Ventilation Fan Bearings Demystified: What You Must Know

This text is indeed made to combine, condense, and at the same time, simplistically exaggerate the fragmented information about the bearings of ventilation fans. Since not all fan manufacturers provide information about the bearings of the fans, and ventilation equipment manufacturers do not know or tell them. For this reason, it is sometimes difficult or impossible to say which bearings fit a particular fan without opening the motor.

This blog aims to compile this compatibility information.

Primarily, our online store’s product names and texts include bearings for fans that suck from one side only, because changing the bearings of fans that suck from two sides with our tools is laborious enough that the total cost of the work rises to several hundred euros. That’s why there has been no accumulation of our own knowledge about the compatibility of these fans. However, DIY work at home is free, so the listing may include these as well, if such information becomes available.

An Affordable Alternative to a New Fan

Compared to replacing a fan, changing the bearings is an affordable option, and the piece price of the bearings ranges from a few euros to tens of euros depending on the fan. Whereas ventilation machine’s fans rotate at about 100 € upwards, averaging around 150-200 €.

However, some newer models of Enervent fans may have ceramic balls in the bearings. In these fans, traditional bearings do not last long because their electrical conductivity prevents the fan from operating in the device. These bearings are a bit more expensive.

We also have a short instructional video on how to change the fan bearings: (here is also a link to the video)

Although the video shows replacing bearings on an AC fan, the process is similar for EC fans, except for the electronics in front. The fan in the video was dug out of a waste pile, and the hole in the metal plate is there for unknown reasons. It is not advisable to do so.

Bearings in Fans

Typically, AC fans have dust-sealed bearings, and EC fans have moisture-sealed bearings (rubber seals). However, there may be some exceptions.

For instance, radial fans that suck from one side almost always have 2 bearings, which are often the same. In some cases, such as in fans starting with R3G146-, there are two different options for bearings, either two of the same or the fan has two different bearings. In-home ventilation units with fans sucking from both sides, there are more bearings.

How Do I Find Bearings for a Ventilation Fan?

To clarify bearings are not specific to the model of the ventilation machine but to the fan. Fan model information is usually found on the center part of the fan on the blade side, or the mounting side, as well as on the side of the mounting part, depending on when the fan was manufactured. This information can also be found on the cover if the fan left the factory with its casing.

Recommended When Replacing Bearings

It is advisable and beneficial to clean the fan blades of all dirt when replacing the bearings, as the fan is already on the table. This can be done with low-pressure air or a vacuum cleaner with a brush, being careful not to damage the fan blades.

In Conclusion

To sum up, this compatibility information about bearings is not exactly an exact science, as can be seen from the compatibility table at the end of the page, for example, EBM G3G146- and R3G146- starting fans are compatible with bearings of two different inner diameters. And so far, it is unclear how this information will appear in the fan model or type information.

Lastly, if you feel uncertain, the best way to ensure the bearings of your own fan is to check the fan itself.