• Cold Air Drain®
  • About the Product
  • Benefits
  • Applications
  • Power Options
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Getting Started
  • Getting Started
• Pricing
  • Pricing
  • Sales
• Product Comparison
  • Cold Air Drain® v. Wind Machine
  • Cost Comparison
• Sustainability
  • Saving Water
  • Saving Energy
  • Reducing Noise
  • Reducing Pollution
• Education
  • Publications
  • Presentations
• Events Schedule

Publications

Reports:
Sound Levels for the Shur Farms Cold Air Drain^®
Exploratory Study Report
An exploratory study measuring the decibel levels for the Cold Air Drain^® #1550 model with several available power options was conducted at the Shur Farms Frost Protection^® manufacturing facility in Colton, California. Findings showed that as the distance from the Cold Air Drain^® unit increased, the decibel level decreased. The decibel level for each power unit tested was highest at 5ft from the engine for both the engine side and the side opposite the engine. The decibel levels at 5ft from each power unit on the engine side were comparable to the level of city traffic from inside a car. The decibel levels at 5ft from each power unit on the side opposite of the engine were comparable to the levels of a telephone dial tone. At a distance of 100ft the decibel levels for both the engine side and opposite the engine approximated the level of normal conversation. The findings from this exploratory study suggested that the Cold Air Drain^® #1550 with each power unit may be significantly quieter than traditional wind machines.
Full Report

Tablas Creek Vineyard
Paso Robles, CA
An initial study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Shur Farms Cold Air Drain^® was conducted at Tablas Creek Vineyard during the spring 2003 frost season. The accumulation of cold air in the lowest areas of Tablas Creek Vineyard contributed substantially to annual frost damage. The Cold Air Drain^® was expected to increase the temperature in the lower elevation areas, thereby reducing the natural temperature difference between the higher (non-accumulation) and lower (accumulation) areas. The Cold Air Drain^® reduced the natural temperature difference by approximately 2.5°C (4.5 °F). No frost damage at Tablas Creek Vineyard was reported at the end of the spring 2003 frost season.
Full Report

Hammond's Buena Vista Vineyard
Paso Robles, CA
An initial study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Shur Farms Cold Air Drain^® was conducted at Hammond’s Buena Vista Vineyard from March-July 2004. The accumulation of cold air in the lowest area of Hammond’s Buena Vista Vineyard contributed substantially to approximately annual frost damage. The Cold Air Drain^® was expected to increase the temperature in the lower elevation area, thereby reducing the natural temperature difference between the higher (non-accumulation) and lower (accumulation) areas. The net temperature increment achieved by the Cold Air Drain^® was approximately 1.5°C. No frost damage at Hammond’s Buena Vista Vineyard was reported at the end of the spring 2004 frost season.
Full Report

Simpkins Family Vineyard
Napa, CA
An initial study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Shur Farms Cold Air Drain^® was conducted at Simpkins Family Vineyard during the spring 2004 frost season. The accumulation of cold air in the lowest area of Simpkins Family Vineyard contributed substantially to annual frost damage.  The Cold Air Drain^® was expected to increase in the temperature in the lower elevation area, thereby reducing the natural temperature difference between the higher (non-accumulation) and lower (accumulation) areas. The net temperature increment achieved by the Cold Air Drain^® was approximately 1°C.  No frost damage at Simpkins Family Vineyard was reported at the end of the spring 2004 frost season.
Full Report

Three Amigos Vineyard
Napa, CA
An initial study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Shur Farms Cold Air Drain^® was conducted at Three Amigos Vineyard during the spring 2004 frost season. The accumulation of cold air in the lowest area of Three Amigos Vineyard contributed substantially to approximately annual frost damage. The Cold Air Drain^® was expected to increase in the temperature in the lower elevation area, thereby reducing the natural temperature difference between the higher (non-accumulation) and lower (accumulation) areas. The net temperature increment achieved by the Cold Air Drain^® was approximately 3°C.  No frost damage at Three Amigos Vineyard was reported at the end of the spring 2004 frost season.
Full Report

Newsletters:
Newsletters are available in the Newsletter Archive.

Articles:
Cavanaugh, Patrick. April 2002. "Frost Protection: A New Method of Frost Control is Appearing in Orchards". Nut Producer Magazine.
"Viticulture: New Twist on Frost Protection." 22 April 2004. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
McMullin, Eric. April 2005. "Innovative Frost Protection System Gets Rid of Cold Air". Ag Alert. California Farm Bureau.
McClain, Megan. January 4, 2009. "Company Develops 'Greener' Method of Frost Protection". Redlands Daily Facts.
Frey, Nick. Winter 2009. "Frost Protection Accumulation Areas". Vine Times. Sonoma County Vinegrape Commission. Online. http://www.sonomawinegrape.org/sites/default/files/files/newsletter-fall-2009.pdf. pp 6.
Franson, Paul. December 2009. "To Blow Up or Down? Inverted Sink Fans Offer Alternative Form of Frost Protection". Wines & Vines Magazine.
Pregler, Bill. January 2010. "Frost Protection-Managing the Air". Wine Business Monthly.
Steeves, Judy. Spring 2011. "Smaller Machine a Big Hit with OK Falls Cherry Grower". British Columbia Fruit Grower Magazine: 9.1. Online. http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1rg9u/BritishColumbiaFruit/resources/7.htm. pp. 10.

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