Air system performance is greatly influenced by how the system is designed and how equipment is sized, selected, installed, controlled, and operated within the system. These factors have an influence an order of magnitude greater than the marginal gains possible when attempting to increase the efficiency of any one component. With this in mind, AMCA advocates lifecycle best practices for air systems.
This section of the AMCA website provides links to information and resources for lifecycle performance of air systems and equipment. It has the following sections:
Technical Articles: Fan Efficiency Codes, Standards, & Regulation
- Fan Efficiency Requirements for ASHRAE 90.1-2013, by John Cermak, PhD, ACME Engineering; and Michael Ivanovich, AMCA International, ASHRAE Journal, April 2013.
- Fan Efficiency Regulations - Where Are They Going?, by Michael Ivanovich, AMCA International, AMCA inmotion, Summer 2012 (Supplement to the August 2012 issue of ASHRAE Journal).
- A 2020 Vision for Regulating Air System Efficiency, by Wade Smith, PE, AMCA International, AMCA inmotion, Summer 2012 (Supplement to the August 2012 issue of ASHRAE Journal).
- Fan Motor Efficiency Grades in the European Market, by Armin Hauer, ebm papst, and Joe Brooks, AMCA International, AMCA inmotion, Summer 2012 (Supplement to the August 2012 issue of ASHRAE Journal).
- The Role of Fan Efficiency in Achieving Energy Reduction Goals, by Michael Brendel, PhD, Lau Fan, AMCA inmotion, Summer 2012 (Supplement to the August 2012 issue of ASHRAE Journal).
- Fan Efficiency Grade: A Cool New Metric to Improve Efficiency, by Martha Hewett, Minnesota Center for Energy and Environment, Blog post July 27, 2012.
- Fan Efficiency Grades: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, by Tim Mathson, Greenheck; and Michael Ivanovich, AMCA International. AMCA inmotion. Fall 2011.
- The Role of Fan Efficiency in Reducing HVAC Energy Consumption, by Michael Brendel, PhD., Lau Industries/Ruskin. AMCA inmotion. Spring 2010.
- Fan Industry Meeting Energy Challenges, by John Cermak, PhD, PE, ACME Engineering; John Murphy PhD, JOGRAM Inc.; Joe Brooks, PE, AMCA International Inc. AMCA inmotion. Spring 2009.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE COMPENDIUM:
Fan Efficiency Standards for Commercial & Industrial Buildings:
A collection of six articles on fan efficiency that have been previously published in AMCA inmotion. Includes the following articles:
• The Role of Fan Efficiency in Reducing HVAC Energy Consumption
• Fan Industry Meeting Energy Challenges
• AMCA's Fan Efficiency Grades: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
• Fan Efficiency Regulations: Where Are They Going?
• The Role of Fan Efficiency in Achieving Energy Reduction Goals
• Performance and Reliability Assurance of Custom Engineered and Manufactured Fans for Industrial and Utility Applications
Technical Articles: Design – sizing, selection, specification
- Minimizing Fan Energy, by Scott Smith, PE, Accuspec Inc. HPAC Engineering, September 2012.
- How to Improve Energy Efficiency of Fans for Air Handling Units, by Nejc Brelih, junior project engineer, REHVA (Federation of European Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Associations). February, 2012.
- How ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Will Affect HVAC Design, by Jeff Boldt, PE, LEED AP, KJWW Engineering, Consulting-Specifying Engineer, January 2012.
- Achieving Optimal Fan Performance, by Mark Stevens, AMCA International, Consulting-Specifying Engineer. December 2011.
- High-Performance VAV Systems, by John Murphy, Trane, ASHRAE Journal, October 2011 (search for the title at www.ashrae.org).
- Select Fans Using Fan Total Pressure To Save Energy, by John Cermak, Ph.D., ACME Engineering, John Murphy, PhD., JOGRAM Inc. ASHRAE Journal. July 2011.
- Basic Fan Selection, by Tim Mathson, Greenheck. HPAC Engineering. July 2011.
- How to Select a VFD, by John Yoon, PE, LEED AP, McGuire Engineers Inc. Consulting-Specifying Engineer. November 2010.
- Efficient Motors or Efficient System Designs?, by Kenneth Lovorn, PE. Engineered Systems. September 2010.
- Fan Selection and Energy Savings, by Brian Mleziva. Greenheck. HPAC Engineering. August 2010.
- VFDs and Motors: Making the Right Match, Syed M. Peeran, PhD, PE, Camp Dresser & McKee. Consulting-Specifying Engineer. July 2008.
- The Myth About Fan Static Pressure, by Dr. Alex London, PE. Engineered Systems. March 2006.
- Know Your Fans, by Khalil Kairouz, Ph.D., P.E. and Dale Price. Engineered Systems. May 2005.
Technical Articles: Applications – air systems and buildings
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A Fresh Look at Fans, by Mark Hydeman, PE and Jeff Stein, PE, Taylor Engineering. HPAC Engineering, May 2003.
Industrial Energy Efficiency Resources
U.S. Department of Energy
Note: In 2011, DOE's "Office of Industrial Technologies" was renamed to "Advanced Manufacturing Office"
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Software: Fan System Assessment Tool (FSAT). U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Technologies Program. FSAT is a free online software tool that helps industrial users quantify energy use and savings opportunities in industrial fan systems.
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Two-Hour Webcast on Fan System Assessment Tool, from DOE Industrial Technologies Program.
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Other Engineering Resources
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Advanced Variable Air Volume System Design Guide, University of California & California State University Project Teams, 2003. Note: This manual is written for HVAC designers and focuses on built-up variable air volume (VAV) systems in multi-story commercial office buildings in California.
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Commercial Energy Services Network (COMNET) Modeling Guidelines and Procedures, Fan Systems, Baseline Building Fan System Summary. Note: COMNET energy efficiency calculation process serves multiple purposes, including the following:
- Establishing eligibility for federal tax deductions per Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code;
- Calculating percent savings for point eligibility related to green building rating systems; and
- Estimating annual energy use for a building in the design phase for the purpose of energy labels.
Resources on System effect
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Technical articles
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AMCA publications
Air System Specifications
AMCA International is working with ARCOM, which publishes MasterSpec for the American Institute of Architects), to review MasterSpec sections involving air movement and control products. The collaboration will update and refine references to AMCA standards and publications. For more information, read Fan and Damper Specs Update by Michael Ivanovich, AMCA International; and Michael King, ARCOM. AMCA inmotion, Fall 2011.
Power Point Presentations
From 2012 ASHRAE Annual Meeting, San Antonio:
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As covered in the blog post by Martha Hewett of Minnesota's Center for Energy and Environment, Michael Brendel, PhD, Lau Fan, gave this presentation Fan Efficiency Grades and Selection Points at Peak Total Pressure at the ASHRAE Annual Meeting in San Antonio. John Cermak, PhD, ACME Engineering and Manufacturing, presented on the near future fan efficiency codes, standards, and regulations, and their potential impact on fan design and application.
Click here for Michael Brendel's PowerPoint slides (PDF)
Click here for John Cermak's PowerPoint slides (PDF)
From AMCA Seminar at 2012 AHR Expo in Chicago:
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Michael Brendel, PhD, Lau Fan, gave a presentation on how fan efficiency grades, as defined by AMCA Standard 205, Energy Classification for Fans, are linked to the fan brake-horsepower requirements in ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Click here for Michael Brendel's PowerPoint slides (1-MB PDF).
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Steve Wiggins, PE, LEED AP, from Newcomb & Boyd Engineering, then described how commissioning newly installed systems and revisiting the systems after a period of time (or setting up monitoring-based commissioning systems) will reduce wasted energy consumption and costs. Click here for Steve Wiggins PowerPoint slides (1-MB PDF).
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John Reints, PE, (consulting engineer) and Gene Smithart, PE, Trane, closed the session with an in-depth presentation on high-velocity static-regain duct systems, which reduce first costs and operating costs. Click here for the Smithart/Reints PowerPoint slides (6-MB PDF).
Please send comments and suggestions regarding this page to Michael Ivanovich, Director of Strategic Energy Initiatives, AMCA International.