Commercial Airflow Equipment Selection Matrix
guide
Compare air curtains, fresh-air systems, inline duct fans, exhaust fans, and dehumidifiers by the field problem, room condition, and information needed before product documents.
When the project problem is clear but the correct MiWind equipment family is not, start with the condition being solved and keep the room, opening, duct, moisture, electrical, and service facts together.
Air curtains address doorway separation questions. Fresh-air and ERV systems fit planned outdoor-air needs. Inline or cabinet fans fit ducted airflow and pressure paths. Exhaust fans fit source removal. Dehumidifiers fit moisture-control requests when RH, temperature, drainage, and moisture source are visible.
The matrix is a routing reference, not a universal product recommendation. Confirm airflow, pressure, sound, electrical, installation, certification, warranty, and availability details against current model documents.
This resource supports early planning; confirm certification, code requirements, and final equipment selection against current project and model documents.
Reference table
| Buyer problem | First facts to collect | Start with | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open doorway, draft, dust, or insect transfer | Finished width, clear height, mounting height, traffic, exposure, heat preference, voltage | Air curtains | Door width alone selects a final model |
| Planned outdoor air for occupied rooms | Room list, occupancy, area, ceiling height, CFM or ACH target, filtration, sound, duct route | Fresh air and ERV systems | ACH replaces occupancy or code review |
| Ducted airflow with pressure or filter resistance | Target CFM, duct size, length, elbows, filters, grilles, termination, controls | Inline duct or cabinet fans | Duct diameter alone identifies the fan |
| Odor or moisture source removal | Room use, source location, CFM target, duct route, termination, controls, sound | Exhaust fans or inline fans | A general fan solves hood-governed kitchen exhaust |
| High RH, damp storage, or process moisture | Current RH, target RH, temperature, moisture source, drainage, duty cycle, service access | Dehumidifiers | Area alone determines capacity |
| Mixed problem in one zone | Separate the room, source, outdoor-air need, duct path, and moisture load | A combined application review | One equipment family should handle every condition |
Technical FAQs
Should I start with the product family or the calculator?
Start with the problem and field facts. Open a calculator only when its required inputs are available, then carry the result into the matching product family and document request.
Can one project need more than one equipment family?
Yes. A restaurant, gym, warehouse, or storage project may need separate airflow, exhaust, fresh-air, doorway, and moisture-control paths by zone.
Does the matrix select a final model?
No. It routes the request to the right family and identifies the facts needed for current model-document review.