Animal health is very important to horse owners and so too is beingenvironmentally conscious. Good air quality is essential for minimizing respiratory healthproblem’s, this starts with a good ventilation system that also helps protect the horse barnstructure from moisture damage by reducing condensation. Using the Solar Whiz Solar poweredhigh volume fan/s, will allow Mother Nature to control this air quality cost free, everyday.

What Is Good Air Quality For Horses?
Horses are more comfortable in well-ventilated barns with good barn air temperature andhumidity, and few air contaminants and drafts.

In NSW or Victoria barn air temperature is affected by the season and the species, age andweight of the horses. Temperatures can vary from 12ºC up to 44ºc. Temperatures ranging from17°C to 24°C should be considered optimum, avoiding sudden changes in air temperature isoften more important than the actual temperature.

Barn air humidity is also important. Very dry air (low relative humidity) dries the horse'snasal mucosa and can be a source of dust and pathogen infiltration into the horse'srespiratory system. Very moist air (high relative humidity) combined with low airtemperatures can reduce the insulation properties of the horse's hair coat. Very moist aircombined with high air temperatures can create moisture build-up and dripping on thesurfaces of building materials inside the stable, which can cause early deterioration.

Dust, pathogens and gases from feeding, bedding, manure and the horses themselves affect airquality. Dust particles in the air can affect respiratory organs and transmit pathogens.Gases such as ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) form acids that burn respiratorytissues. A well-ventilated horse barn should not have high levels of moisture or gases.

How Does A Ventilation System Work?
Air has two very important properties that need to be understood before you can properlydesign and operate a barn ventilation system.

Moisture-Holding Capacity
Air has the capacity to hold moisture in water vapor form. The amount of moisture held by afixed volume of air (relative humidity, or RH) increases as the temperature of that airrises. For example, cold outside air has very little moisture-holding capacity, whereas warmair has a significantly higher moisture-holding capacity. For every 10°C increase in airtemperature, moisture-holding capacity of the air doubles (approximately).

Thermal Buoyancy of Air
Buoyancy is the tendency of warm air to rise. Warm air is less dense than cold air, so it islighter. This principle works well in natural ventilation systems where the warmer barn air,caused by horse body heat, is allowed to rise up and exhaust in a peak vent or chimney,carrying the respired moisture and active gases with it. Reliant on external ambienttemperatures, the greater the temperatures difference between inside the barn and outsidethe barn, the larger the uplift or buoyancy force will be. Relying on buoyancy is not veryeffective in warm weather since there is very little temperature difference between insideand outside. For these conditions, natural ventilation relies on summer breezes to removemoisture, heat, odors and active gases or mechanical forced ventilation.

Natural Ventilation System
A natural ventilation system uses air buoyancy and wind effects to move air Naturalventilation systems are quieter than fan systems and provide more daylight, but require moremanagement to maintain uniform temperatures and air quality inside the horse barn.

The key consideration for a natural ventilation system is building orientation. The lengthof the building must be perpendicular to the prevailing wind. Obstructions around the barnprevent fresh air movement, especially when they are located within heavy tree lined sites. Another challenge with natural ventilation systems is condensation on building surfaces.

When the warm, moist air rises to be evacuated out of the barn, it comes in contact with thecold surfaces of the roof, creating condensation. Water droplets dripping from the roof candeteriorate building components and is uncomfortable for horses and workers.

Even in open sided barns or stables, the roof linings on high UV days will radiate extremetemperatures downwards.

Fan-Ventilated Barn
In fan-ventilated barns, the air exchange and distribution is done mechanically. Since everyfan places a small vacuum on the room, all openings into the structure (including cracksaround windows and doors) become sources of air. For this reason, it is important that aproperly designed air inlet is provided.

Solar Whiz Fans
The Solar Whiz is a powerful solar powered heat extraction fan that operates completely offthe grid and is ideal for solar roof ventilation.

Eliminating the heat build up in a pitched roof reduces the heat load, which is radiatedback down on lower ceilings or direct on the horses. This results in lower internaltemperatures and reduces the inherent heat stress placed on horses.

The main factures to a Solar Whiz are.
• Air volume of more than sixty 20ft metal containers- (2100m3) per hour
• Greatly reduces insects and bugs
• Relieves animals stressed by heat & humidity by cooling
• Creates cross ventilation
• Reduces excess heat and damage on the buildings structure
• Solar – No power supply = No Running Costs & no electrical wiring
• No running cost
• No carbon emissions
• Operates when required (i.e. when the sun is shining)
• Quiet operation
• Simple installation
• Safe low voltage installation – No electrician required.
• Optional thermostat – ensuring Solar Whiz only cool ventilation is required
• Available in two sizes. 10w (1400m3hr) or 20w (2100m3hr)
• Available as roof or gable mounted fans

Visit Solair or call 1300AIRDRY (247 379)

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