Fan Energy Efficiency Metrics and Fan Selection in Commercial and Industrial Fan Systems

Fan Efficiency Metric & Market Surveillance

Fan efficiency metrics form a key component of energy efficiency regulation as applied to air movement fans. Within the United States, energy efficiency regulation has been under development but not implemented for air movement fans. Recent activity by regulatory bodies implies implementation of energy efficiency regulation is imminent in the United States. When compliance with regulation becomes legally binding the implications to manufacturers of air movement fans, because of the metric embedded in the regulation, is significant. Fan Energy Index (FEI) and Fan Electrical Power (FEP) are design-point metrics that emphasize compliant fan selections and are, as a result, a new and different approach from the traditional method of eliminating product models based on best-efficiency points and minimum efficiency thresholds. Consequently, FEI and FEP address the challenge inherent in and unique to fans: separating a fan’s energy efficiency capability from the energy efficiency of the fan as applied in a system.
This paper conducts a historical review of the regulatory development in Europe and the United States, reviews and evaluates first-generation fan efficiency metrics, defines and develops the new metrics of FEI and FEP, and describes how these new metrics can be applied in regulations and rebate programs. The paper also investigates how these new metrics provide improved fan selections and as a result save more energy than traditional energy efficiency metrics. The paper concludes with a discussion on the practical consequences for air movement fan manufactures when regulation becomes legally binding in the Unites States.