Chapter 4 - Pool Update - Smart Fans

This chapter discusses the new smart fans.

These fans are relatively new technology. They have been installed in buildings in Quebec and in pools in other countries but never in a pool building with skylights in a cold weather climate. Our intention was to eliminate the PVC barrier that was there for years in order to enhance the interior environment.

The original adjustment of the five fans was based on experience elsewhere. The two fans on the side of the pool are still adjusted that way. However, because of the skylights, the location of the air vents in the building, and the cold winter weather, we learned that the three center fans needed to be oriented differently.

Side Fan  - Narrow End Pointed Down

Despite the pool being open, we adjusted the three center fans properly in early March. Since that time, there have been enough cold days and evenings to evaluate whether they were performing. Our humidity and temperature measurements now indicate that they are doing their job.

Skylight fan - Narrow End Pointed Up

However, they are not a panacea. No matter how efficient they may be now, they are not expected to be 100% effective against condensation during the coldest of days or nights we typically experience every winter. Also, when the Dryotron, which dehumidifies the building, is down for maintenance or there is a power failure such as we had last December, it is unrealistic to assume that the fans will solve all the problems.

That is why we will install gutters as an additional safeguard. The gutters are discussed in the next chapter.