What is destratification? 
Destratification is the reduction of temperature differences between different heights in a room. In tall buildings, warm air naturally rises, creating temperature layers or stratification. As a result, it can be significantly warmer under the ceiling than at floor level. With destratification, this warm air is brought back down and mixed with the cooler air, so that the temperature in the room is distributed more evenly. The mixing of the different air layers is performed by destratification fans – also known as ceiling fans.
A simple example is a warehouse with a height of eight meters. At working height, the temperature can be 18 °C, while a temperature of 25 °C is measured under the ceiling. A large portion of the heat is then located in a place where it contributes little to the comfort of the users. Through destratification, this heat is returned to the occupied zone.
The temperature rise due to stratification depends strongly on the type of building, the height of the room, the heating method, and the air circulation. A temperature gradient of approximately 0.5 to 1 °C per meter is often assumed in high spaces without destratification. This is usually a realistic estimate for warehouses, sports halls, and industrial buildings. When a well-functioning destratification system is present, this gradient can often be reduced to less than 0.2 to 0.3 °C per meter of height.
Destratification is therefore a technique in which warm air accumulating under the ceiling is redistributed throughout the space. This creates a more uniform temperature distribution, which can benefit both user comfort and the energy efficiency of the building.
What are the benefits of destratification?
Destratification is particularly useful in high spaces such as warehouses, production halls, sports halls, churches, airport terminals, and atriums. The principle is mainly of interest when the space is higher than approximately four to five meters, when it is heated, and when there are significant temperature differences between the floor and the ceiling.
A well-designed destratification system increases thermal comfort by distributing the temperature more evenly. Additionally, significant energy savings can be realised because less heat is lost through the roof. The living area is also heated more quickly and efficiently.
When applying destratification, several points are important to consider. For instance, air should be blown downwards at excessive speed, as this can cause drafts and negatively affect comfort. Additionally, proper control is essential. Destratification only offers benefits when actual temperature differences are present, as ceiling fans also consume energy. The energy consumption of the ceiling fans must be lower than the heat losses caused by destratification.
To verify this, temperature sensors are installed at floor and ceiling level to automatically control the operation. In low spaces, such as homes and offices, temperature differences are typically limited and the energy-saving effect is usually smaller. Finally, the operation of the destratification system must be properly coordinated with the existing ventilation and heating systems so that the different airflows do not interfere with each other.
Sentera Destratification controller DSCA8-DM
The Sentera Destratification Controller DSCA8-DM is an intelligent HVAC control solution, designed to improve temperature distribution in large spaces with high ceilings, such as warehouses, manufacturing facilities, logistics centers, gymnasiums, and commercial buildings. In these environments, warm air naturally rises and accumulates near the ceiling, creating a significant temperature difference between the upper and lower parts of the room. This phenomenon, known as heat stratification, often leads to discomfort and unnecessary heating costs.
The controller addresses this issue by continuously monitoring temperatures at two different heights using PT500 sensors—one installed near the ceiling and another nearby the floor level. PT500 sensors are available in different enclosure types:
If desired, different housings can be used for the floor and ceiling sensors. The temperature sensors are not included in DSCA8-DM, so that you can select the best-fitting housing for your application.
Based on the measured temperature difference, the controller automatically regulates the speed of connected ceiling fans. When the temperature difference increases, the controller increases fan speed to circulate the warm air trapped near the ceiling and redistribute it throughout the space. As the temperature becomes more uniform, fan speed is reduced accordingly, ensuring energy-efficient operation.
Ceiling fans with EC motor
The DSCA8-DM controller features one analogue output, allowing it to manage one or multiple ceiling fans with EC motors. Its control algorithm automatically adjusts performance without requiring constant user intervention, helping maintain optimal indoor conditions while minimizing energy consumption.
The DSCA8-DM controller features a built-in thermostat. If warm air blowers are installed, they can be controlled via the relay output (ON-OFF). By supplying warm air under the ceiling fans, it can be evenly distributed throughout the entire room.
Ceiling fans with AC motor
For ceiling fans with AC motor, the analogue output signal transmits the desired fan speed to the fan speed controller. Following fan speed controllers can be combined with the DSCA8-DM destratification controller:
- Frequency inverters with analogue input
- Continuously variable Electronic fan speed controllers with analogue input
- 5-step Transformer fan speed controllers with analogue input
In addition to its local control functions, the controller supports Modbus RTU communication, enabling integration into building management systems and advanced HVAC control networks. When connected to the SenteraWeb cloud platform through a compatible internet gateway, users can remotely monitor system operation, access historical data, receive alarms and notifications, and modify settings from any location.
By reducing heat stratification, the DSCA8-DM Destratification Controller can significantly improve occupant comfort, lower heating demand, reduce energy costs, and contribute to a more sustainable building operation. It is particularly valuable in facilities where heating expenses are high and ceiling heights make temperature imbalance a persistent challenge.