A Better Way to Measure Fan Efficiency
On average, fans consume 16% of the electricity used in commercial buildings. Until recently, the market focused primarily on converting constant speed systems to variable speed, but little attention has been paid to optimal fan selection. Research shows that selecting a fan with lower energy use can have other benefits for the building owner and occupants, such as quieter, more reliable operation. There is a new metric that makes it easy for design professionals to zero in on the most efficient fan to serve the required pressure and flow: the Fan Energy Index (FEI).
Developed by the Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA), the FEI rating is a better way to gauge the energy efficiency of stand-alone fans in commercial and industrial applications. Engineers, designers and contractors can use FEI to understand how efficiently a fan will perform at a designated duty point of flow and pressure. The FEI rating allows for an apples-to-apples comparison of energy performance across different fan types (axial, inline, etc.), speeds (variable vs. constant), sizes or drive methods (belt vs. direct). The FEI rating metric is incorporated in the newest versions of the commercial building energy code: ASHRAE 90.1-2019 and IECC-2021.
Research conducted by Slipstream showed that selecting a fan with an FEI rating beyond code requirements produces average savings of around 600 kWh/hp for fans in industrial applications and 375 kWh/hp for fans in commercial applications. For example, a more efficient 20 horsepower fan in a commercial heating and cooling application could save over $1000 per year in energy costs. While the more efficient fan may cost slightly more, the savings quickly recoup the incremental cost, resulting in a shorter payback period when comparing the more efficient fan to the code-compliant fan.
The best time for choosing the more efficient fan is when the building is in the design phase, before the money has been spent on a fan that is a poor match for the application. Specifying a fan with a high FEI rating during the design phase ensures that the energy-efficient fan can deliver energy savings and other benefits to the owner and occupants over the life of the building.
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It’s easier than ever to measure fan efficiency! The Fan Energy Index (FEI), developed by the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA), helps design professionals select the most energy-efficient fan to serve the required pressure and flow for each building. In addition to reducing energy costs, more efficient fans are quieter and more reliable. If you weren't able to attend our in-person trainings or webinars, you can watch the content on-demand today!