Energy Savings Through Frequency Converters in Ventilation Systems
The use of frequency converters in ventilation systems can achieve energy savings of up to 60%. However, this depends on the specific system. This technology is effective even for small ventilation installations.
Essence of Savings
Savings manifest in the following way. In a building where a supply and exhaust ventilation system is installed, it is necessary to consider the number of people in each room. Depending on the presence of people, the need for air exchange should be adapted:
- During the day, when there are minimal numbers of people in the building, the need for ventilation decreases.
- In the kitchen and laundry, the need remains moderate.
- When hosting guests, the air exchange needs to be increased for all rooms.
- In rooms where no one is present, ventilation should be reduced.
Frequency converters operate according to this algorithm, adapting the system's power to the needs of air exchange.
Industrial Facilities and Their Ventilation Needs
Regulating ventilation is also extremely important for industrial facilities. In industrial conditions, similar to residential ones, the number of people in production areas changes throughout the day:
- During the day, more workers are present in the shops, so the system must operate at maximum capacity.
- At night, when the number of workers decreases, the system can function in an economic mode.
Economic Indicators of Implementing Frequency Converters
Given the above, electricity savings in facilities with ventilation systems using frequency converters can reach 30-60%. The payback period for such systems is usually within 1-2 years. In some cases, savings on ventilation can be up to 80%, and the payback period for frequency control can be reduced to less than six months.
Historical Aspects and Calculations
In industrial facilities designed during the Soviet era, there is often an oversizing of fan power by up to 80%. Thanks to the implementation of frequency converters, which provide the necessary airflow, the payback period for such technologies has become less than 6 months. This has led to significant energy resource savings, allowing large enterprises to achieve a favorable tariff structure, particularly with the price for 1 kW of electricity.