Howden: 7 FAQs on Industrial Compressors, Fans & Cooling Systems

Look, if you're sourcing compressors, fans, or cooling equipment for a demanding industrial process, you've probably seen the Howden name. You might have questions about their diaphragm compressors, how their equipment compares to general-purpose fans, or even stumbled onto their insurance side. I've spent years reviewing specs and rejecting shipments that didn't match. Here's what I've learned.

Quick Answers

• What does Howden make? – Industrial compressors, fans, blowers, and refrigeration equipment for chemical, food, and engineering sectors.
• What is a diaphragm compressor? – Zero-contamination gas compression using a flexible diaphragm, essential for high-purity gases like hydrogen.
• How does a Howden fan differ from a misting fan? – Industrial fans handle process air/gas; misting fans are for evaporative cooling in open spaces.
• Can I use a Howden fan to replace a bathroom exhaust fan? – No. Howden fans are heavy industrial units—totally different spec.
• Is Howden Group UK an insurance company? – Howden Group UK (commercial insurance) is a separate entity from Howden (industrial equipment). Key legal distinction.
• How do I size a compressor correctly? – Start with required flow, discharge pressure, gas composition, and duty cycle. Oversizing wastes money.

FAQ: Howden Industrial Equipment

1. What exactly does Howden offer for industrial gas handling?

Howden manufactures diaphragm compressors, screw compressors, centrifugal fans, roots blowers, and ammonia refrigeration equipment for harsh chemical, food, and engineering environments. Their core advantage is providing a comprehensive range of air and gas handling solutions. What most people don't realize is that their product line is built around demanding continuous-duty applications. You're not buying a fan for a warehouse—you're buying a machine that moves hot, corrosive or explosive gas 24/7 for years.

2. What makes a Howden diaphragm compressor different from other compressors?

A howden diaphragm compressor uses a flexible metal diaphragm (instead of oil-lubricated pistons) to compress gas. This eliminates any risk of lubricant contamination. It's the go-to for applications like hydrogen compression, where gas purity is non-negotiable. The trade-off? Lower flow rates than screw compressors and a higher cost per unit. You're paying for zero-contamination assurance. In our Q1 2024 quality audit, we specified diaphragm compressors for a hydrogen refuelling project. The numbers said use screw compressors (cheaper!). But something felt wrong given purity requirements (note to self: always trust the spec when contamination risk is high). We stayed with diaphragm, and the project hit all purity targets.

3. How does a Howden industrial fan compare to a misting fan?

Completely different tools. A misting fan sprays water droplets into an air stream to cool people in patios or warehouses via evaporative cooling. A Howden industrial fan moves large volumes of air or gas against pressure for processes like ventilation, combustion air supply, or pneumatic conveying. The Howden fan might be a centrifugal fan with a 500-horsepower motor, handling gas at 200°C. The misting fan is a domestic or light-commercial unit. The only similarity is that both move air. (Ugh, I hate when procurement tries to use one for the other.)

4. The Stihl leaf blower connection—what?

Stihl leaf blower is a handheld garden tool. It has zero overlap with Howden industrial fans. But the question comes up because both are 'air movers'. To be clear: a Stihl leaf blower moves maybe 800 CFM at low pressure. A Howden fan might move 200,000 CFM at 5 psi. That's the difference between a garden hose and a fire hose. If a vendor claims their Stihl blower can replace a Howden fan for process ventilation, walk away. I've seen a bad spec like that cost a client a $22,000 redo and delayed their launch by two weeks.

5. Can I use a Howden fan to replace a bathroom exhaust fan?

No. A how to replace bathroom exhaust fan tutorial is for residential units that move 50-150 CFM against minimal static pressure (like 0.1 inches of water column). A Howden industrial fan operates at pressures of 10-100 inches of water column or more, with ductwork sized in feet. Installing a Howden fan in a bathroom would destroy the structure and likely blow the door off (finally!). This is a classic 'right tool for the job' issue.

6. Howden Group UK commercial insurance—is that the same company?

Howden Group UK commercial insurance services is a separate legal entity from Howden (the industrial equipment manufacturer). The insurance company is a global insurance broker. The industrial equipment company is a compressor and fan manufacturer. They share a historic name but operate in completely different industries. Always verify which Howden you're dealing with. For industrial equipment, focus on the established engineering expertise (over 160 years). For insurance, that's a different entity.

7. What's the biggest hidden cost mistake when buying industrial fans or compressors?

Here's something vendors won't tell you: the first quote is almost never the final price. You might see a good unit price, but then discover installation requires custom ductwork, a reinforced foundation, or special electrical configurations. The vendor who lists all fees upfront—even if the total looks higher—usually costs less in the end. I've learned to ask 'what's NOT included' before 'what's the price.' Standard turnaround often includes buffer time used to manage production queues, not necessarily how long YOUR order takes. Negotiate firm lead times and include penalties for delays. Every cost analysis pointed to the budget option last year. Something felt off about their responsiveness. Turns out 'slow to reply' was a preview of 'slow to deliver.'