Stable Ventilation with Solar Roof Ventilator

BY SOLAIR
Big Ass Fans don't extract heat or cool down a space, but a Solar Whiz works to keep heat from building as soon as the sun rises.

Horse owners can now maintain their animals’ health while being environmentally conscious by using a solar roof ventilator fan for stable ventilation, as well as shed ventilation to control air quality.

The Solar Whiz roof ventilators keep horses comfortable in stables where temperatures can vary from 12ºC up to 44ºc, depending on the season, the age, and the weight of the horses.

“Good air quality is essential for minimising respiratory health problems,” says Solar Whiz managing Director Arne Hachmann. “This starts with good horse stable ventilation, which also helps protect the horse’s stable structure from moisture damage by reducing condensation and moisture levels.

“By using the Solar Whiz roof ventilation high volume gable or solar roof fan for ventilation in horse’s stable, you allow Mother Nature to control the air quality cost-free, every day.”

Veterinarian studies show that correct stable humidity is vital. Very dry air with low relative humidity dries the horse’s nasal mucosa and can be a source of dust and pathogen infiltration into the horse’s respiratory system. Very moist air with high relative humidity combined with low air temperature can reduce the insulative properties of a horse’s hair coat.

According to Equine Veterinarian and Consultant Nutritionist Dr. J H Stewart in his paper ‘Exercise & heat stress’ (published in 02/2006):

“Episodes of bleeding are more frequent in summer and are associated with poor stable air quality. The incidence is reduced in dust-free stables. Hay, raw grains, and bedding are the major sources of stable air contaminants, in terms of respirable particles, fungal spores, and bacterial fragments.” A well-ventilated stable will keep high levels of moisture or gases under control.

About The Solar Whiz Roof Ventilator

The Solar Whiz is a powerful solar-powered roof ventilator that operates completely off the grid and is ideal for stable ventilation. Being solar-based there is no fire risk via wiring or sparking. The fan blade is a four-wing polymeric blade designed for high speed and low noise.

By drawing high volumes of air (from 2100 m3/hr up to 10,000 m3/hr depending on models), the solar-powered roof fan eliminates heat build-up, reducing heat load, which is radiated back down on lower ceilings or directly onto the horses. This results in consistently lower internal temperatures, cleaner internal air, and a greatly reduced risk of heat stress placed on horses.

The Solar Whiz roof vent will also run cost-free, every day with zero carbon emissions. It switches itself on and off automatically via the sun. Designed to fit most roof types with corrosion-resistant materials, the Solar Whiz roof ventilation system has a lightweight body (12kg), is maintenance-free, and has a simple installation process. It can also be gable end mounted. This is the perfect and cost-effective solution to overheating and ventilation in rural, standalone, working stables, barns, or warehouses.

Why Solar Whiz Roof Ventilator for Stable Ventilation?

Moisture-Holding Capacity

Air has the capacity to hold moisture in water vapour form. The amount of moisture held by a fixed volume of air (relative humidity, or RH) increases as the temperature of that air rises. For example, cold outside air has little moisture-holding capacity, whereas warm air has significant moisture-holding capacity. For every 10°C increase in temperature, the moisture-holding capacity of air approximately doubles.

Thermal Buoyancy of Air

Warm air is less dense than cold air, so it is lighter and rises. This principle works well in natural ventilation systems where the warmer stable air, caused by body heat, is allowed to rise up and exhaust in a peak vent or chimney. Reliant on external ambient temperatures, the greater the temperature difference between inside the stable and outside – the larger the uplift or buoyancy force will be. Relying on buoyancy is not very effective in warm weather since there is little temperature difference between the inside and outside. For these conditions, what’s needed is a summer breeze or mechanical forced ventilation.

Natural Ventilation System

Natural roof vents ventilation systems are quieter than most fan systems and can provide daylight, but require more management to maintain uniform temperature and air quality inside the horse stable.

Orientation is key, the length of the building must be perpendicular to the prevailing wind. Obstructions around the stable prevent fresh air movement, especially when located within heavy tree-lined sites.

Another challenge with natural ventilation systems is condensation on building surfaces. When the warm, moist air rises to be evacuated out of the stable, it comes in contact with the cold surfaces of the roof, creating condensation. This can deteriorate building components and is uncomfortable for horses and workers. Open roof surfaces on high UV days will also radiate extreme heat downwards.

Fan-Ventilated Stable

In fan-ventilated stables, the air exchange and distribution are forced mechanically. Since every fan creates a small vacuum, all openings in the structure become sources of air. For this reason, it is important that properly designed air inlets are provided to ensure adequate horse stable ventilation.

Mains electricity fans need constant maintenance to ensure electrical supplies and connections are clean and safe to eliminate the risk of sparking which would in turn ignite most materials within a stable.