HVAC SYSTEMS
EC fans often contain permanent magnets that cannot be recycled, synchronous reluctance DM systems are fully recyclable, and thereby further adhere to circular principles. Healthcare facilities encompass many sensitive and
Ulrik Vadstrup
Ulrik Vadstrup is a European Regional Sales manager for HVACR industry-specific drives at ABB Drive Products, with over 25 years’ experience. Prior to assuming the role, he served as an Area Sales manager at the Danish ABB sales office for nearly a decade. During that time, he gained extensive expertise in the Danish HVACR industry, particularly focusing on the district energy sector and infrastructure, with a keen eye on energy efficiency and sustainability.
diverse environments that demand sophisticated, highly specialised, HVACR systems. For instance, isolation rooms and laboratory areas require pressure-controlled systems to mitigate contamination risks, operating rooms and theatres need high levels of filtration which can impose high static pressure demands on fans, and imaging equipment like MRI scanners are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, including from HVACR equipment. The importance of these specialised demands became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, which further highlighted the importance of maintaining high air quality standards within hospitals to minimise the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ensure the safety of patients and medical staff. Poor air quality can lead to higher concentrations of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the air, significantly increasing the risk of HAIs. These infections, acquired or occurring in healthcare facilities, are a major concern, as they can lead to prolonged hospital stays, compromised patient safety, and increased healthcare costs. The crisis also highlighted the need for robust, efficient, and adaptable systems capable of meeting rapidly changing demands.
The author argues that opting for drive and motor (DM) packages, as opposed to electronically commutated (EC) fans, makes the greatest sense for healthcare estates and facilities teams.
Elevating DM packages to a new standard Recent advancements in motor technologies and fan designs have elevated DM packages to a new standard, matching or surpassing EC fan systems in overall efficiency. This development enables lower carbon emissions and reduced operational energy costs, providing healthcare facilities with a solution that is both environmentally and economically advantageous. Many older HVACR set-ups rely on direct on-line motor connection and mechanical methods to regulate fans, pumps, and compressors, which can be inefficient in terms of energy usage and costly to operate. Upgrading to modern systems equipped with Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) and high-efficiency motors provides a solution that is both flexible and energy-efficient, and can be installed in one combined DM package. VSDs enable centralised systems to dynamically adjust
to varying load demands, as the output of individual fans and pumps can be adjusted, optimising energy use without compromising performance. In fact, according to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, this adjustment can lead to a 25-40% reduction in energy
consumption depending on the system and building design, resulting in significant energy cost savings. Unlike legacy systems that operate at full capacity regardless of actual needs, VSD-equipped systems allow for targeted air quality and temperature control across different hospital zones. This adaptability improves overall system efficiency, while reducing energy waste. Additionally, the connectivity capabilities of VSD-controlled high-efficiency motors enables remote monitoring of HVACR systems, allowing for quick responses to issues such as system malfunctions. Data-driven maintenance decisions, made possible by real-time analytics, enable efficient pumping processes, and further reduce energy consumption – by up to 40% in some cases. Moreover, VSDs help to address the problem of
oversized systems, which are often installed to meet peak demand, but operate inefficiently during normal conditions. By tailoring system performance to real- time requirements, VSDs ensure consistent air quality and energy savings, contributing to both operational excellence and environmental stewardship. One challenge in upgrading older healthcare facilities is managing harmonic distortion – a characteristic of variable speed drives where electrical disturbances can disrupt sensitive medical equipment and reduce system efficiency. Harmonics increase line current, meaning that when fitting VSDs, power cables and other components might need to be re-sized to be able to accommodate the higher current. Ultra-Low Harmonic (ULH) drives offer a practical solution to this issue. By incorporating advanced filtering and control mechanisms, ULH drives minimise harmonic distortion, ensuring that critical medical equipment used to treat patients operates reliably, while improving overall energy efficiency. Compared with a conventional drive, which has 40% current harmonics, a ULH drive brings harmonics down to just 3%.
Existing equipment lifespan These solutions not only enhance system reliability, but also extend the lifespan of HVACR system components, protecting sensitive equipment, and enhancing the durability of the system. This also ensures compliance with regulatory standards which govern harmonics and electrical quality, such as Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements. For healthcare facilities, where uninterrupted operation is essential, ULH drives represent a critical investment in both system performance and patient safety, as they yield substantial benefits in terms of energy efficiency and operational cost savings. Finally, prolonging the lifespan of HVACR systems is an integral part of maintaining circularity principles. In a world with finite resources, extending the life cycles of HVACR systems reduces waste, lowers environmental impact, and cuts costs. Drive and motor systems excel in this area, typically lasting 4-5 times longer than EC fans in the same environment. This durability translates to significant environmental and economic benefits for individual facilities, and even more when scaled across the whole healthcare sector. Fewer replacements mean reduced manufacturing emissions, less transportation, and lower overall energy consumption within healthcare environments. Additionally, the ULH capabilities and the modular design of DM packages reduce maintenance costs as they protect the systems while in operation, further aligning with circular economy principles. While DM packages are usually modular for ease of installation, repair, and replacement, EC fans are typically designed as integrated units, making them difficult to repair or recycle. When these systems fail, they often require
50 Health Estate Journal March 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
