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Need quieter exhaust fan or evaporative cooler

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by Armando, Aug 30, 2009.

  1. Aug 30, 2009 #1
    Armando

    Armando Hobbyist gone wild

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    I have installed in my greenhouse 2 x 24" exhaust fans. I have shutters+wet wall on the other end of the greenhouse. The fans are these ones:

    http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Shutter-Fan/productinfo/FA-VSF-/

    It turned out that 2 fans was overkill and I only use one now. The other one is like a backup. I tried to slow them down with a speed control but they were getting overheated, since the fan is designed to cool off with the air going through it.

    Problem I am having is that this fan is VERY NOISY!!! I need to replace it with a much quieter fan. I am not sure if installing 2 smaller fans would help with the noise or it would be just as noisy.

    Or alternatively I would completely eliminate the exhaust fan + wet wall and install an evaporative cooler. But then I don't know how much noise the evaporative cooler would make, and it would be more expensive to buy it.

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Aug 30, 2009 #2
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    Squirrelcage fans are much quieter than propeller types.
     
  3. Aug 30, 2009 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I use swamp coolers and am very happy with them. When I have been in greenhouses with big exhaust fans, the noise is enough to make you shout to be heard. The motor on a swamp cooler is outside the greenhouse and even outside it isn't intrusive. You didn't say how big your greenhouse is.
     
  4. Aug 30, 2009 #4
    Armando

    Armando Hobbyist gone wild

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    Thank you for the comments! Marni I don't mind the noise myself inside the greenhouse. The goal is to make it less noisy for the neighbors. The GH is 16'x24'
     
  5. Aug 30, 2009 #5
    Candace

    Candace Kept Woman Supporting Member

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    Are the neighbors complaining?
     
  6. Aug 30, 2009 #6
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Certainly not such a big greenhouse that a swamp cooler couldn't work. But Dale's suggestion of using a squirrel cage (that's what is in the swamp cooler) instead of a blade fan might be a cheaper, easier fix. Good luck.
     
  7. Aug 30, 2009 #7
    Armando

    Armando Hobbyist gone wild

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    I am looking up swamp coolers and squirrel cage fans, leaning towards the swamp cooler setup. It would have other benefits - more light and plant space after the wet wall goes away, etc.

    Candace currently there are no neighbors too close but i'm moving (GH is being relocated too!) and there will be neighbors closeby.
     
  8. Aug 30, 2009 #8
    Candace

    Candace Kept Woman Supporting Member

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    ACK!!!! That will be a huge project for sure. My swamp cooler makes some noise...I'm actually concerned my new g.h. evap. cooler will bother folks as it would be close to the fence line. It may be as loud or louder than a small exhaust fan. ?? Of course people have spas, pool and pond pumps etc. that neighbors just have to live with.
     
  9. Oct 19, 2009 #9
    Armando

    Armando Hobbyist gone wild

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    Where can I find such squirrel cage fans?
     
  10. Oct 19, 2009 #10
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    Grainger