NET ZERO SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS
www.heatingandventilating.net
Peter Wolff, global manager, ecosystems & performance upgrades at Armstrong Fluid Technology believes it is now time for new thinking on pumps in the context of the move to Net Zero buildings
Futureproofing energy upgrades for Net Zero
U
pgrading of pumps is an essential factor in the move towards Net Zero buildings. In so many cases, however, opportunities for
significant cost reductions and environmental improvements are missed due to outdated thinking. Applying new approaches to pump replacement can transform the business case for investment and significantly improve the lifetime performance of the upgraded system, at the same time as reducing environmental impact.
1. Build in connectivity
The single biggest pitfall is replacing like-for- like. In addition to having energy efficiency advantages, today’s generation of pumps can perform important system diagnostic tasks, constantly recording and feeding back information to the facility/maintenance manager. As well as helping to maintain efficiency of the system, this information can give an early-warning if problems could be about to arise. An active performance management service such as Armstrong’s Pump Manager, for example, provides the user with
real time data from the system and each pump individually, and utilises machine learning to eliminate energy drift, providing up to 30% savings. The data received, directly from the pumps, provides early detection of potential problems such as bearing failures and cavitation, reducing and mitigating equipment failure and realising around 50% savings in maintenance costs. Another important benefit of full pump connectivity, of course, is the ability to analyse pumps remotely, enabling local HVAC engineers, anywhere in the world, to receive expert guidance from a central point.
2. Re-using pump bodies
Is it necessary to swap out the bodies of the existing pumps? The bodies of some legacy pumps, such as the Armstrong models, can be left in place, with just the controls and motor elements needing to be upgraded. This can save downtime and cost, minimise disruption, and have a major positive impact on embodied carbon performance.
3. Rethink full duty/standby
In many applications there are far more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective ways of safeguarding pump operation than having full duty/standby pumps standing idle ‘just in case’. Adopting a parallel pumping strategy (specifying two smaller pumps, each sized for 50% of the design flow) in preference to a 100% standby approach, can reduce first installed and lifecycle costs, free up space in the plant room or energy centre, and potentially halve the embodied carbon for the installation. Importantly, parallel pumping does not need to be over-complicated. The Armstrong Tango range of pump solutions, for example, incorporates two pumps into a single case and has built-in parallel sensorless pump control and embedded intelligence and connectivity for parallel pumping.
10 July 2025
4. Install pumps ahead of the rest of the project
Energy upgrade projects involve time-consuming discussions, cost justifications, budget sign-offs and, of course, design and specification. All the while this is going on, the site could be saving energy and money. Latest generation pump models are capable of tracking and collecting data with greater accuracy than traditional flow meters. So why not harness the pump’s advanced monitoring and reporting capabilities to collect the data required for designing the new system? By approaching the energy upgrade in phases and installing the new pumps ahead of the rest of the project, the pumps themselves can supply the necessary data, with a high degree of detail and accuracy. Most importantly, building owners and occupiers can start to save energy from day 1, month 1 of the initial discussions. The building and load-specific information obtained via the pump software identifies opportunities for system optimisation with high cost/benefit ratios. This assists product selection and system design for the upgrade project, whilst actual, measurable energy savings are demonstrated in real time, throughout this process, to provide a more persuasive business case for stakeholders. Breaking the project down into smaller sub-projects improves cash flow, and the business case begins to write itself. Depending on the system and load profiles, total energy savings of up to 40% are possible via this approach.
5. Harness AI during design
AI-based techniques, such as digital twinning, are already delivering significant benefits, enabling system designers to explore alternative approaches far more effectively than ever before. These tools are readily available and being used today in projects, so factor these technologies into your futureproofing.
DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW
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
