in the micro humid areas around your top watered micro green growing trays? Be aware that even when you bottom water your crop, you will still get accumulated moisture around your greens as the plants themselves will aspirate as they photosynthesis during the day. I suggest that you may need to have air movement much closer to the actual action to interrupt the fungal parties.

  • It seems like an industrial version of a Venmar air exchanger makes more sense than that giant exhaust fan. It allows you to bring in the fresh and minimize the heat loss due to it having an efficient heat exchanger. Not to mention it would bring in a lower humidity air from outside which would help with moisture.

  • If you can find them they are called DC motor fans they’re a little bit more efficient than your normal AC motor fans I’ve seen them around where I live in use but I have no idea where people have purchased them they’re usually in industrial cages they are a slow startup but they use less power might be something to do some research on if you’re running that many fans. I know for us when we heat our Cottage we always run our ceiling fans on low to push the air around slowly as to not create a cooling effect but I imagine you’re going for moving more air over the slight heat loss.

  • Just when everything is running perfect… seems there’s something a little of on your camera’s auto-focus. It isn’t major but it is doing a focus correction throughout the parts where you’re on camera and nearby. You may want to slow down the speed so it is even less noticeable.. best suggestion. Everything else is great and it isn’t really distracting but thought you should know because this can become a bigger issue down the line.

  • Great series of article. Thanks for the great content and educational. Also very interesting get my gears turning.. Why don’t you try to install ventelation ducking to consentrating sir flow over the micro greens. I believe this if you install more fans might just cancel the current of air… Hmmm less is more sometimes.. Like stone in a pond the ripple affects.. If I’m correct. Just wanted to share my thoughts. Thank again for the great content

  • You should have enough CFM flowing to exchange the entire volume of air at least once in the greenhouse every 30 minutes (some would say faster) to produce proper supplementation, that’s if you aren’t going to supplement with co2 generators. You should really look into carbon filters/HEPA filters, especially after your mildew outbreak. You can get speed controllers for fans. More expensive to get started up but has the potential to save your crop in the future. Heating greenhouses are not cheap. Some companies spend up to $40,000 a month in the cold season (per greenhouse) to heat properly and insure sustainability, but those are also multimillion dollar grows. Gotta keep in mind if you can’t get the equipment you need due to lack of funds, you will have major obstacles. Best of luck Martian!