
2
ENERGY SAVING EC FAN COIL UNITS
We, SAKURA have incorporated an energy efficient EC fan option for most of the units in the range that
significantly exceeds the current Part L Specific Fan Power (SPL) requirement of 0.8 W/l/s.
The fan coils are offered with a range of accurate and cost effective speed control options providing a
flexible and user-friendly facility to have full controllability with standard analogue or DDC controls. The
power conversion from AC to DC is incorporated within the motor and fan assembly and allows a normal
mains 230VAC supply to be used.
EC MOTOR DESCRIPTION
Electronically Commutated Motors (EC Motors) are a brushless DC motor and have no mechanical
commutator. They use microprocessor technology to control the level of current through the windings.
This electronic operation offers a significant advantage over traditional AC motors namely; high efficiency,
energy savings, continuously variable speed control, compact design, long life and direct connection to AC
mains.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
AC MAINS CONNECTION
The EC Fan Coil Units connect to the AC mains in the same way as the AC motor powered units.
They include a rectifier to convert AC to DC current. Harmonic filtration is also included as required to meet
current regulations (‘Harmonics to Mains Supply’ regulation in EN 61000-3-2), simply connect the unit to
the mains bus bar or local fused spur as usual.
REDUCED POWER CONSUMPTION
Typically, when a medium sized Fan Coil Unit is directly compared AC vs. DC there is a significant power
saving. The DC unit had a harmonic filter fitted as recommended to comply with the regulations.
On a medium speed setting the following measurements were recorded:
The 57% reduction demonstrates the saving measured in Watts. Expressed as VA, a saving of 33% would
be seen. A further 25-30% can be saved by employing a set back speed when duty demands are reduced.
A report from a leading fan and motor company states that a significant improvement in energy
reduction is achieved with the use of EC fans. Taking a typical duty of 190 l/s with an external
resistance of 30 Pa the EC solution provides a power saving of 91W and reduces the Specific Fan
Power (SFP) from 0.72 to 0.25 W/l/s. Fan coils are often used in office applications where they
operate 12 hours a day, 3120 hours per year. Using the above energy saving of 91W, there is an
annual saving of 384 kWh and 122kg of CO2.
A typical installation of 500 units will save 61 tonnes of CO2 per year.
REDUCED MOTOR HEAT PICK-UP
Due to the lower energy requirement and higher efficiency of EC motors the heat pick-up is significantly
reduced. This reduced heat gain can be incorporated at the design stage to reduce chiller, pumps and pipe
work sizes. The above medium sized unit demonstrates a saving of 120W through reduced motor heat
pick-up.
ATL236 AC DC REDUCTION
W 210 90 57%
VA 210 140 33%
SAKURA - Total Air Conditioning Solution