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MEES QUICK WINS: Upgrade your fan component


With new


Minimum Energy Eciency Standards (MEES) introduced last month,


Helen McHugh, Head of New Product Research at ebmpapst, explores the energy eciency benefits achievable through only upgrading the fan component of HVAC systems to EC Technology.


rom April, the new legal standard for minimum energy efficiency applies to rented commercial buildings. The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, known in the industry as the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES), have now been confirmed and passed into law. The key points to note are: uMinimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) make it unlawful for properties with F or G Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) to be let, without implementing cost-effective energy efficiency improvements or fulfilling an exemption criterion. uMinimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) came into effect on 1st April this year for new leases and lease renewals/extensions where there is an EPC already.


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from single phase or three phase mains supplies. The result is high performance, silent speed control and long-life expectancy in a product which is the same size as the old, power hungry AC products it replaces.


There is a great deal of debate about the accuracy of EPC ratings; it is therefore important for landlords to first make ensure their EPC rating is accurate. It is now unlawful to let a property that is classed with a sub-standard EPC rating and it could also be more difficult to sell the property unless it is upgraded. A low EPC rating could also have a significant impact on the value of the property. This will impact on those looking to sell a commercial property or to raise finance against assets.


HVAC (heating, ventilation and air- conditioning) and lighting are areas where simple measures can provide quick wins. Now is a good time for landlords to make plans to upgrade commercial buildings and benefit from the large gains available in terms of energy efficiency.


uMarks & Spencer achieved energy savings of over £500,000 by upgrading to EC technology.


HVAC systems are typically responsible for 60% of a building's energy consumption, so reducing the energy impact of these units can be very rewarding for building, energy and facility managers. One of the simplest ways to reduce energy consumption in a commercial building is to ensure all HVAC equipment is fitted with the highest efficiency ‘EC technology’ fans. EC motors are brushless DC motors powered by AC mains. They use permanent magnet motors, running on high voltage direct current (DC) electricity, with built in AC to DC conversion, allowing them to run direct


It's not always financially viable to upgrade entire HVAC systems to reap the benefits of this improved technology. This article looks to explore the 5 core benefits from only upgrading the ‘fan’ component of a HVAC system to EC technology. These systems include Air Handling Units (AHUs), Computer Room Air Conditioning Units (CRAC), chillers, condensers and fan coils units.


Energy savings = flnancial savings


It goes without saying that by reducing your energy usage, you will reduce the cost of your energy bills.


In partnership with AB Group, we helped Marks & Spencer achieve energy savings of over £500,000 by upgrading to EC technology. 1,404 fans and 258 condensers were installed in 152 stores across the UK and Ireland. Following the upgrade, there is an estimated annual energy reduction of 3,265.3 kWh per fan, equalling a saving of £375.51 per fan, representing an annual saving of £527,223.


Reduce carbon emissions


Since the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK Parliament aims to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% (from the 1990 baseline) by 2050. As a result, when ebm-papst presented the Scottish Parliament with details of the energy savings achievable by upgrading their HVAC equipment to EC fans, a survey was requested. Working alongside equipment manufacturer Airedale, we upgraded the Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units and Air Handling Units (AHUs) to the optimum solution EC fan. The project resulted in initial annual savings of 11.5 tonnes of carbon and when the second phase is implemented, a total reduction of 20 tonnes per year has been estimated.


Increased controllability


In keeping with our GreenTech philosophy, we made advancements to our variable speed EC fans, enabling them to be controlled and monitored remotely. These developments have enabled end users to quickly and easily change the speed of the fans based on their needs, or the information from sensors and monitors.


32 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MAY 2018


uEC fans have a longer life expectancy than AC fans. Due to the higher eciency of the EC motors, they run much cooler which increases the bearing life.


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In one case, we created a customised, stand-alone system that had fan alarm monitoring, as well as remote speed control for the FCUs they were upgrading. This allowed the customer to set the speed of individual FCUs, and identify any failures or alarms from a single control box located in their Facilities Office. When they reduced the fan speed by 10%, we calculated an energy consumption saving of approximately 40%.


Longer service life


EC fans have a longer life expectancy than AC fans. Due to the higher efficiency of the EC motors, they run much cooler which increases the bearing life. By replacing the fan component (which may be coming to the end of its life expectancy), the service life of the entire CRAC or AHU unit is increased.


Reduce maintenance costs


Most legacy CRAC and AHU units are fitted with belt driven centrifugal fans and external control electronics. These fans require a lot of space and have high maintenance costs related to wear-and-tear of parts. Often, large, inefficient belt-driven forward curved blowers are used. In comparison, EC centrifugal fans have impressive efficiency and compactness. Running costs and maintenance work are reduced by the simple ‘plug and play’ system which removes the requirement for transmission belts and


commissioning. They can deliver overall efficiency of over 60%.


www.ebmpapst.co.uk


uCentrifugal fan with belt drive vs RadiFit.


‘ EC centrifugal


fans have impressive eciency and compactness. Running costs and maintenance work are reduced by the simple ‘plug and play’ system which removes the requirement for transmission belts and


commissioning.


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