HVAC
Building Services Engineers globally are quickly realising the energy
ENERGY EFFICIENCY VIA EC UPGRADE
reduction potential in their buildings through upgrading HVAC equipment to innovative Electronically Commutated (EC) Fans from ebm-papst.
An EC motor is a mains-fed, brushless, permanent magnet motor with electronic commutation. EC motors are more than 90% efficient in converting electrical input into air power. As a result, they consume up to 70% less energy, compared to AC technology. EC cost savings can mean payback periods as good as 12 months
HVAC equipment accounts for 40% of the energy consumption in a commercial building. One of the simplest ways to reduce the energy consumption in buildings is to ensure that all HVAC equipment is fitted with the highest efficiency EC fans.
All businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce their energy consumption whether it be as a result of rising energy costs or the need to reduce carbon emissions. It is therefore important that solutions are found for the simplest and most cost-effective ways of reducing a building’s energy consumption.
A complete retrofit or replacement of a system is not needed to maximise performance and reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. Simply switching to variable EC fans in chillers, air handling units (AHUs) and fan coils will improve efficiencies and cut costs.
MARKS & SPENCER
1,404 fans and 258 condensers were rolled out in 152 Marks & Spencer stores across the UK and Ireland. The EC technology substantially improved the energy performance of the refrigeration systems in the stores with annual savings estimated at £500,000. The project took just three months to complete and was part of an energy saving exercise to reduce the carbon footprint across the estate.
28 | TOMORROW’S FM
A number of high profile case studies demonstrate the outstanding results of upgrading to EC technology. Whilst many new facilities built in the UK already incorporate EC fans in their HVAC equipment, most older buildings continue to use
inefficient equipment. Rather than spending capital on buying brand new equipment, often a more cost-effective option is to upgrade the fans in existing equipment to new, high-efficiency EC fans.
Upgrading to EC fans offers the following key benefits: • Up to 70% reduction in energy consumption • Integrated, infinitely variable speed control • Reduced noise • Payback periods as low as two years • Direct drive motors for maintenance free operation
• They are in most cases directly interchangeable with their inefficient predecessors, allowing for simple replacement with minimal disruption.
Simple steps to a successful EC upgrade:
Stage 1 – Site Survey - The first step is to make an initial survey of existing equipment to establish the feasibility of the project. This will include potential savings and payback.
Stage 2 – Estimated Savings - After the initial feedback, an estimate of the potential savings in energy consumption, carbon and financial cost is provided. This will indicate the cost of EC fan installation and the payback period.
Stage 3 – Trial Installation – When proceeding with an EC fan upgrade, an initial trial installation to confirm the figures is recommended. For example, if the upgrade of 100 fan coil units is proposed, the trial should begin with one or two to confirm the savings estimates.
Stage 4 – Site Rollout - Following a successful trial installation, the information is there to implement a site-wide upgrade. This can be done all in one go, or in a phased programme over several months or years. This will allow the planning and implementation of a successful HVAC energy reduction project.
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