Geoff Lockwood ebm-papst UK Technical Director and Chairman of the EVIA fan working group
The ecodesign requirements for fans, the new fan energy efficiency regulation, have raised more questions than any previous ecodesign regulation. It is now passed the deadline for compliance of 1st January 2013 and many in the Heating and Ventilation industry are still unclear of its impact. Apart from fan manufactures, most equipment manufacturers using fans will be affected with some unsuspecting H&V manufactures being classified as a fan manufacturer.
The regulation sets a minimum energy efficiency limit for fans that consume between 125 W and 500 kW. The efficiency is determined by measuring the output air power compared to the electric input consumed by the electric motor. In principle any fan fitted with an electric motor falls within the scope of the regulation and it is at this point where unsuspecting H&V manufacturers now become a fan manufacturer.
The regulation states that fans integrated within other energy-related product are within the scope. A heating and ventilation unit manufacturer who sources an impeller and housing from one supplier, a motor from another and then assembles together is now a fan manufacturer. They have to determine that it meets the minimum requirements, published data and apply a fan rating label stating ecodesign data.
This is just one unexpected aspect of these regulations that are explained in the European Ventilation Industry Association (EVIA) fan guidance document. The EU commission has promised to publish its own guidance within the next few months, but while we wait the Fan Industry document sheds light onto the darker consequences of the fan efficiency regulations.
For more information, talk to your fan supplier or follow ebm-papst UK.
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About ebm-papst
The ebm-papst Group is Europe’s leading manufacturer of fans and motors and is a pacesetter for the ultra-efficient EC technology. In the last fiscal year 11/12, the company generated turnover of over 1.37 billion EUR.
ebm-papst employs over 11,000 people at 17 production facilities (including Germany, China and the USA) and 57 sales locations worldwide. ebm-papst is represented in many industries, including ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration technology, household appliances, heating engineering, IT/telecommunications and industrial engineering.
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