Evel designs and produces HVLS (High Volume, Low Speed) solutions that address the problem of air stratification in large environments by enabling proper temperature mixing.
Easy Engineering: Tell us a short story about innovation in your company.
The word innovation is embedded in the company’s DNA from its origins. Every year our team works to develop products that on one hand meet current customer needs and on the other satisfy needs that do not yet exist in the market. Innovation at Evel means providing solutions at the forefront of technology without ever losing sight of another of our core values: sustainability.
E.E: Which are the most significant projects from 2023?
In 2023 we installed our products in several different environments: from CrossFit boxes and gyms to car dealers, industrial plants, airport halls and hangars, restaurants, refrigerated warehouse… basically all large environments where clients need to cool in summer and destratify in winter. With our wide range of portable fans and our newest Flower Fan model, we have also responded to the needs of customers looking for a solution to reduce the feeling of humid heat and eliminate annoying insects (mosquitoes, flies, etc.) in outdoor locations.
E.E: What projects were the most challenging?
One of the most challenging installations was at Lidl’s positive refrigerated warehouse of fruit and vegetable in Thessaloniki, Greece. The client’s main problem was that the temperature alarm would often start ringing due to the high temperature in the warehouse even though the chillers were pushed to maximum. Refrigerated warehouses like this one often face the problem of hot air stratification toward the ceiling and the presence of hot spots that can lead to the creation of moisture and mold that can damage stored products.
E.E: What products / solutions were used in the projects?
In the warehouse, we installed 3 HVLS fans of 6 m diameter. Now the customer is very satisfied because whenever the doors are opened in summer for loading, the temperature alarm does not go off because the fans effectively distribute air throughout the warehouse, eliminating hot and cold spots. This even distribution of air is critical to maintaining a constant temperature, which is essential for storing perishable goods. By ensuring a stable environment, HVLS fans help reduce spoilage and extend the shelf life of products, thereby increasing profitability. In addition, HVLS fans operate on the principle of moving large volumes of air at low speed, which is more energy efficient than conventional high-speed fans. This efficiency translates into significant energy savings, as the fans require less energy to operate. Better air circulation means that refrigeration systems do not have to work as hard to maintain the desired temperature, further reducing energy consumption and operating costs. (https://evelsrl.com/applications/industrial/cold-chain/ )
E.E: What are the usual challenges you encounter?
By addressing multiple market sectors, we find ourselves having to respond to very different needs. this requires great flexibility within the company and the need to study customized solutions for each client in the most efficient and effective way possible
E.E: How did you overcome the challenges?
With the teamwork and expertise of each and every member of our team that makes it possible to create a purchasing and after sales service process that aims to create value for the customer. From the sales team that interfaces with the customer to understand their needs, through the technical department that creates tailor-made projects, to the procurement, production, logistics, and installers that make it possible to deliver and install the product as efficiently and quickly as possible leading up to the after sales service, everything is handled with great attention to detail, professionalism and customer focus
E.E: Which are the most innovative products/solutions in your lineup?
In 2023 we introduced in our product range a new state-of-the-art accessory for controlling HVLS ventilation systems the GW1000 and a new unique outdoor fan, the flower fan. GW1000 is the new control system for Evel ventilation systems, based on data transmission via cloud gateway (encrypted) over ModBus communication protocol. Through this device, fan control and parameter maintenance is managed remotely via any device connected to the Internet (Wireless). The HVLS Flower Fan is the “designer” outdoor fan developed by Evel. Designed to provide comfort in outdoor environments, it drastically reduces the feeling of humid heat and eliminates annoying insects (mosquitoes, flies, etc.). The brand new and eye-catching design, as well as the materials used, make the Flower Fan a very useful product and at the same time a furnishing accessory for the outdoor solution, ensuring low power consumption thanks to brushless direct-drive technology with built-in inverter. the product design is patented at the European level.
E.E: What was the research behind the products/solutions?
The research of new products always starts with the analysis of the market, new technologies and customer needs. after that, we move on to a feasibility study that includes the research of materials and the realization of the technical drawing. this is followed by the prototype realization and technical tests until the collection of feedback thanks to our distribution and reps network
E.E: What problems / challenges do users usually encounter?
Being part of very different market sectors, our customers encounter different problems. For example, Crossfit box owners have the problem of high summer temperatures affecting athletes’ performance and leading to loss of membership. In manufacturing plants, warehouses, and auto repair shops, the problem is providing climate comfort to employees in very large plants, where both winter heating and air conditioning have very high costs. In positive cold warehouses, the biggest challenge, as mentioned above, is related to air quality and temperature management. Yet, the problem they all share is to solve these challenges with solutions that do not have high operating costs and are as efficient and sustainable as possible.
E.E: How are your products / solutions used in solving users problems?
The HVLS fans of EVEL generate a massive air flow (up to 850.00 m3/h) that can reach about 4 times their diameter in all directions. They have a brushless motor with inverter on board that has an extremely low energy consumption (the maximum in winter is about 150 Watt, equal to a LED light bulb, and in summer about 600 Watt). In summer, our HVLS fans reduce the perceived temperature by up to 6°C, while in winter, by slowly rotating, they push warm air from the ceiling downward, thus increasing the temperature on the ground by up to 6°C and saving up to 30% on heating costs. The installation of HVLS fans also enables customers to: reduce the proliferation of viruses, bacteria and mold; prevent condensation; reduce downtime; and increase employee productivity and athlete performance through increased climatic comfort. Thanks to the modbus communication protocol, it is also possible to control and maintain the fans remotely.
E.E: What are your forecasts for 2024?
We aim at outgrowing the number of projects of 2023 and reach the target budget we set for 2024 through growth in market sectors such as car dealers, padel courts, gyms, HoReCa sector, positive refrigerated warehouses.