How to Choose the Right Air Mover

Not all air movers are created equal. Air movers can be stackable, have built-in legs, have different power outputs and use different amperage. There are two basic types of air movers – centrifugal (or turbo) air movers and axial air movers. What you need to dry will determine which air mover will help you most; however, both types of air movers are necessary. Jon-Don recommends your inventory be made up of 30% centrifugal air movers and 70% axial.

Centrifugal or Turbo Air Movers are typically used to dry or "float" carpet. They have a snout that directs the airflow underneath the carpeting (Jon-Don recommends a clamp to hold the carpet on to the air mover). Centrifugal air movers use high static pressure to push the air and lift heavy, wet carpet. One square yard of wet carpeting can hold 2-3 gallons of water, and just one gallon weighs eight pounds, so a lot of power is needed to make sure the job can be done effectively. For that reason, centrifugal air movers tend to draw a lot of amperage, around 4.0-11.0 amps. You will only be able to plug two air movers into a typical household outlet, which is usually a 15-amp circuit. Most models will provide 1,100 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) of air volume.

Axial Air Movers are best suited for top-down or structural drying jobs. They have a tube design with large diameters that actually generate 100% more airflow than centrifugal fans. However, they don’t have the same static pressure (strength) of centrifugal air movers and so they draw far less amperage, usually from 1.5-2.5 amps. This will allow you to plug up to 5 air movers into an outlet and greatly speed drying time. Most axial air movers provide between 2,000-3,800 CFM and can even be stacked so you can create a “wall” of drying power. Axial air movers are great for focused drying at the affected materials.

For more information on how to select the right air mover or other restoration equipment please contact a member of the Jon-Don Restoration Team at (800) 556-6366. Jon-Don is a leading distributor in the restoration and disaster recovery industry. Since 1978, thousands of contractors all across the country have trusted Jon-Don as their source for education, business building information, and high-quality restoration products, all backed by the industry’s best satisfaction guarantee.

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