Whether you’re designing a new ventilation system, upgrading equipment, or troubleshooting airflow issues, choosing the right industrial fan is critical. But with so many options—axial, centrifugal, adjustable pitch, direct drive vs. belt—it can be difficult to know where to begin.
This guide walks you through the research journey, explains Hartzell Air Movement’s product lineup, and outlines key factors to help you make the best decision for your facility. With Hartzell, you also benefit from the industry’s only 5-year warranty, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.
Step 1: What Stage of Research Are You In?
Before choosing a fan, it helps to know where you are in the decision-making process. Here's how most buyers progress—and what to do at each stage.
1. Recognizing a Problem
You’ve noticed poor airflow, rising temperatures, or high energy use.
What to do next: Get familiar with different fan types and performance considerations. Start identifying how much air you need to move—and what’s getting in the way.
2. Researching Solutions
You're exploring how fans work and what your options are (axial, centrifugal, etc.).
What to do next: Understand airflow paths, pressure ratings, and the environments different fans are designed for. Consider things like air cleanliness, temperature, and noise sensitivity.
3. Comparing Products
You know roughly what you need and are evaluating models, sizes, and specs.
What to do next: Compare Hartzell’s fan categories, series, and materials of construction. Request performance curves or speak to an engineer to get recommendations and fine-tune your selection.
4. Making a Decision
You're ready to specify a fan, get a quote, or finalize a system design.
What to do next: Work with Hartzell's team for guidance based on your airflow needs, pressure drop, and environment. The Hartzell-FLOW software can create a 3D model in seconds! Find the right fan—and get it built to last.
Step 2: Explore Fan Options from Hartzell Air Movement
At Hartzell, fan selection starts with understanding how air needs to move: is it uncontained room air (general ventilation), or is it contaminated, hot, or under pressure (process ventilation)? Hartzell offers engineered solutions for both, backed by the industry’s only 5-year warranty.
1. General Ventilation Equipment
Hartzell Air Movement offers an array of quality-built general ventilation equipment to help move uncontained air more effectively than ever. Our selection includes dilution ventilation (intake, exhaust, filtered, and re-circulation) and personnel or equipment cooling.
Propeller Fans & Wall Ventilators
- Ring and panel fans (standard or reverse flow)
- Belted high-volume ring fans
- Sizes: 12” to 144”
- Airflows: 1,475 – 327,000 CFM
- Series: 01, 02, 08, 09, 10, 14
- Applications: General air exchange, smoke/fume removal, spot cooling
- Designed for personnel cooling, smoke diffusion, insect control, and equipment cooling
- Sizes: 20” – 48”
- Airflows: 4,168 – 32,700 CFM
- Series: 20, 21, 22, 23
- Applications: Warehouses, assembly lines, outdoor or semi-enclosed spaces
- Upblast, intake, recirculating, and swingout models
- Sizes: 12” – 84”
- Airflows: Up to 135,500 CFM
- Series: 15, 16, 17, 19, 26, 27, 61, 69, 69S
- Applications: Building exhaust, smoke evacuation, filtered roof intake
2. Process Ventilation Equipment
Built for tougher environments and engineered to handle dust, fumes, heat, corrosives, and high static pressure systems.
Axial Flow Fans
- Adjustable Pitch Vaneaxial Fans (Series 65–67): Airflows up to 200,000 CFM
- Fixed Pitch Vaneaxial Fans (Series 50–56): Up to 107,000 CFM, 10" SP
- Duct Axial Fans (Series 46–48): High airflow, low pressure
- General Axial Duct Fans (Series 31–39): Versatile designs
- Applications: Paint booths, cooling towers, process ventilation, exhaust ducts
Centrifugal Fans
- Backward Curved & Airfoil Fans (Series 03, 13): Efficient, quiet, clean air
- Radial Blade Fans (Series 05): Grease, particulates, heavy-duty air streams
- Plug & Inline Fans (Series 04, 12): Compact, duct-mounted options
- Turbo Blowers & High-Pressure Fans (Series 07, 07T): Pressures up to 60" SP
- Double-Wide, Swing-Out, and Flange-Mounted Models available
- Applications: Dust collection, combustion air, filtration, high-temp exhaust, material conveying
Product Matching Guide: What Fan Type Fits Your Application?
| Application Need | Recommended Fan Type | Product Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General building ventilation (intake/exhaust) | Propeller Fans, Wall Ventilators | 01, 02, 08, 09, 10, 14 | Great for dilution, exhaust, and fresh air supply |
| Spot or personnel cooling | Cool Blast Fans | 20, 21, 22, 23 | Portable or fixed; high airflow with focused coverage |
| Roof-mounted air movement | Roof Ventilators (Upblast, Intake, Reversible) | 15, 16, 17, 19, 26, 27, 61, 69, 69S | Prepackaged, easy-install rooftop units |
| High-volume, low-pressure ducted air | Axial Flow Fans (Fixed or Adjustable Pitch) | 31–39, 46–48, 50–56, 65–67 | Adjustable pitch allows flexible system balancing |
| Ducted systems with moderate static pressure | Vaneaxial or Duct Axial Fans | 46, 46V, 48, 48V, 50–56 | Use when layout requires directional airflow with moderate resistance |
| Dust, smoke, or particle-laden air | Centrifugal Fans (Radial Blade) | 05, 05F, 03S | Rugged designs handle dirty or sticky airstreams |
| High static pressure or resistance | Backward Curved Centrifugal Fans, Turbo Blowers | 03, 13, 07, 07T | Ideal for filters, duct runs, heat exchangers |
| Combustion air or pneumatic conveying | In-line Centrifugal or Plug Fans | 04, 12 | Compact and powerful; often VFD compatible |
| Corrosive air or chemical fumes | Fiberglass Axial or Centrifugal Fans | 28–35V, 40–43, 59, 82–88 | Lightweight, chemical-resistant; ideal for wastewater, labs |
| Limited access or low-maintenance settings | Direct Drive Models | Most Series offer Direct Drive | Lower maintenance—no belts or pulleys to adjust |
| Systems needing variable airflow | Adjustable Pitch Axial Fans or Belt Drive Configurations | 65–67 (Adjustable Pitch), most belt-driven | Allows fine-tuning to match seasonal or process demands |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right industrial fan requires more than matching airflow specs—it’s about selecting a tailored solution that fits your space, environment, and budget for the long term.
With Hartzell Air Movement, you get:
- Certified AMCA-tested performance
- Customized solutions
- ISO 9001:2015 quality standards
- The industry’s only 5-year warranty
- Support from experienced engineers
Need expert guidance? With over 150 years in business, you can trust Hartzell Air Movement’s extensive talent pool to bring their knowledge and experience to whatever challenge you’re facing!