"When it comes to indoor growing, not enough thought is being given to airflow," says Christian Avedon, Managing Director at Airius Fans. While it might not seem surprising for someone in his role to make such a statement — given that Airius specializes in jetted ceiling fans designed to enhance airflow in facilities — Christian's point is backed by substantial evidence, and it's about more than just energy efficiency. "Without air movement, CO2 can stifle, limiting the plants' oxygen exchange."
US National Botanic Gardens in Washington DC
Targeted Airflow
"It's like a sprinkler system," says Christian when he's asked to explain what 'targeted airflow' is. "We developed jetted fans with a nozzle on a stator system. It creates a very compact airflow, from the ceiling to the bottom, from a very small device." The combination of the device's compact size and powerful performance is what makes it particularly popular in the indoor growing industry. "The options for bladed fans are limited, given the importance of sunlight, or, in case of vertical farms, the tight rackings and installations like the actual sprinkler system," he says. "A more enclosed ventilation system is required. Our small devices take the ceiling air, drop it down to the floor where it bounces aside to the racks, after which the air goes up again. Thanks to our long projection of air, we minimize cold and hot spots."
Creating a homogeneous climate is key for growers to ensure even production. "Temperature variations inside a greenhouse can lead to inconsistencies in growing conditions, stressing the plants and reducing growth efficiency. Destratification fans redistribute warm air at the ceiling back to ground level, ensuring uniform temperature throughout the space. A gentle air movement strengthens the plant," Christian adds. "But there are more benefits, as pockets of high humidity can lead to fungal and bacterial diseases. Destratification fans create constant airflow, mitigating this issue." Some of the Airius models are also equipped with Patented Needle Point Bipolar Ionization (NPBI™), which neutralizes pathogens, bacteria, and molds in the air. Simultaneously, the fans are optimizing energy efficiency, by circulating hot or cool air around as needed. "By circulating air more efficiently, less energy is needed to heat or cool a space."
Still, he sees growers tend to overlook the airflow system. "It's not a critical piece of infrastructure," he understands. "We see growers pay more attention to maximizing the use of the cube in the case of vertical farming, or the wavelengths of the LED lights, or growing certain vegetables. But it would be better to look at the overall growing facility, and consider what minimal air movement does to your crop."
Growing environment improvement
One grower who recognized the importance of airflow is Timberline Gardens, a nursery in Colorado. After installing the devices, they noticed significant improvements in their growing environment. "By providing efficient air circulation and temperature control, the Air Pear Series fans have enhanced the overall climate, promoting healthier plants and more efficient energy use."
A photo from within the Timberline Gardens facility, where they cut heating costs with the Airius fans
Warehouse
Van Engelen Inc., a Connecticut-based distributor of Dutch flower bulbs, is another satisfied client. They leverage climate control technology to maintain optimal conditions in their warehouse. Maintaining consistent temperature and humidity is crucial for preserving the quality of their inventory. "The strategic use of Airius Model 45 and Model 25 fans at Van Engelen Inc. demonstrates the effectiveness of tailored air circulation solutions in managing complex climate requirements in distribution centers. This installation not only preserves the integrity of perishable inventory but also enhances the overall workflow and staff comfort." In the direct words of Alexander Vandenberg, "The fans help tremendously, keeping both temperature and humidity close to ideal levels. Their impact has been spectacular in moving air from the warehouse ceiling and keeping it circulating around the pallet racks."
Service
Airius goes beyond just providing products—they offer tailored services to meet each client's unique needs. "By designing customized systems, we ensure optimal performance for every project. Serving customers across North America, we supports our clients with a network of dealers and specialized technicians, offering assistance even after the delivery is complete."
For more information:
Airius
Christian Avedon
811 S. Sherman St.
Longmont, CO 80501
Direct: 720.204.1237
Email: [email protected]