Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Understanding destratification: How thermal stratification impacts indoor environments and increases costs

One of the basic principles of physics is that hot air rises.

This fundamental law of nature poses significant challenges for companies trying to maintain consistent temperatures throughout their buildings for processes, customers, staff, and stock. Inefficiencies in heating, cooling and air conditioning systems are costly and wasteful and these temperature differences can greatly impact energy expenses, staff productivity, customer experiences, carbon emissions and more.

What is thermal stratification and how does it create problems in maintaining constant temperatures

The problem arises from the formation of natural thermodynamic layers or ‘Thermal Stratification.’ Warm air rises while cool air falls, creating a temperature gradient from the warmest at the ceiling to the coldest at the floor. This results in buildings typically heating spaces from the top down, while cooled air becomes trapped in localised areas as it’s heavier and more difficult to circulate evenly. The larger and more open the space, the more problematic thermal stratification can be. (Find out more about the process of stratification and evolution of destratification fans here — The Missing Piece To The HVAC Puzzle)

What are destratification fans and how do they help?

In buildings taller than 4 metres, ceiling temperatures are higher than those at ground level, where conventional thermostats are usually placed. The temperature difference between layers can be substantial, depending on the design and architecture. The taller and more open a building is, the more likely it is to experience issues with thermal stratification.

Heating and/or cooling buildings effectively and efficiently requires a specialist solution and this is where destratification fan systems can help.

Destratification fan systems are designed to balance temperatures within buildings. These powerful, targeted fan systems constantly mix all the air in the space, pushing warmer air back down to ground level and breaking up the temperature layers. This continuous recirculation results in a more even temperature throughout, optimising environmental control, reducing energy bills and making it easier to maintain comfortable conditions for customers and employees.

Commercial benefits for business owners

When it comes to thermal stratification, there are two main issues that business owners need to be concerned about:

  • Unnecessarily High Energy Costs — As thermal stratification occurs, boilers and air-con systems are unnecessarily forced into action from the ‘false’ readings at ground level. Over-heating can then occur in spaces closer to the roof, or over-cooling in cold spots and difficult to circulate areas.
  • Environmental impact and Energy Use — In an era where companies are judged by their ‘green credentials’, increased use of energy raises the company’s carbon footprint. Customers who are more environmentally savvy can turn away from businesses where environmental standards fall short.

Helping the environment and saving you money

According to The Carbon Trust, destratification systems can reduce HVAC energy consumption by up to 20%. However, customers using the next generation of axial turbine destratification fans have reported reductions exceeding 50%. Investing in destratification technology can deliver significant long-term financial benefits and support a company’s environmental goals. Most businesses recover the cost of their destratification system within 8-18 months, with some achieving payback within a single season. In the case of Lush Cosmetics, the payback period was as short as one month — Lush Cosmetics Saves 61% On Heating In 1 Month

Destratification systems optimise heating by capturing the heat at the higher ceiling levels and forcing it downwards. To optimise cooling the fans are installed lower than ceiling height and focus on circulating the cooled air supplied by air con systems evenly within the space. In some cases, the controlled air movement generated by the fans is sufficient to provide cooling in the UK and similar climates. The more efficient the design and engineering, the more effective the solution is and the bigger the savings. Energy use is much lower, and temperatures in the workspace are more comfortable for everyone.

In recognition of the green benefits of installing a modern and energy efficient destratification systems many governments and finance providers offer subsidised (or otherwise incentivised) financial packages designed to encourage take up. For example, in the UK, Salix Funding offers 0% financing on eligible systems. And, across the EU, ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) funding is available for energy efficient projects.

Airius is a UK-based company dedicated to designing and installing world-class thermal destratification fan systems. Founded in 2004, Airius serves Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with additional offices in the USA and Australia. The company provides customers with a 120-day, no-questions-asked, full money-back guarantee and 5-year fan warranty, offering the reassurance and peace of mind needed when making an investment.

Web:  www.airius.co.uk

Email:  info@airius.co.uk

Tel:  01202 554200

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