If you need a large ceiling fan, this guide has you covered.
In this review, you will learn:
- Our #1 top pick for the best industrial ceiling fan
- Choosing CFM or fan speed
- How they work (high volume and low speed or HVLS)
- And more!
Large diameter ceiling fans are your best bet if you need to move a large amount of air in a warehouse, shop, or garage!
These commercial ceiling fans move significantly more air than a typical 5-blade ceiling fan in a house, and the CFM (fan speed) can go as high as 10,000-cfm.
I have done the research and chosen a list of the best large industrial ceiling fans on the market. Check out my comparison table below or keep reading for buying tips!
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Best Overall | Big Air 96″ Industrial Ceiling Fan
|
| View on Amazon |
 | Xtreme H20 Commercial Ceiling Fan
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Westinghouse Lighting Shop Ceiling Fan
|
| View on Amazon | |
Best Compact  | Best Compact | Westinghouse 3-Blade Heavy Duty Ceiling Fan
|
| View on Amazon |
Most CFM  | Most CFM | Big Air 108-inch Large Industrial Ceiling Fan
|
| View on Amazon |
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
- For large rooms up to 2,600-SF!
- 13,000-CFM on high speed
- Very quiet with DC motor
- 9 aluminum fan blades for more airflow
My top choice for the best industrial ceiling fan for commercial spaces goes to the Big Air by Maxxair brand because it has a diameter of 96-inches and it's rated at 13,000-CFM to move a tremendous amount of air for rooms up to 2,600-SF. The powerful and ultra-efficient DC motor will ventilate any large area efficiently and with low noise!
The 5 Best Industrial Ceiling Fans
Short on time? Check out our top 5 industrial ceiling fans here! Keep reading to learn the details on each pick and commonly asked questions.
What Is A Heavy Duty Ceiling Fan?
Large ceiling fans are typically much wider than your standard house ceiling fan. These high volume low speed (HVLS) ceiling fans are perfect for warehouses, barns, workshops, factories, stores, or even residential great rooms with high ceilings.
Wide Spans
These commercial ceiling fans can have a span as wide as 9+ feet, while your typical bedroom ceiling fan is only 4-feet wide. Heavy duty ceiling fans aren't big for no reason however, the longer blades allow them to move significantly more air. They usually have at least 6 fan blades but sometimes have 8, 9, 10 or more blades.
The higher number of long and narrow fan blades makes big ceiling fans more efficient and allows them to run at much lower speeds than conventional ceiling fans. Many large industrial ceiling fans also have winglets or blade tip fences which help reduce noise.
High CFM Rating
Their CFM rating (cubic feet per minute) for the ceiling fan tells you how much air it can move in one minute. The CFM rating is much higher with industrial ceiling fans, frequently 10,000-cfm to 40,000-cfm. In contrast, the average home ceiling fan is rated at around 4000-5000 CFM.
Blade Strength
The fan blade quality is also much stronger and durable than regular ceiling fans. Since the blades are so long, wood or cheap plastic just won't work. The fan blades are typically made out of aluminum, steel, or high grade plastic.
Read Also >> What Are The Best High CFM Ceiling Fans For Residential Properties?
How Big Ceiling Fans Work?
Heavy duty (large span) ceiling fans work differently than conventional ceiling fans.
Since these ceiling fans are so large, they push a big column of air downwards, and when it reaches ground level, it results in a horizontal floor jet according to Wikipedia. A smaller ceiling fan with higher RPMs simply cannot achieve the same effect.
The blades are much longer, more numerous, and narrower than traditional fans.
This allows industrial ceilings to move much greater volumes of air but with less rotational speed (RPM). Since they move more air at less speed, they are highly efficient to operate at low cost and minimal noise.
Industrial ceiling fans accelerate skin evaporation which can make people feel cooler and can reduce the room temperature by 8°F or more.
How To Pick The Best Commercial Ceiling Fan?
1. CFM Rating And Room Size
One of the most important spec to consider when buying an industrial ceiling fan is the CFM rating and recommended room size. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and it is a measurement of how much air the ceiling fan can move in 60 seconds.
The average ceiling fans that are in most residential properties have a CFM rating between 3,000-cfm to 4,000-cfm. However, most commercial grade ceiling fans have a CFM rating of 7,000-cfm and all the way up to 40,000-cfm.
Always check with the manufacturer for the recommended room size for the ceiling fan.
RELATED: How Much Weight Can A Ceiling Fan Hold?
2. Minimum Ceiling Height
Another metric you will need to consider is the minimum ceiling height recommended by the manufacturer.
With most big shop ceiling fans, it needs a minimum ceiling height of 10-feet due to it's high CFM and it's wide span. Since these ceiling fans are so big and have a high velocity or CFM, it can be dangerous to install these fans on lower ceilings.
3. Downrod Size
Large ceiling fans usually don't have adjustable downrods, and your purchase will come with a default downrod size such as 6-inches.
However, if you want a longer or shorter downrod size, you should check with the manufacturer to see whether you can get a different height. You may not be able to buy an off market downrod for that ceiling fan, so you should verify that you can change the downrod before the purchase.
4. Remote Control
Large shop ceiling fans normally come with remote controls or wall mounted remote control just like residential fans but always check with the manufacturer.
Some ceiling fans allow multiple remote controls to be used at the same time such as with the Big Air 96" commercial ceiling fan. This means that you can use one remote control to turn a ceiling fan at high speed, and use the second remote to turn another ceiling fan on low speed.
This is only achievable because there is a switch on the back of the Big Air remote controls that prevents interference.
5. Reversible Fan Direction
Most ceiling fans allow you to reverse the fan direction from downwards to upwards airflow (or vice versa) — but please verify this feature with the manufacturer.
In hot weather, you want the large shop ceiling fan to blow air downwards, but when it is cold, you want the ceiling fan to suck air upwards towards the ceiling (in order to disburse heat).
Read Also >> How To Balance A Ceiling Fan Without A Balancing Kit?
What Are The Different Types of Shop Ceiling Fans?
Ceiling fans for warehouses can have different features, but pretty much all of them are significantly wider with narrow and long fan blades.
Indoor Vs Outdoor
Many ceiling fans are rated for indoor and outdoor use, but you need to confirm it with the manufacturer. If it is rated for outdoor use, this means it can be used outside in a covered space such as a patio, and it is damp rated. And since it is outdoor rated, it means that it can be used indoors also.
Light Fixtures
As a rule, commercial ceiling fans don't come with light fixtures, but sometimes you can find one that does have a light, or you may be able to buy a light hub for the ceiling fan (purchased separately).
Read Also >> What Are The Top Low Profile Ceiling Fans With Lights?
What Are The Risks of Large Ceiling Fans?
Property owners should be aware of the inherent risks of big HVLS ceiling fans just as with all industrial products.
The great thing about these fans is that they move a tremendous amount of air, but it also means that fires can be accelerated in buildings without sprinkler systems. Smoke detectors may also be disrupted and not work as well as they should.
The NFPA recommends that HVLS ceiling fans be programmed to shut off immediately once a fire alarm system becomes activated.
Please check all of the relevant building codes in relation to high volume ceiling fans.
Our Reviews of the Best Industrial Ceiling Fans
The Big Air is an excellent industrial ceiling made by Maxxair based in Texas. It has a large span of 96-inches and has a whopping 13,000-cfm rating on high speed so it can move a lot of air.
It is rated for rooms up to 2,600-SF and it has a sleek and contemporary shop ceiling fan is great for warehouses, barns, factories, and other industrial spaces.
It comes with a remote control that can be used for multiple ceiling fans at once. This means that you can control one fan on the end of a warehouse to be on low speed—and a fan on the other side at high speed. The blades are reversible so this overhead shop ceiling fan can be used to disburse heat during winter and cold during summer.
The motor is an ultra-efficient DC motor that is up to 65% more efficient than the older AC ceiling fan motors. The Big Air includes 6 different fan speeds for ventilation flexibility.
Pros
Cons
The Xtreme H20 is a great looking industrial style ceiling fan that is over 9,000-cfm at high speed.
It has an 8 blade design that spans 84 inches or 7 feet in order to move a lot of air in your warehouse, great room, shop, or garage. The Xtreme H20 comes with a 6-inch downrod, but you can also choose to install a smaller or longer downrod up to 60-inches.
I love the look of this commercial grade ceiling fan since it has a smoky iron finish with a contemporary look — it is also rated for indoor or outdoor use.
This large ceiling fan has 6 fan speeds, and there is an optional hub that can be installed that comes with a 20-watt LED light.
Pros
Cons
The Widespan by Westinghouse Lighting is a 100-inch (over 8-feet) industrial size ceiling fan that has a great look and moves a lot of air.
This overhead shop ceiling fan clocks in at an amazing 19,094-cfm to move a ton of air at low speeds.
This ceiling fan needs to be installed at least 10-feet from the floor and is perfect for industrial spaces like warehouses, shops, garages, and other large spaces.
The Widespan comes with a matte black 6-blade design, and it is rated for indoor or outdoor use (damp locations). The high quality DC motor is very efficient and keeps the ceiling fan noise to a minimum.
Westinghouse is one of the most trusted companies for high quality ceiling fans and has a global reach.
Pros
Cons
This 3-Blade large shop ceiling fan by Westinghouse is a really nice addition to any high ceiling living room, retail space, warehouse, garage, or shop.
At high speed, this commercial ceiling fan is rated at 4833-cfm and will move a lot of air (for rooms up to 400-sf).
It uses 5 different fan speeds, has a 56-inch span, comes with a remote control, and it uses a 12-inch downrod (great for high ceilings).
The three fan blades are made out of steel with a nickel brushed finish which provides a sleek industrial look for any room. This 3-blade industrial fan comes with a 15 year limited warranty on the motor, and two years on the parts.
Pros
Cons
The Big Air 108-inch is the highest CFM rated industrial size ceiling fan on my list.
It is rated for an astounding 40,000-cfm on its high speed setting to move an exceptional amount of air for your factory, warehouse, barn, store, gym, or large residential room.
The Big Air 108" is rated for indoor or covered outdoor use such as a patio, and it comes with 6 long fan blades and 9 fan speeds.
This large ceiling fan has a great look with fire engine red blades to give some flair to any environment. The red paint is also automotive grade paint for a long lasting durability in tough industrial spaces.
Pros
Cons
Our #1 top rated pick for the best heavy duty ceiling fan is the Big Air 96" by Maxxair company. Here's why...
1. High CFM For Large Rooms
This large ceiling fan has a very high CFM rating of 13,000-cfm at high speed so it can ventilate large living rooms, warehouses, garages, or shops. It is perfect for buildings or rooms up to 2,600 square feet in size.
2. Aluminum Fan Blades
The Big Air has 9 aluminum fan blades in order to push the most air. The fan blades are light, durable, and look fantastic.
3. Control Multiple Fans
If you buy multiple Big Air ceiling fans, each remote has a switch on the back in order to isolate it from the other fans. This means that each remote can individually control a ceiling fan without interfering with the other ceiling fans. Property owners can put one Big Air at high speed and put another one on low speed.
4. Damp Rated
The Big Air is damp rated which means that it can be installed outdoors as long as there is a cover from the elements.
Read Also >> Why Does My Ceiling Fan Hum?
Final Thoughts
Commercial ceiling fans are a great addition to a garage, warehouse, store, workshop, factory, or large room. The installation is usually trickier than a standard ceiling fan, and you will likely need help with the installation, and may even need to use temporary scaffolding.
Large ceiling fans take up more space, but they also move much more air. They are known as HVLS ceiling fans or high volume low speed. Since the fan blades are so long, they can move air at a lower rotational speed.
I hope you enjoyed our guide on commercial ceiling fans.
