FEATURE AIR CONDITIONING
INVEST IN ENERGY AUDITS: It could save you £££’s
speeds. The in-built EC fan control module allows for fan speed modulation from 0-100 percent; in comparison, the modulating range of a standard AC fan is typically 40-100 percent of full fan speed. In addition to fan upgrades, an energy survey might identify further efficiency- saving opportunities such as, for example, incorporating electronic expansion valves (EEVs), upgrading inverters, compressors, coils and pumps or installing software controls, energy meters and sequencers. Upgrades such as these can quickly pay back the cost of investment. To supplement component upgrades,
Adrian Trevelyan, UK Service Manager for Airedale International Air Conditioning explores how energy audits and component upgrades are offering major cost saving benefits and can help reach optimum running efficiency in heating and cooling systems
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hilst end users and contractors are increasingly specifying more
energy-efficient components like EC fans on new HVAC equipment there are still thousands of systems installed pre and post millennium that will benefit enormously from being upgraded. With rising energy costs and an increasing focus on carbon reduction, many businesses are now finding it pays dividends to invest in an energy audit of their heating and cooling estate. The savings can be considerable, both in terms of reduced energy consumption as well as increased uptime and lower charges associated with planned maintenance, especially when carried out as part of a wider programme of energy- efficiency measures. A typical energy survey will look at the
performance of the complete system, including refrigerant sub-cooling and superheats, as well as the chilled water system, and will also assess the fan airflow path to make sure it is as efficient as possible. A relatively straightforward solution
that can quickly contribute to energy savings is to replace traditional AC fans
14 SPRING 2014 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT
with EC (Electronically Commutated) fans in precision air conditioning and cooling applications, reducing power consumption by up to 70 percent. EC fans are typically 50 percent more
efficient than previous generation fans, and use variable speed control matched to load to eliminate unnecessary energy usage. Integrating intelligent controls will improve energy efficiency still further by precisely matching speed to demand. The quiet, direct drive motors on the EC fans bring further business benefits by removing the need for belt replacement, maximising system uptime.
THE TECHNOLOGY EC centrifugal fans incorporate electronically commutated DC motor controls using semi-conductor modules which respond to signals from the indoor unit. The integrated AC to DC conversion combines the flexibility of connecting to AC mains with the efficiency and simple speed control of a DC motor. With its highly efficient backward-curved impeller, the EC fan significantly reduces power in comparison with equivalent AC fans at both full and modulated fan
Based on estimates, every 1kW of power saved for each hour of continuous operation could bring savings of £876 per annum, so the savings soon stack up
the integration of intelligent controls technology can also make an important contribution to optimising system performance and reducing power draw. On sites with air cooled and free-cooling chillers, the sequencer can be programmed so that the free-cooling chiller is the first to start up when the ambient is low. A fully integrated Building Energy Management System (BEMS) will provide advanced energy- management capabilities such as live CO2 emissions and PUE calculations; additional capability to control different zones and adapt parameters to suit peak and off-peak requirements will also help reduce energy consumption. With any audit, best practice is for contractor and client to work closely together in order to build a business case for budget approval. This may involve installing the unit on a trial basis and taking ‘before and after’ readings of power and airflow to demonstrate the savings. A reputable service provider will also re-commission the cooling system for optimum performance after completing any work. There is also a case for planned, preventative maintenance, especially in business-critical environments such as data centres. Planned maintenance not only ensures that ‘distress purchase’ situations are avoided due to unexpected system breakdown but also helps to improve system resilience, increase energy efficiency and enhance system optimisation for improved performance.
Airedale International Air Conditioning
www.airedale.com 0113 239 1000
Enter 203 / ENERGYMANAGEMENT
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