HVAC SYSTEMS
Clean air, clean future – choosing the right system
Ulrik Vadstrup, Regional Europe Sales manager for HVACR at ABB Drive Products, acknowledges that while choosing the right HVACR system remains a complex challenge, opting for drive and motor (DM) packages, as opposed to electronically commutated (EC) fans, makes the greatest sense for healthcare estates and facilities teams – given such components’ circularity, durability, and adaptability, as well as their lower overall lifecycle costs.
Healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices, all need a variety of highly specialised equipment to help medical staff treat and care for patients. When people think about this equipment, many automatically picture scanning machines, surgical instruments, and sterilisation tools, and while these are all vital, there is an often-overlooked area which is critical to delivering high-quality patient care and safeguarding the health and comfort of medical staff – air quality. Clean air and precisely controlled temperatures have a tangible impact on elements such as infection control and patient and clinician comfort, and are managed by heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems. For healthcare facilities, HVACR systems must not only meet the highest operational standards, but also align with sustainability goals to support long- term patient outcomes and environmental responsibility. Designers and managers get several chances to choose which system to install – during initial construction, but also throughout the lifetime of the facility as retrofit and upgrade programs are implemented.
Choosing the ‘right’ system can be a challenge Choosing the right HVACR system remains a complex challenge: should Facilities managers invest in electronically commutated (EC) fans, or opt for drive and motor (DM) packages? While the choice might not seem simple at first, DM
HVACR systems – and especially those designed with circularity in mind – emerge as the clear choice. DM HVACR systems which integrate the circularity principles of sustainability, reliability, durability, and reparability, offer significant benefits over EC fan systems, in terms of their environmental impact, and cost over their whole lifecycle. Circularity, once synonymous with recycling,
has evolved into a comprehensive framework that encompasses the entire product lifecycle. Often referred to as the circular economy, it emphasises sustainable sourcing, efficient use of resources, and responsible end- of-life management. For industries like healthcare, where equipment is subjected to constant use, and continued availability is vital, circularity means prioritising designs that facilitate re-use, repair, and recycling, thereby minimising waste and maximising operational efficiency. Specifically relating to HVACR systems, circularity reduces carbon emissions through less resource- intensive manufacturing processes and easily repairable components. By adopting these sustainable design and circular principles, healthcare organisations can align with
increasingly stringent global regulations and advance their progress toward achieving Net Zero carbon emissions. Circularity begins at the design and manufacturing stages of HVACR systems, where specific design choices can significantly influence a product’s lifetime environmental footprint. If these design choices are made with circularity in mind, such as by prioritising efficient resource (energy) usage and longevity, the resulting product is developed for optimal and sustainable performance. DM systems offer clear advantages over EC fans in this regard. By incorporating design elements that prioritise reparability, energy efficiency, and long-term durability, drive DM HVACR systems deliver superior environmental performance over EC fans. For example, materials used in DM systems are chosen for their resilience and suitability for long-term use, identified through rigorous testing protocols that ensure that components can withstand demanding conditions in healthcare environments and be easily serviced. These design choices result in products that are easier to maintain and repair – a critical factor in healthcare environments, where system failures and malfunctions can be detrimental to patient care.
Continuous functionality DM systems can be repaired, upgraded, and retrofitted quickly and easily, ensuring continuous functionality, and supporting sustainable management practices. In contrast, EC fans have a shorter operational lifespan, necessitating more frequent replacements. Each replacement – from production to installation – adds to their cumulative environmental impact, making drive and motor systems a more sustainable choice over time. Additionally, while
March 2025 Health Estate Journal 49
Research scientists analysing blood and genetic material samples with specialist machinery in a modern laboratory – where, as in many healthcare and associated environments, clean air is a fundamental requirement.
AdobeStock / Gorodenkoff
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