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VIDEO: Blow-off between 2 PPV fans
Video of a test comparing two PPV Fans. The 5.5 hp Ventry Fan outblows the 8 hp competitor.

PPV Fan Comparison (GAS PPV Blowers)

2013: We are in the process of again gathering ppv fan specs and will post them here when ready, so that consumers can compare the published data* for comparable gasoline powered positive pressure fans in one place. If new data would be useful to you, please click here and send a quick email and tell us that. The more people we hear from, the higher on our priority list it will go. We will also send you a link when it is ready, if you email us.

*Watch out! When comparing printed data, there are two things you need to know to avoid being misinformed:

  1. CFM values are measured differently by all manufacturers so comparing them is largely meaningless.
  2. Many fan manufacturers are using old, pre-2007 horsepower values! Motor hp rating changed in 2007 and went down. If two motors are the same model (for example, Honda GX200), they are of the same HP, regardless of what the charts might say.

Thank you for doing your research!


A Comparison of Positive Pressure Ventilation Fans (2005)

  • Gasoline-powered with Honda engines
  • 20 to 24 inch propellers
  • Six Major Brands included

Intro

This analysis compares the manufacturers’ published specifications and list prices of 19 different PPV fans offered by six major Fan manufacturers as of 10/20/2005. Five of the 19 fans are VENTRY® Fans by Ventry Solutions, Inc. Prices and even motor hp ratings have certainly changed (for all manufacturers) since the original data was gathered, but the gist of the comparison remains valid.

In choosing the sample, blowers with gas-powered Honda engines and propeller sizes and engine HPs equal to or greater than the five VENTRY Fan models were included. With the exception of one model that was a near-duplicate of E-20-9, all fans found that fit this criteria and had complete specs available online were included.

Every effort has been made to be fair and accurate. For the complete analysis, including brand names, actual fan model numbers and sources, please email us. All data used in this comparison was provided by the manufacturer f each fan, either on their website or via email.

Interpretation

“Why choose VENTRY,” you ask? For the analytical types out there (like us), we gathered this data to back up what we’ve been hearing from customers since 1989. This analysis helped to confirm that we are achieving our goal of building the best equipment possible and that we are providing the best value to end users, based on information publicly available to shoppers via the Web.

Despite the saying that “there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics” [Disraeli], we are confident that the information here has been gathered, analyzed and presented fairly and accurately. VENTRY Fans have been highlighted in red so that their rankings are easy to see. This analysis considers only basic sorts and calculations of the available data. You will see that VENTRY Fans are not the best in every category, but the consistency with which they rank well in all areas is telling.

We welcome any questions, comments or concerns you have about this analysis; just give us a call or send an email.

Summary

Summary as a PDF file. Click here to open.

Click here for a PDF file of the Summary, taken from the complete version. It opens in a new window. The complete version of this analysis is available upon request as a PDF file.

Here are the results of comparing Air Volumes, Horsepower, Prices and Weights of 19 different PPV Fans/Blowers from 6 major manufacturers (2005):

  1. VENTRY fans rank 1st, 2nd and 3rd in air volume, ranking higher than larger fans. Our smallest 4 hp fan is at the bottom of the pack, but not by much! Notice how it is pushing similar air volumes as much bigger, heavier fans! Chart
  2. The five VENTRY Fans produce the most air volume for the engine power, producing over 4,000 CFM for each “horse” of engine power. The others are all below 3,555 per HP, with the highest HP fans ranking last! Chart
  3. The five Honda-powered VENTRY fans are less expensive than all but one of the other 14 Honda-powered blowers. All the Honda-powered VENTRY Fans are under $2,000 (base models before options). Chart
  4. The five VENTRY Fans have the lowest price for the air volume, all falling under $85 per 1000 CFM of air output. The others cost more than $109 per 1000 CFM. Chart
  5. VENTRY Fans range from $234 to $367 per “horse” of engine power, and you only have to buy 4 of those to get a great fan! Chart
  6. The five VENTRY Fans all fall within the lightest 9 out of 19. Chart

Thank you for considering this information. Please call or email us to get a copy of the complete analysis, including brand names.

Model Names

The Model names used in this analysis are “coded” to show the size and HP of each fan but hide the brands (we are happy to tell you which stands for which, just ask). The first letter stands for the brand (A, B, C, D, E or V, where V equals VENTRY), followed by the prop size in inches (20, 21 or 24), then the engine HP (from 4 to 13 HP).

For example, V-24-4 is the VENTRY 24-inch 4 hp Fan.

The Data/Sample

The chart below shows all the fan models compared sorted by prop size and engine power, with the biggest on top and the smallest on the bottom. Note that the smallest Fans in the group are VENTRY models. The five VENTRY Fans included range from 4 to 6.5 HP; the other 14 range from 5.5 to 13 HP!

Data and Sources
In descending order by Prop Size and then Power (HP)

Prop
Size (Inches)
Power
(HP)
Air Volume (CFM)
Weight
(LBS)

Price
(US $)

Date of Access
E-24-13

24

13

17,500
91
$2,588
10/17/05
B-24-9
24

9

20,230
125
$2,650
10/18/05
C-24-6.5
24
6.5
20,478
98
$2,530
10/17/05
D-24-6.5
24
6.5
19,606
82
$2,542
10/20/05
V-24-6.5
24
6.5
27,800
85
$1,914
10/17/05
A-24-5.5
24
5.5
17,268
110
$2,615
10/18/05
C-24-5.5
24
5.5
19,555
95
$2,195
10/17/05
V-24-5.5
24
5.5
23,600
77
$1,535
10/17/05
V-24-5
24
5
23,600
70
$1,169
V-24-4
24
4
19,600
78
$1,469
D-21-6.5
21
6.5
20,152
79
$2,364
10/20/05
A-21-5.5
21
5.5
17,670
84
$2,292
10/18/05
C-21-5.5
21
5.5
17,321
88
$2,160
10/17/05
E-20-13
20
13
22,000
129
$2,415
10/17/05
E-20-9
20
9
17,500
91
$2,407
10/17/05
B-20-6.5
20
6.5
18,580
87
$2,250
10/18/05
E-20-6.5
20
6.5
17,000
91
$1,995
10/17/05
E-20-5.5
20
5.5
8,539
66
$1,638
10/17/05
V-20-4
20
4
16,100
64
$1,359
10/17/05

* Brand names and manufacturer part numbers along with the sources of all this information are available via fax or email upon request, just email or call.


THE RESULTS

Air Volume (CFM)

Method: Sorted all 19 fan models solely by Air Volume (CFM), regardless of prop size or engine power.

Air Volume (CFM) - How much air does the Ventilation Fan push?

Data:

MODEL
CFM
(retracted)
V-24-6.5
27,800
29,500
V-24-5.5
23,600
24,000
V-24-5
23,600
23,800
E-20-13
22,000
n/a
C-24-6.5
20,478
n/a
B-24-9
20,230
n/a
D-21-6.5
20,152
n/a
D-24-6.5
19,606

n/a

V-24-4
19,600

20,000

C-24-5.5
19,555

n/a

B-20-6.5
18,580
n/a
A-21-5.5
17,670
n/a
E-24-13
17,500
n/a
E-20-9
17,500
n/a
C-21-5.5
17,321
n/a
A-24-5.5
17,268
n/a
E-20-6.5
17,000
n/a
V-20-4
16,100
16,500
E-20-5.5
8,539
n/a

Conclusion: More powerful engines do not seem to produce greater air volumes (more HP does not mean higher CFM). Despite two VENTRY models having only 4 HP motors, the lowest of the sample, they boast air volumes close to bigger fans. (Our little 20-inch 4 HP VENTRY Fan produces the same CFM as 6.5 HP, 9, and even 13 HP models!)

Where does all that extra energy go? If the prop is not utilizing the engine power to push air, it may be creating CO and noise.

Notes about CFM:

**CFM - Retracted vs. Extended: With the legs fully extended, the air volumes (CFM) of VENTRY Fans are even higher than those graphed above (see raw data to the right). However, to avoid the appearance of comparing apples to oranges, we used only the retracted CFM values of VENTRY Fans in this analysis. We encourage our customers to always elevate their VENTRY Fans (extend the legs) when in operation, even if only 6 inches.

Thrust

Although air volume (CFM) is the most common measure of ventilation fan output, we prefer thrust. Unfortunately, thrust values of other brands were not to be found. Thanks to the fact that every action causes an equal and opposite reaction, thrust can be measured fairly consistently by most anyone, using only a mechanics creeper and a fish scale. For VENTRY Fan thrust values, see the Output chart on our Specs page.


Air Volume vs. Engine Power (CFM and HP)

Method: Divided Air Volume by Engine Power (CFM / HP) and sorted highest to lowest.

Air Volume vs. Engine Power (CFM/HP) - Efficiency

Data:

MODEL
CFM / HP
 
MODEL
CFM / HP
V-24-4
4,900
D-21-6.5
3,100
V-24-5
4,720
D-24-6.5
3,016
V-24-5.5
4,291
B-20-6.5
2,858
V-24-6.5
4,277
E-20-6.5
2,615
V-20-4
4,025
B-24-9
2,248
C-24-5.5
3,555
E-20-9
1,944
A-21-5.5
3,213
E-20-13
1,692
C-24-6.5
3,150
E-20-5.5
1,553
C-21-5.5
3,149
E-24-13
1,346
A-24-5.5
3,140
  

Conclusion: The more air a fan pushes with a given amount of engine power, the more efficient the system and the lower the CO. Generally, less efficiency also equates to more noise.

VENTRY Fans have the most air volumes for the engine power (CFM per HP) and the lowest Price per 1000 CFM of air. That’s great value!

Seems to us that air volume, price, and weight should be more significant factors in choosing a PPV Fan than HP!


Price

Method: Sorted all 19 fan models solely by Price (list price or MSRP).

Price (MSRP) - How much does each fan cost?

Data:

MODEL
Price
 
MODEL
Price
 
MODEL
Price
V-24-5 $1,169 C-21-5.5
$2,160
E-20-13 $2,415
V-20-4
$1,359
C-24-5.5
$2,195
C-24-6.5 $2,530
V-24-4
$1,469
B-20-6.5
$2,250
D-24-6.5 $2,542
V-24-5.5
$1,535
A-21-5.5 $2,292 E-24-13 $2,588
E-20-5.5
$1,638
D-21-6.5 $2,364 A-24-5.5 $2,615
V-24-6.5
$1,914
E-20-9 $2,407 B-24-9 $2,650
E-20-6.5
$1,995
   

Conclusion: [Update 2010: These prices were analyzed in 2005 and are now completely outdated. The relative information is still valid, however.]


Price vs. Air Volume

Method: Divided Price by Air Volume (CFM) to see how much each thousand CFM of air costs, then sorted lowest to highest.

Price vs. Air Volume [$ / (CFM x 1000)] - How much will you pay for every 1000 CFM of Air Volume?

Data:

MODEL
Price per
1000 CFM
 
MODEL
Price per
1000 CFM
 
MODEL
Price per
1000 CFM
V-24-5 $49.53 D-21-6.5 $117.31 A-21-5.5 $129.71
V-24-5.5 $65.04 E-20-6.5 $117.35 B-24-9 $130.99
V-24-6.5 $68.85 B-20-6.5 $121.10 E-20-9 $137.52
V-24-4 $74.95 C-24-6.5 $123.55 E-24-13 $147.90
V-20-4 $84.41 C-21-5.5 $124.70 A-24-5.5 $151.44
E-20-13 $109.77 D-24-6.5 $129.65 E-20-5.5 $191.83
C-24-5.5 $112.25    

Conclusion: VENTRY Fans have the lowest price per 1000 CFM and the most CFM (air) per HP. Make sure you get the most for your money!

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Price vs. Engine Power (HP)

Method: Divided Price (list or MSRP) by Engine Power (HP), then sorted lowest to highest.

Price vs. Engine Power (MSRP / HP) - How much will you pay for the HP?

Conclusion: Here is where the higher HP fans look good, until you consider how many of those “horses” you have to buy. If you love HP, consider the air volume, weight, and size. Higher HP is not necessarily a bargain!

We could pair larger engines with smaller propellers, as others have done, but what would result does not qualify as good engineering. You’d end up with a larger fan, more noise, and a sore back!

Data:

MODEL
Price/HP
 
MODEL
Price/HP
 
MODEL
Price/HP
 
MODEL
Price/HP
E-20-13
$186
B-24-9
$294
B-20-6.5
$364
C-21-5.5
$393
E-24-13
$199
V-24-6.5
$294
D-21-6.5
$364
C-24-5.5
$399
V-24-5
$234
E-20-5.5
$298
V-24-4
$367
A-21-5.5
$417
E-20-9
$267
E-20-6.5
$307
C-24-6.5
$389
A-24-5.5
$475
V-24-5.5
$279
V-20-4
$340
D-24-6.5
$391
 

Weight

Method: Sorted all fans by Weight, lightest to heaviest.

Weight - How many people are needed for setup?

Data:

MODEL
Weight
 
MODEL
Weight
V-20-4
64
C-21-5.5
88
E-20-5.5
66
E-24-13
91*
V-24-5
70
E-20-9
91*
V-24-5.5
77
E-20-6.5
91*
V-24-4
78
C-24-5.5
95
D-21-6.5
79
C-24-6.5
98
D-24-6.5
82
A-24-5.5
110
A-21-5.5
84
B-24-9
125
V-24-6.5
85
E-20-13
129
B-20-6.5
87
 

Conclusion: Bigger and bigger means heavier and heavier, without the output (air volume) to justify it! In our experience, the weight of a fan can determine whether it will make it off the truck or not.

Notes: VENTRY Fan weights shown are WITH fuel and oil. It is unknown whether other brands include fuel and oil in their weights.

* Suspect weights. It is unlikely that these three “E” brand fans all weigh 91 pounds. This is probably a mistake on the manufacturer’s webpage.

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