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Title

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


Topic

Fan Efficiency Metric & Market Surveillance


Authors

BUBLITZ Mark
The New York Blower Company

La Porte - United States
mbublitz@nyb.com
CATANIA Tom
University of Michigan

Ann Arbor - United States
tcf@aol.com
IVANOVICH Michael
AMCA International

Arlington Heights - United States
mivanovich@amca.org
MATHSON Tim
Greenheck Fan Corporation

Schofield - United States
tim.mathson@greenheck.com
MOHSINA Nazme
AMCA International

Arlington Heights - United States
nmohsina@amca.org
PERSFUL Trinity
Twin City Fan & Blower

Arlington Heights - United States
tpersful@tcf.com
STEVENS Mark
AMCA International

Arlington Heights - United States
mstevens@amca.org

Abstract

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.