Ventilation is important in a barn as heat stress and poor air quality can be detrimental, affecting the cows' well-being and the farm's bottom line. The failure to implement adequate ventilation and cooling systems can lead to decreased dry matter intake, reduced milk production, hindered reproduction rates, and stunted growth in calves and heifers. However, VES-Artex offers a game-changing solution in the form of ECV (Effective Cooling Velocity) fans in both belt drive and direct drive options. These innovative fans provide many benefits, effectively combating the challenges of heat stress and poor air quality, thus improving farm productivity.

What are the Benefits of Using ECV Fans?

Effective Cooling with Directional Louvers: Traditional ventilation systems often fall short in direction and control, leaving areas of the barn inadequately cooled. ECV fans are equipped with directional louvers that enable precise targeting of airflow, effectively cooling where it is needed most - at cow level

Optimized Airflow: ECV circulating fans can create air speeds of up to 800 feet per minute (4 meters per second) in a tunnel-ventilated barn, offering an optimal environment for your herd. The directional louvers are crucial in maintaining consistent airspeed, ensuring a focused and smooth airflow. This results in a comfortable and stress-free atmosphere for your herd, supporting their health and productivity.

Sizing and Layout Flexibility: ECV fans prove their versatility as a single 72-inch ECV fan can cover an impressive area of 60 feet by 20 feet (18 meters by 6 meters), making them suitable for tunnel-ventilated, cross-ventilated and naturally-ventilated barns. This adaptability ensures that ECV fans can be strategically positioned to deliver optimal ventilation regardless of the barn's design.

Energy Efficiency: One standout advantage of ECV fans is their wider and longer coverage area compared to conventional panel fans. Imagine the impact of being able to cool more cows with fewer fans. In a 120-foot section of stalls, only two 72-inch ECV fans are needed to replace a staggering six 50-inch panel fans. This efficiency not only translates to significant energy savings but also contributes to a reduced carbon footprint by reducing the number of fans required for effective cooling. 

What Makes ECV Fans Better Than Panel Fans?

An ECV fan is superior to a panel fan due to its performance and efficiency. Their directional louvers efficiently target airflow directly onto the cows to create a focused, smooth circulation that maintains optimal airspeed. The energy-efficient nature of the fans sets them apart, using minimal energy to provide highly effective and controlled airflow within the cow space. In contrast, traditional panel fans struggle with turbulent airflow patterns, resulting in quick airspeed loss and uneven cooling. Airflow widens quickly and does not stay in cow space when using panel fans. It takes six to eight 50” panel fans to cover the same area as two 72” ECV fans. Even a 50" panel fan only covers an area of 30ft x 12.5ft (9 m x 3.8 m), highlighting the clear advantage of ECV circulating fans regarding coverage, precision, and energy efficiency.

Innovative solutions are essential as challenges posed by heat stress and air quality continue to threaten dairy productivity and profitability. ECV fans address the shortcomings of traditional ventilation systems and provide dairy producers with a powerful tool to combat heat stress and air quality. Dairy producers have even seen an 18-month payback after the initial investment on ECV fans. With their directional louvers, wider coverage, optimized airflow, and energy efficiency, these fans are a game-changer in the dairy industry. By implementing these powered louvered fans, dairy producers can create a more comfortable and productive environment for their herd while reaping the benefits of improved milk production, increased feed efficiency, decreased mastitis, less peak milk loss from early lactation, increased pregnancy rate & decreased early embryonic death, and overall farm success.