6 Best Through The Wall Fans For Small Barns That Keep Air Fresh & Dry
Keep your small barn fresh and dry with proper ventilation. We review the 6 best through-the-wall fans for optimal air circulation and moisture control.
Walk into a poorly ventilated barn on a humid summer morning and the smell hits you first—a thick mix of ammonia, damp hay, and stale air. That stagnant air isn’t just unpleasant; it’s a serious threat to your animals’ health and the structural integrity of your building. A good through-the-wall fan is one of the most practical investments you can make, working tirelessly to pull out the bad and bring in the good.
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Why Proper Barn Ventilation is Non-Negotiable
Stale, damp air is a breeding ground for problems. For livestock, especially chickens and goats, ammonia buildup from waste can cause severe respiratory distress and eye irritation. Without consistent air exchange, that corrosive gas gets trapped at animal level, creating an unhealthy environment that weakens immune systems and invites disease.
Moisture is the silent enemy of your barn’s structure. As animals breathe and outside temperatures fluctuate, condensation forms on cool surfaces like metal roofing and wooden beams. This constant dampness leads to mold, mildew, and eventually, wood rot that can compromise the entire building. A simple fan fights this by keeping the air moving, preventing moisture from settling and causing long-term damage.
Ventilation is also your primary tool for temperature regulation. In the summer, it pulls hot, stagnant air out, creating a breeze that provides critical relief from heat stress. But it’s just as important in the winter. A fan running on low can exhaust the warm, moisture-laden air that rises from animals, keeping bedding drier and preventing the damp chill that can be more dangerous than cold air alone.
iLIVING Shutter Fan: The All-Purpose Workhorse
The iLIVING shutter exhaust fan is the go-to choice for a reason: it balances performance, durability, and convenience without a hefty price tag. Most models come as a complete package, including a variable speed controller and pre-installed aluminum shutters. This means you aren’t hunting for separate parts; you get a fully functional system right out of the box.
This fan is a perfect fit for a small goat barn, a rabbitry, or a chicken coop housing 20-50 birds. The variable speed is its key feature. You can run it on high to clear out heat during a summer afternoon, then dial it back to a gentle, quiet flow for overnight air exchange. The automatic shutters are a massive benefit, closing tightly when the fan is off to prevent cold drafts, rain, and pests from getting in.
The trade-off for this convenience is that it isn’t an industrial powerhouse. While the motor is thermally protected and enclosed, it’s not designed for the extreme dust or moisture of a commercial operation. For the average hobby farm, however, its reliability and all-in-one design make it a smart, practical solution for 90% of ventilation needs.
TPI CE-12-DS Fan: For Heavy-Duty Air Moving
When you need to move a serious amount of air, you need a more serious fan. The TPI direct-drive fan is a step up in raw power and construction. It’s built with a heavy-duty motor and rugged steel housing, designed to run for hours on end in challenging conditions. This is the fan you choose when a standard model just isn’t cutting it.
Imagine a small barn with a few sheep during a hot, humid spell, or a section where you store composting deep litter bedding. In these situations, you need high CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) to quickly exhaust ammonia, heat, and moisture. The TPI moves a massive volume of air, effectively resetting the environment inside your barn in a matter of minutes. It’s a problem-solver for high-load areas.
That power comes with considerations. These fans are louder and consume more electricity than all-purpose models. More importantly, you typically have to buy the shutters and any speed controls separately. This adds to the overall cost and installation complexity. It’s overkill for a simple chicken coop, but for situations where robust, high-volume air exchange is non-negotiable, it’s the right tool for the job.
AC Infinity AIRLIFT T12: Smart Speed Control
The AC Infinity AIRLIFT series brings modern technology to the barn. This isn’t just a fan with a switch; it’s an automated ventilation system. It comes with a smart controller that allows you to set target temperatures and humidity levels. The fan then automatically adjusts its speed to maintain the exact environment you want.
This is a game-changer for hobby farmers with busy schedules. You can set the controller to ramp up the fan when the temperature exceeds 80°F, protecting your animals from heat stress while you’re at work. In a damp tack room or feed storage area, you can program it to kick on whenever humidity rises above 60%, preventing mold and mildew without running 24/7. This "set it and forget it" capability provides peace of mind and a healthier, more stable environment for your animals and supplies.
Of course, this advanced functionality comes at a higher price point. The digital controller and sophisticated motor are more expensive than a simple on/off fan. For someone who just needs basic air movement, it might be more than you need. But for those who want precise, automated control over their barn’s climate, the investment in an AIRLIFT fan pays for itself in efficiency and animal welfare.
Canarm AX12-1 Fan: A Reliable, Budget-Friendly Pick
Sometimes, you just need a simple, dependable fan that does one thing well: move air. The Canarm AX series is a classic example of a no-frills workhorse. It’s typically a single-speed fan with a durable motor, built for reliability over features. There are no smart controllers or fancy settings, just straightforward performance.
This is the perfect fan for a small workshop corner in your barn, a hayloft that needs some basic circulation, or any space where you can pair it with a simple wall switch or timer. It’s an economical way to add ventilation without investing in a complex system. Its simplicity is its strength; with fewer moving parts and electronics, there’s less that can go wrong over years of use.
The main limitation is the lack of control. A single-speed fan is either on or off, giving you no ability to adjust airflow for different seasons or times of day. You will also need to purchase and install shutters separately to prevent backdrafts. But if your goal is affordable and consistent air exchange, the Canarm is a tough, budget-friendly option that gets the job done.
MaxxAir IF14UPS Fan: Built for High Moisture Areas
Not all barn environments are created equal. Areas like a wash stall, a milking parlor, or a section prone to heavy winter condensation require a fan that can handle persistent moisture. The MaxxAir IF14UPS is specifically designed for these challenging, high-humidity locations.
Its key feature is a fully enclosed, thermally protected motor that resists damage from moisture and corrosion. The housing is often made from galvanized steel, offering another layer of protection against rust. This fan is built to survive where others would quickly fail. When you’re hosing down equipment or dealing with the steam from hot water, you need a fan that won’t short out or seize up.
This model comes with integrated exterior shutters, which is a huge plus for weatherproofing and efficiency. While it may not have the highest CFM rating on the market, its value lies in its durability. It’s a specialized tool. You wouldn’t put it in a dry hayloft, but for any spot where water and dampness are a daily reality, the MaxxAir provides a reliable, long-lasting ventilation solution.
Broan-NuTone 505 Fan: A Quieter Ventilation Solution
Most barn fans are designed for power, not peace and quiet. The Broan-NuTone 505, often marketed for workshops or kitchens, offers a different approach. Its primary advantage is its significantly lower noise level compared to agricultural-grade exhaust fans. This makes it an excellent choice for specific applications where minimizing stress is a priority.
Consider a kidding pen for goats or a brooder area for new chicks. In these sensitive situations, the constant roar of a powerful fan can be stressful for animals. The Broan-NuTone provides gentle, effective air exchange without the disruptive noise. It’s also a great option if your barn is located close to your house and you want to avoid the constant hum.
The clear trade-off here is power. This fan moves a much lower volume of air (CFM) than the other models on this list. It is not designed to cool a large, hot space in the middle of summer. It is a solution for providing continuous, low-level ventilation in a smaller area where quiet operation is more important than raw air-moving capacity.
Choosing Your Fan: CFM, Size, and Shutter Type
The most important metric for any fan is its CFM rating, or Cubic Feet per Minute. This tells you how much air the fan can move. To get a rough idea of your needs, calculate the cubic footage of your space (Length x Width x Height). For a small barn, you should aim for a fan that can completely exchange the air in the building at least 6-12 times per hour. A higher CFM is better for heat and moisture control.
Fan size—typically measured by the diameter of the blades (e.g., 12-inch, 16-inch)—is directly related to CFM. A larger fan can move more air more quietly than a smaller fan spinning at high speed. However, your choice will be limited by the space you have to install it. Always measure the wall space carefully before you buy, and remember you’ll be cutting a hole slightly larger than the fan’s housing.
Finally, do not overlook the shutters. Automatic shutters are essential for any hobby barn. They are louvered vents on the exterior that are pushed open by the fan’s airflow and close by gravity when the fan turns off. This simple mechanism is crucial for:
- Preventing backdrafts in cold or windy weather.
- Keeping out pests like birds and rodents.
- Protecting the fan motor from rain and snow.Some fans come with them integrated, while for others you must buy them separately. Either way, consider them a mandatory part of your ventilation system.
Ultimately, the right fan isn’t just about moving air; it’s an essential piece of animal husbandry and building maintenance. By matching the fan’s capabilities—whether it’s raw power, smart control, or quiet operation—to the specific needs of your space, you’re making a long-term investment in a healthier, drier, and more productive barn. Choose the right tool for the job, and you’ll solve problems before they even start.
