3 Standout Commercial Air Movers for Water Damage Restoration

If you’re in the market for air movers, this brief guide is designed to help you. But it has an intriguing twist: Each air mover we mention has an out-of-the-ordinary feature that could be beneficial for your business. Keep reading to discover what makes these models worth considering – and also to see some sage advice for selecting and using commercial air movers.

1. Primo Portability

PHOENIX Focus II Compact Axial Air Mover

Designed to be the most compact and portable fan in its class, this dual axial air mover can be transported easily from location to location. It is half the size of standard low-profile air movers (just 21″ x 8-1/4″ x 9-3/8”) and weighs only 15.5 pounds. This reduces the weight that technicians have to carry, to help protect them from injuries. Plus, rugged, molded-in handles give users solid control when packing, unpacking and moving the Focus II. Therefore, if portability is a primary goal, this might be the right air mover for you.

Applications:

• Multiple uses for varied water-damage job sites
• For drying walls, cabinets, stairs, or ceilings, the Phoenix Focus II is stable on all five sides, so you can adjust the drying position as needed for maximum flexibility
  
  

2. Unobtrusive Operation

DRI-EAZ Stealth AV3000 Axial Air Mover

“Stealth” is a perfect name for this model because it features low-noise Stealth™ fan blades for quieter operation. In fact, the sound level, on average, is just 58–72 dB. For reference, normal conversation averages around 60-70 dB. So, this air mover operates with about the same amount of sound. In fact, the manufacturer claims that no other axial fan delivers quieter operation AND long-throw-high velocity airflow. That means this unit is ideal for job sites where maximum noise control is an important objective. 

Applications:

• Walls, floors and ceilings in various settings
• Quickly adjust the Stealth’s angle of attack to direct its airflow exactly where it’s needed most

3. Handy Handling

XPOWER P-830H-BLUE Centrifugal Air Mover

If you have ever used a suitcase that has a telescopic handle and smooth-rolling wheels, then you know how that combination can be super beneficial. Well, this air mover features that same luggage-style design for roll-and-go ease. Just pop up the handle and tote it anywhere. No lifting and carrying required. 

Applications:

• Designed to quickly and effectively dry large areas in commercial and residential applications
• Multiple positioning angles allow the unit to dry carpets, floors walls and ceilings

Similar Models with Lower Horsepower:

• XPOWER P-800H 3/4 HP Air Mover
• XPOWER P-630HC 1/2 HP Air Mover

Other Things to Consider When Selecting Air Movers for Your Business

Brand Reputation

It's crucial to focus on leading brands that are known for their high quality and reliable performance. The PHOENIX, DR-EAZ and XPOWER brands certainly meet those criteria. Other popular brands include B-Air, Soleaire and Maxx Air.

Key Features

Of course, portability, quiet operation and easy handling – offered by the three models we listed above – are attractive features. But you’ll want to consider other important attributes as well:

• High CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratings for powerful air flow that ensures efficient drying
• Multiple speed settings for versatility in different drying scenarios
• A strong body and durable construction to withstand frequent use and transport
• Overall size (larger units will occupy more space in a room)
• A stackable design for easy storage and transportation
• Labeling that confirms units have undergone professional electrical testing to ensure safe use
• Built-in power outlets that let you daisy-chain multiple units
• Adjustable positioning for directing airflow where needed
• Energy efficiency, which can affect operating costs, environmental impacts, and how many units you can use at one time

Job-Site Requirements

Incorporating a variety of commercial air mover models into your operation will provide the flexibility you need to tackle any job. These can include a combination of centrifugal and axial air movers. Plus, you may need specialty models such as low profile air movers (e.g., floor blower or floor drying fan units, or carpet dryer / carpet fan units)

Tips for Using Air Movers You End Up Buying 

Any time you put your air movers into action, be sure to document their use by following the steps below.

Begin with Moisture Mapping

Moisture mapping is a critical first step in water damage restoration, and involves pinpointing the exact locations and extent of moisture within a structure. This process is essential because it guides restoration efforts, ensuring that drying equipment is effectively placed and that all wet areas are addressed, preventing mold growth and structural damage.

For example, here is how you can perform moisture mapping with the magicplan app:

• Create a Digital Sketch: Begin by using magicplan’s LiDAR Auto-Scan feature (for iOS) to create an accurate sketch of the site. This real-time mapping allows you to quickly generate a floor plan of the job site.
• Determine and Document Affected Areas: Use the magicplan app to annotate your floor plan, by pinpointing areas with moisture presence. You can log moisture readings, relative humidity and temperature, and the date of these measurements. And you can even describe the affected material types. Then attach photos of the moisture meter readings to guarantee that no detail is missed.

Chart Air Mover Placement

For example, the magicplan app has an object library for this task. It allows you to place pre-made objects on your job-site sketch to show placement of water mitigation equipment. The app’s available objects include air movers and dehumidifiers, but you can also create custom objects for other types of equipment.

Record Air Mover Readings

After positioning your air movers, it's essential to track and record their performance. A good documentation app, such as magicplan, will help you perform this task efficiently as well. Doing so helps you maintain accurate records for effective project management, client communication and finalization of insurance claims.

CHECK OUT THIS RELATED ARTICLE:

Why and How to Maximize Air Movement During Water Damage Cleanup