Motors and drives make up a large portion of building energy loads as part of mechanical systems. High-efficiency motors typically pay for themselves in under two years, and variable speed drives should be considered for loads that vary, as they usually provide similar payback periods. Variable frequency drives provide the highest energy savings for fans and pumps with variable output needs by changing motor input frequency and voltage.
Motors and drives make up a large portion of building energy loads as part of mechanical systems. High-efficiency motors typically pay for themselves in under two years, and variable speed drives should be considered for loads that vary, as they usually provide similar payback periods. Variable frequency drives provide the highest energy savings for fans and pumps with variable output needs by changing motor input frequency and voltage.
Motors and drives make up a large portion of building energy loads as part of mechanical systems. High-efficiency motors typically pay for themselves in under two years, and variable speed drives should be considered for loads that vary, as they usually provide similar payback periods. Variable frequency drives provide the highest energy savings for fans and pumps with variable output needs by changing motor input frequency and voltage.
Motors and drives make up a large portion of building energy loads as part of mechanical systems. High-efficiency motors typically pay for themselves in under two years, and variable speed drives should be considered for loads that vary, as they usually provide similar payback periods. Variable frequency drives provide the highest energy savings for fans and pumps with variable output needs by changing motor input frequency and voltage.
Motors form a large portion of building energy load and are usually part of the mechanical systems of the building. High-efficiency motors generally have a payback of 2 years or less. Variable-speed drives usually have similar results depending on the variability of the driven load and therefore shall be considered for application in buildings. Power factor correction capacitors shall be employed on applicable motors to satisfy code requirements.
Two-speed motors shall be used where a fan or pump has two levels of operation, such as occupied/unoccupied. Two-speed motors come in two varieties: single winding and two winding. For most pump and fan applications, a variable torque, one-half speed motor is used.
Several types of variable-speed drives are available: mechanical,
fluid, and variable frequency/voltage units. The variable frequency/voltage drives vary the output for a standard alternating current (AC) motor by varying the input frequency and/or voltage to the motor. Where required, special filtering should be included. These types of drives provide the highest energy savings and shall be used for fans or pumps with throttling devices that vary output according to needs.
D.4.8 Gravity Flow Systems
Gravity flow open-water systems shall be considered to reduce the
run time of system pumps. These systems have a limited application and may apply to plumbing systems only.
