Yeah, they don't need to be loud, but a few hundred fans tends to add up. On the other hand, they also really help with air flow.

It'd probably be cheaper to get some large fans at the end of the rows to circulate air in the room. For added alpha-geekiness, add neon lighting to the fan.

Or do it Blade Runner style: one huge man-sized fan at the end of the room venting the heat to the rest of the house. Leave the room dark, add some smoke machines, and backlight the big-ass fan.

I'm sure the lab rats will appreciate the awesomeness of it.