Exhaust fans are some of the most convenient equipment for maintaining healthy indoor air quality, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and big warehouses. As they draw stale or humid air to the outdoors, they consequently protect the structural integrity of a home or workplace. They also help fight the build-up of mold and mildew, which can become health hazards if not addressed immediately.
Buyers who are looking for an exhaust fan face several considerations. To name a few, these include the dimensions of their room and the size of exhaust fan it needs, product and maintenance costs, a fan’s safety features, and other technical details that affect noise production and energy efficiency.
There is also one question that is often asked yet rarely well-understood. Once you start browsing through your choices of exhaust fans, you will inevitably encounter belt drive as well as direct drive exhaust fans. But what do these two things mean? How are they different, and how can you know which type is fitting for your needs?
HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
The most fundamental and obvious difference between the belt drive and direct drive exhaust fans--and even ordinary fans or blowers--lies in their construction. A belt drive fan, as its name suggests, works with the use of at least one fan belt or what is also commonly called a serpentine belt. This belt connects the fan blades to the motor, which then drives the blades to move when the device is turned on.
A direct drive fan, on the other hand, uses either a shaft or fan axle to rotate the fan blades along with the movement of the motor. This results in the two components, the blades and the motor, rotating at the same speed.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?
Belt-drive exhaust fans are generally cheaper than their direct drive counterparts. Also, one of their most significant advantages is the flexibility they allow with regards to the RPM speed. Users have the freedom to accelerate or decelerate its rotation speed simply by adjusting the pulley on the motor or the setscrew that secures the pulley in its place.
However, because the blades and motor are not directly attached to each other, transmission losses are incurred during the fan operation--which translates to increased energy costs. Belt drive exhaust fans also require more maintenance, especially because the fan belt will eventually require tightening or replacement.
On the other hand, direct drive fans are generally more expensive but also more energy-efficient. They require little to maintenance and, because they are more compact, are generally more lightweight than belt drive fans
To choose between these two types of fans, you should consider the pros and cons mentioned above. Also, to reduce maintenance costs, you may opt to buy an exhaust fan with a permanently lubricated motor. This eliminates the need to grease the motor, which is often required by most models of exhaust fans.
For more information about exhaust fans, visit https://engineerwarehouse.com/collections/exhaust-fans.
