TDA model or regular ceiling fan?

The principle of heat distribution inside a room is quite simple: Warm air moves upwards, cold air moves downwards. This law of physics becomes apparent when work has to be done on the ceiling in tall rooms. On the top of the ladder workers soon start to sweat. However, the residents feel quite the opposite: they generally dwell in the lower area of a room where it is naturally colder.

This unfavourable situation can be changed with a ceiling fan that is switched on as soon as the temperature at ground level drops too far. The movement of the air causes the layers of the air to blend so that the heat contents start to even out. The lower part of the room feels more pleasant again and the radiator does not even have to be turned up.

Needless to say, this method can be performed intuitively or by using a digital room thermometer, however it is actually much more efficient to use a TDA system. For use in regular rooms one single corresponding fan is sufficient when it is connected to a TDA remote control . In this case there are sensors located on the fan as well as on the radio remote control, the latter usually lying on the table or cupboard. These sensors constantly measure the indoor temperature. For large halls and entire houses a central TDA control unit with the same kind of measurement technology is recommended. A TDA control unit can be connected to as many as 15 fans. Once the difference between the lower and upper area becomes too big, the fans automatically switch on and begin blending the two layers. Generally this process is started if the difference exceeds two or three degrees Celsius. If the difference in temperature is very big, the fan motors operate more intensely, meaning the air exchange happens faster. As soon as the temperature has adjusted or the previously set value has been reached, the devices automatically switch off. That is why the operating expenses of TDA models are lower than the costs for continuously operating ventilation systems.

Compared to heat recovery with conventional ceiling fans, the TDA method offers the following benefits:
automatic temperature measurement

• manual switching on/off is not required
• programmable
• low operating costs thanks to precise operating intervals
• also suitable for high halls with more than 10 m height
• no draught

Application of TDA fans

It does not matter for the process of temperature equalisation in the room whether you are heating with fuel oil, geothermal energy, solar energy or a fireplace. TDA fans are compatible with any kind of heating, allowing for many possible fields of application. After a few years the acquisition of a TDA system has already amortised in most cases, as a good part of expenses spent on fuel are simply omitted. Up to 30 percent of heating costs that would be allotted to continuous heating can be saved. Even in newly erected heat-insulated new buildings ca. 23 percent of the costs can be saved.

⇒ Ò The settings of your radiator etc. do not have to be changed because of the additional TDA system. The system adapts to the present conditions and also takes foreign sources of warmth, e.g. temporary sunshine into account.

You are given a lot of freedom when it comes to installing TDA systems in domestic, commercial and industrial environments with ceiling heights above 2.60 m. The use of this technology is particularly wise when products are stored that react with corrosion or decay to heat layers and humidity. TDA ceiling fans ensure even humidity and temperature throughout the entire room height.

The conditions in workshops and production facilities require control units that are secured by the protection codes IP54 or IP55. Those TDA ceiling fans can also be used in damp rooms at home, such as the bathroom, without any draught effect. Particularly in winter it would be uncomfortable to be in this room if the fan blows a cool breeze.

Preferred application areas include:
domed roofs, rooms for presentations, commercial and industrial environments

• representative reception rooms or customer areas
• workshops and production facilities
• food storage and warehouses
• gyms, indoor squash or tennis courts
• all domestic environments with high ceilings
• collections, museums, studios
  

Quantity of fans (calculation of size) for TDA system

The heat-built up on the ceiling might even become expensive: If you continue heating the living quarters, heating costs increase by six percent per 1 °C temperature increase! This is clearly reflected on the electricity bill in spacious halls where heat is lost quickly. And yet the heating energy that has already been put out could simply be redirected towards the ground by TDA fans where it can be used again!

You can visualise your potential energy savings with the following formula (mathematically simplified for the Average Joe):

Temperature on the ceiling= measured ground temperature * (1 + 0.1*room height in metres)
Example for a ceiling with 7 m height, temperature on the ground 16°C:
16 * (1+0.7) = 27.2 °C on the ceiling

Temperature difference = ground temperature * (1 + 0.1*room height in metres) – ground temperature
Example for a ceiling with 7 m height, temperature on the ground 16°C:
27.2 - 16 = 11.2 °C difference in temperature

Formula apply to halls with more than five metres ceiling height!

Indoor tennis court: A special case

One focussed serve and the match is decided – as long as there are no fans that obstruct or set the ball off course! In order to prevent flying tennis and squash balls from crashing into fan blades or that aspring Rogers and Serenas will not be distracted by the aesthetics of the fans, the latter should always be mounted next to the fields. It is recommended to comply with a distance of five to eight metres away from the net. The air speeds can be limited by a TDA-Control and should not exceed 0.4 m/s. Otherwise a weak pass might get blown away! Per court one fan with 122 cm size in diameter is enough.

TDA models in our product range

The NORDIK TDA CEILING FANS made by producer Vortice are designed specifically for the purpose of temperature equalisation – you can find them in this category "TDA ceiling fans". Their surface with a white lacquer finish is easy to clean. We recommend operating them with a separate TDA control unit.

There are also a couple of models among the conventional ceiling fans whose motors are powerful enough to withstand being controlled by TDA controllers. NORDIK HEAVY DUTY BASE and NORDIK HEAVY DUTY INOX are produced with an anthracite finish and are particularly suitable for use in commercial, industrial or agricultural environments, because they are equipped with a special protection from splashing water. A 15-year warranty on the motor granted by the producer makes them perfect for application in humid and damp areas.

VOURDRIES fans made by Pepeo are available with wall control, remote control or completely without a control unit. If used in a TDA system, these fans require a separate TDA control device. We stock the Vourdries models with a black, silver or white finish. The design is rather functional and well thought-out: profiled fan blades make sure that indoor air is transported efficiently.

Mounting accessories and controllers

Controlling the TDA system is very simple, depending on how many fans are set up you can choose from several different types of controllers:

For the use of a single device we offer a remote control with LCD display whose receiver unit is installed on the fan. The temperature adjustment starts automatically, you can also select a sleep timer, lighting regulation and other settings as you require. The Homecontrol Module is also designed for a fully automated heat recovery with a fan. It can be installed flush- or surface-mounted.

For the connection of several fans (4-15 units) the TDA-CONTROL-Tmodule is ideal, it is available with various expansion features. With up to 150 metres cable length the sensor cable with 2 wires is suitable for spacious buildings as well. The occupant or leaseholder can rely on a smooth ventilation and address themselves to their main tasks. At night or when a room will not be used for a longer period, a timer can be interconnected or a certain value can be pre-programmed.

We recommend the IP54-protected ELTHR6 thermostat-controller system for the combination with existing heating and cooling installations.

Once the control of the ceiling fans has been set up right, the temperature measurement and heat recovery take place automatically up to one time per second. The velocity of the rotation is adjusted to the temperature difference. According to requirements, we offer matching extension rods in our product range that can be shortened to any intermediate length and perfectly fit the fans.