What Is a Hybrid Fan?
A hybrid fan is a fan installed in a commercial air conditioner.
Conventional fans always rotate at a constant speed and consume more energy than necessary. Hybrid fans, however, use sensors to detect environmental conditions such as room temperature and humidity, and are controlled to operate at the optimal airflow rate. This enables comfortable air circulation with a minimum amount of energy required.
In addition, because they are easy to install and convenient to use regardless of the season, such as summer or winter, they are increasingly being used in offices and stores.
Applications of Hybrid Fans
Hybrid fans are used in homes and offices. Heating and cooling air is diffused throughout the room by the fan, reducing temperature bias and improving air conditioning efficiency.
The use is particularly effective because temperatures near the ceiling and floor often differ by 10°C or more. It is also said to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 20%. However, the unit price is high, and the initial investment is large, so it is necessary to make some adjustments such as installing the system in only a few places.
1. Applications of Hybrid Fans
Hybrid fans provide efficient air circulation in living rooms, bedrooms, and other living spaces. The uniform circulation of air in a room reduces temperature and humidity differences and provides a comfortable living environment. They also feature quietness due to electronic control, supporting a quiet living environment.
2. Office
Offices are places where many people gather, and air quality here is important. Hybrid fans utilize sensor information to replace air at the appropriate time, thus serving to keep the air fresh and improve work efficiency. They also do not produce sounds, allowing workers to maintain their concentration while working.
3. Public Spaces
Hybrid fans are also increasingly being used in public spaces such as commercial facilities, restaurants, and medical facilities. In places where people gather, air quality has a significant impact on comfort and coziness.
Hybrid fans maintain a comfortable space by automatically adjusting the appropriate air volume and rotation speed according to changes in the environment. Proper ventilation is especially important in medical settings where the spread of infectious diseases is a concern. Sensors monitor the environment and help maintain a clean air by providing appropriate ventilation as needed.
Principle of Hybrid Fans
The interior of a hybrid fan consists of roughly two main components:
1. Mechanical Fan
The mechanical fan is responsible for drawing in, compressing, and expelling air through rotating blades.
2. Electronic Control Unit
The electronic control unit processes sensor information to adjust fan speed and airflow, and sends appropriate control signals to the mechanical fan. While the rotating noise of conventional fans often causes noise, hybrid fans can minimize unpleasant noise because they operate at the appropriate speed based on sensor information through electronic control.
Features of Hybrid Fans
Hybrid fans are more efficient and quieter than conventional fans. They are also superior in that they provide a comfortable living space while decreasing the burden on the environment, but of course there are both advantages and disadvantages.
1. Advantages
There are four main advantages of using hybrid fans:
- They reduce direct airflow from heating and cooling and diffuse it throughout the room.
- Diffusion of direct airflow reduces the temperature difference between near the ceiling and near the floor, thereby increasing air conditioning efficiency.
- Increased air conditioning efficiency makes it possible to stay comfortable even if the temperature setting is changed by up to 3°C.
- Since the power source is the air from the air conditioner, there are no running costs such as electricity bills.
2. Disadvantages
While there are no running costs, the initial investment is large. The unit cost is about 30,000 yen, which is high if multiple units are to be installed.
However, depending on the size and conditions of the room, a certain effect can be expected even if it is installed in only a few places.