What is an inline duct fan? And, how does an inline duct fan work? As experts in all things ventilation, these are two questions we're commonly asked by people just like you. That's why today, we're going to answer them both in great detail. By the end of this article, you'll have an in-depth understanding of the purpose inline fans serve and how they work.
As you'll soon discover, inline fans are a ventilation component that helps you pull or push air into or out of a space - whether it be a room, a building, or a grow tent. These can help cool your space passively on their own - or can be part of a more complex ventilation system. They're used to help manage temperature and humidity while removing stale air. Inline duct fans are used in a variety of applications - from commercial warehouses to residential spaces. However, their most common use is in grow rooms or grow tents.
Today, we'll cover all this and more - including where you can find the most reliable, efficient, and durable inline duct fans available online. First, let's address the first question at hand - what is an inline duct fan?
Inline duct fans, also known as inline fans or centrifugal fans, are a type of mechanical ventilation device. Or, in more simple terms, these are a very specific type of fans. They are most commonly used to move air in and out of grow tents, greenhouses, and other types of indoor growing spaces. They're used for a variety of purposes - including cooling, heating, filtering, and humidifying the air in your space. This is especially important in growing spaces because plants are so fickle - without the right levels of temperature and humidity, they won't grow to their full potential.
However, horticulture isn't the only application for inline duct fans. Inline fans are also used in commercial warehouses and office buildings to help improve indoor air quality and circulation. Using these is far more affordable than air conditioning, which is part of their appeal for large commercial spaces that are so costly to cool and ventilate. We also commonly see them used in homes, though. The point is that inline duct fans are used in all types of buildings.
Now that we've answered the question - what is an inline duct fan? - it's time to move on to how they work.
So, how do inline duct fans work?
Inline duct fans work by moving air through a duct, pipe, or hose using centrifugal force. This type of fan contains a set of blades that spin around at a high speed - this is what generates the centrifugal force required to move the air in spaces. the bigger the space, the bigger the fan must be to adequately move air. The spinning blades cause the air to move from the center of the fan outwards towards the edges. This movement creates low pressure in the center of the fan, which pulls air into it. The air then moves through the fan and is pushed out the other side.
That's the basic overview of how an inline duct fan works. But, we want to take things a bit further and explain exactly how they help actually work to cool your space, remove humidity, and freshen up the air. Or, in other words, how do you actually use these fans?
When you incorporate an inline duct fan into your ventilation system, they push hot, humid air out of your space and pull fresh, cool air in. This is how they help improve the temperature and humidity levels in your space. The inline fan is placed in a vent in your grow tent or room. It fits into your ducting, and when turned on, pulls air from the outside and pushes it through the duct. Then, the hot, humid air that's inside your space is pushed out through another duct or hose. For a more active ventilation system, you can have one intake fan bringing in the fresh air with a separate exhaust fan expelling old, hot, stale, stinky air. The difference between passive and active ventilation systems is a topic for another day.
This continuous exchange of air helps to regulate the temperature and humidity levels in your space - keeping them at optimal levels for plant growth. Of course, you'll need to use a thermostat and hygrometer to monitor these levels so that you can make adjustments as needed. This will dictate how frequently you turn your fan on - and how long it stays on. In some cases, the inline duct fan is left running 24/7.
There are two main types of inline duct fans: centrifugal and axial. Centrifugal fans, like we just discussed, use blades to spin the air and move it through the fan. Axial fans work in a similar way - however, instead of blades, they have vanes that look a bit like propellers. These vanes push the air directly through the center of the fan.
Both centrifugal and axial fans have their own benefits and drawbacks that you'll want to consider before making your purchase. Centrifugal fans are more efficient at moving large volumes of air than axial fans - however, they're also considerably louder. If noise is a concern for you, an axial fan may be the better choice. However, if you need to move a lot of air quickly, a centrifugal fan is likely your best bet.
There are also mixed-flow inline duct fans, which are a hybrid of the two main types. Mixed-flow inline duct fans combine the best features of both centrifugal and axial fans - they can move large volumes of air quickly and quietly. These are the most popular type of inline duct fan on the market today. And, when we discuss choosing your fan in greater detail later on, this is the type we'll ultimately recommend most people go with.
As we mentioned before, inline fans are commonly used in grow tents, grow rooms, and greenhouses to improve ventilation. In these spaces, plants can produce a lot of heat and release large amounts of water vapor into the air. This can create humid conditions that are perfect for mold and mildew to grow in. An inline fan will help to remove this excess heat and moisture from the air, keeping your plants healthy and happy.
Inline fans are also used in commercial warehouses and office buildings to improve ventilation and air circulation. In these spaces, inline fans can help to remove stuffy air and replace it with fresh, clean air. This can help to improve the overall indoor air quality in a space and make it more comfortable for employees to work in.
And finally, inline fans are also used in homes. They can be used to ventilate bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms - any space where odors or excess moisture might build up. Inline fans can also be used to circulate air throughout a home, making it more comfortable for the people who live there.
Note: when using an inline duct fan to expel odors and filter out VOCs, you want to pair it with a carbon filter. These are the best way to purify a space. In fact, there are inline fan and carbon filter combos on our site for those who want to make setting up a ventilation system as simple as possible. No guesswork is necessary!
We've covered all the basic information you need to know about how inline duct fans work - and now, the question becomes - what inline duct fan is right for you? Choosing the right fan is so crucial for a few reasons.
First and foremost, you want to get good value for the money. Not all fans are created equal, and you deserve one that operates effectively and efficiently. Some fans run much quieter than others too, which is important to keep in mind. A quality, efficient fan will save you money on your electric bill compared to the competition.
Furthermore, you need a fan you can rely on to keep your climate dialed in. The last thing you want is to come home from work to a hot, stinky house because your fan failed. Or worse, return to check on your plants to discover your crop is suffering heat stress or powdery mildew because your ventilation system stopped working. You can't put a price tag on reliability - but it's the most important factor to consider when shopping for an inline fan. And, for the most efficient, dependable inline duct fans in the industry, look no further than our selection at TerraBloom.
Our inline duct fans are the #1 choice among home growers and commercial cultivars alike. And, you'll find TerraBloom fans in commercial warehouses, food processing plants, laser engraving facilities, and homes around the world. What makes our fans so special, you ask? Simple - they're more efficient, reliable, and durable than anything else in the industry. What more could you ask for?
We use the latest and greatest inline fan motor technology - the EC motor. And with premium Japanese ball bearings, metal casing, and other levels of protection, these fans are built to withstand the rigors of an intense indoor growing environment. Plus, you can optimize your fan as you see fit with easy speed control using our inline fan speed controllers. By sizing up on your fan and turning down the power to a lower setting, you can get these fans super quiet.
Our fans' performance has been independently tested by the HVI and Energy Star. They've been deemed energy efficient, and thus, you can get rebates from your power company in some cases. No matter what, you'll end up saving money on your electric bill at least!
We have fans ranging from as small as 4" to as big as 12" - with options in between to accommodate any size space you have. On our site, you'll even find booster duct fans if your power needs are lower. The point is, we have your optimal ventilation solution waiting for you - you're just a few clicks away. Head over to the site and get the setup you deserve today!
Well, there you have it. We've answered the two main questions you came here with today:
We hope this resource has helped you gain clarity on the role inline duct fans play in ventilation. At this point, there's just one thing left to do - head over to the site and get your ventilation system dialed in today! If you have any questions along the way, we're here to help - don't hesitate to reach out. If you want to learn more about getting started with these fans, our guide on how to install inline duct fans is a great resource.
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If you wanted to pump water then it would be better to "push" and not "pull", since otherwise the pressure in the pump could drop too low such that cavitation could occur. But you are dealing with "pumping" a gas, for which this will not be a problem.
An effect which could alter the performance would be the angle of attack of the blades of the fan. If the fan would be placed at the beginning of the duct, and therefore pushing the air into the duct, then the air outside of the duct will be sucked in from all direction (assuming there is no duct in front of the fan). In the other situation the air will be sucked through the duct and therefore the velocity of all the air will be parallel to each other. The best option in this case I think would depend on design of the fan blades, such that the angle of attack of a blade (which also varies along the radius) would closest to optimal, however this might also change by increasing the rotational speed of the fan.
Another effect which might influence the performance would be the extra friction caused by a rotating air flow inside the duct (so for the push configuration). I do not have a good estimate on the order of magnitude of this friction, so it might be neglectable, however it would not occur in the "pull" configuration. Is therefore for this effect I would argue that "pull" configuration would be best.