Not all big fans are created equal, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the HVLS (High Volume, Low Speed) fan market. When you’re looking to invest in a powerful piece of technology like an industrial or commercial HVLS fan, details matter, and so do the differences. Below are some key comparisons between our fans and those of our competitors, including blade design, customization options, and warranty. Any time you’re ready to talk, we’re here. Just call 866-349-7644 or contact us to speak with a fan specialist to ask any questions and get a no-hassle quote.
BLADES, WINGLETS, AND SCIENCE
EPIC FANS
COMPETITORS
We've designed our fans with a five-blade configuration. Why? Because hundreds of hours of careful testing and computer modeling showed us that an odd number of blades is more efficient and less costly to operate.
HVLS fans made by competitors have an even-numbered blade configuration, which is proven to cause more turbulence and reduce efficiency.
Our blades incorporate a unique downturned winglet design supported by helicopter blade theory (and the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Texas), reducing trailing-blade turbulence, resulting in quieter and more efficient operation.
Competitors employ upturned winglets or no winglets at all, resulting in more trailing-blade turbulence, producing more drag on blades, increasing noise and reducing efficiency.
Not only do our winglets improve efficiency, they also increase the amount of airflow coverage by pushing air further away as it descends, increasing the range of perceived airflow on the ground.
Due to winglet and blade design that works more like an airplane than a helicopter, other HVLS fans keep the air column they produce closer to the diameter of the blades, resulting in less overall coverage.
EPIC FANS
We've designed our fans with a five-blade configuration. Why? Because hundreds of hours of careful testing and computer modeling showed us that an odd number of blades is more efficient and less costly to operate.
Our blades incorporate a unique downturned winglet design supported by helicopter blade theory (and the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Texas), reducing trailing-blade turbulence, resulting in quieter and more efficient operation.
Not only do our winglets improve efficiency, they also increase the amount of airflow coverage by pushing air further away as it descends, increasing the range of perceived airflow on the ground.
COMPETITORS
HVLS fans made by competitors have an even-numbered blade configuration, which is proven to cause more turbulence and reduce efficiency.
Competitors employ upturned winglets or no winglets at all, resulting in more trailing-blade turbulence, producing more drag on blades, increasing noise and reducing efficiency.
Due to winglet and blade design that works more like an airplane than a helicopter, other HVLS fans keep the air column they produce closer to the diameter of the blades, resulting in less overall coverage.
TRUE-REVERSE™ OPERATION FOR YEAR-ROUND VALUE
EPIC
COMPETITIORS
Epic fans were designed with all four seasons in mind. That means our fans are specifically designed to spin in reverse when desired, like in colder months when warm air wants to stay above ground level. In reverse, our fans continue to mix the warm air from the ceiling with the cooler air on the ground – otherwise known as "destratification" – warming the average air temperature without pushing the air downward and causing an unwanted chilly breeze.
Some other major HVLS fan manufacturers aren’t quite as focused on this aspect of fan operation, devoting less attention to assuring performance in both directions. Their recommendation to customers asking how to continue to benefit from their HVLS fan investment in cooler months: "run the fan at a slower speed."
EPIC
Epic fans were designed with all four seasons in mind. That means our fans are specifically designed to spin in reverse when desired, like in colder months when warm air wants to stay above ground level. In reverse, our fans continue to mix the warm air from the ceiling with the cooler air on the ground – otherwise known as "destratification" – warming the average air temperature without pushing the air downward and causing an unwanted chilly breeze.
COMPETITIORS
Some other major HVLS fan manufacturers aren’t quite as focused on this aspect of fan operation, devoting less attention to assuring performance in both directions. Their recommendation to customers asking how to continue to benefit from their HVLS fan investment in cooler months: "run the fan at a slower speed."
EASY INSTALLATION WITH NO PENALTY
EPIC FANS
COMPETITORS
You are welcome to install our fans yourself or to hire a technician of your choice, without impacting the warranty.
Some other companies reduce the coverage of their warranty unless installation is done by one of their installers, leaving you with far less choice in the cost and scheduling of your installation.
All our fans are shipped with all parts required and detailed instructions (also available for download on our website).
Some other HVLS fan manufacturers require additional parts for installation and do not make installation information readily available.
Our fans are easy to install and can generally be installed by a skilled electrician in under 2 hours with common tools.
Some competitors' fans require factory-certified technicians with specialized knowledge, holding your to their schedule and skill.
EPIC FANS
You are welcome to install our fans yourself or to hire a technician of your choice, without impacting the warranty.
All our fans are shipped with all parts required and detailed instructions (also available for download on our website).
Our fans are easy to install and can generally be installed by a skilled electrician in under 2 hours with common tools.
COMPETITORS
Some other companies reduce the coverage of their warranty unless installation is done by one of their installers, leaving you with far less choice in the cost and scheduling of your installation.
Some other HVLS fan manufacturers require additional parts for installation and do not make installation information readily available.
Some competitors' fans require factory-certified technicians with specialized knowledge, holding your to their schedule and skill.
WARRANTY
EPIC FANS
COMPETITORS
Our Apex commercial fans come with a 10-year warranty on parts and a 1-year warranty on labor. Our Colossus industrial fans come with a lifetime warranty on the blades, hub, and frame; a 15-year, non-prorated warranty on other parts; and a 1-year warranty on labor.
Some leading HVLS fan companies base their warranties on hours rather than years, making it nearly impossible to determine the length of the coverage, and giving you a disincentive to use your fans as much as you need.
DIY installation has no impact on our warranty.
Other manufacturers penalize you for not using their installers, in some cases reducing the length of coverage by more than half if you choose to install the fan yourself.
EPIC FANS
Our Apex commercial fans come with a 10-year warranty on parts and a 1-year warranty on labor. Our Colossus industrial fans come with a lifetime warranty on the blades, hub, and frame; a 15-year, non-prorated warranty on other parts; and a 1-year warranty on labor.
DIY installation has no impact on our warranty.
COMPETITORS
Some leading HVLS fan companies base their warranties on hours rather than years, making it nearly impossible to determine the length of the coverage, and giving you a disincentive to use your fans as much as you need.
Other manufacturers penalize you for not using their installers, in some cases reducing the length of coverage by more than half if you choose to install the fan yourself.
CUSTOMIZATION & DESIGN
EPIC FANS
COMPETITORS
We believe your fan should look as good as it works, which is why our Apex commercial fans come in 8 standard color options at no additional cost.
Some competitors charge extra for any color additions or changes at all.
We think our fans are the best-looking HVLS fans on the market, but don't listen to us: read what this Napa Valley Architect has to say about why our industrial good looks and wide array of customization options made choosing Epic fans an easy choice for a big project.
Call us biased, but we think other HVLS fans on the market tend to be bulky and unrefined, competing with architectural features, rather than becoming one – which is what we've designed our fans to do.
EPIC FANS
We believe your fan should look as good as it works, which is why our Apex commercial fans come in 8 standard color options at no additional cost.
We think our fans are the best-looking HVLS fans on the market, but don't listen to us: read what this Napa Valley Architect has to say about why our industrial good looks and wide array of customization options made choosing Epic fans an easy choice for a big project.
COMPETITORS
Some competitors charge extra for any color additions or changes at all.
Call us biased, but we think other HVLS fans on the market tend to be bulky and unrefined, competing with architectural features, rather than becoming one – which is what we've designed our fans to do.