Outdated ventilation systems are among the energy guzzlers par excellence, as the majority of them originate from designs and modes of operation from the 1990s. With a retrofit, components can be replaced in a targeted manner so that the system is significantly optimized in terms of both performance and energy consumption. Find out more in this article.
According to the Energy Saving Act (GEG, § 74), operators of ventilation and air conditioning systems are required to carry out regular inspections to maintain the energy quality of the system as soon as the rated output for the cooling requirement exceeds twelve kilowatts. The results reports show that belt-driven fans in older ventilation systems are the main cause of excessive energy consumption. What can companies do at this point?
Targeted retrofitting of air conditioning systems
It has long been recognized that in most cases it is worth replacing the fans in older ventilation and air conditioning systems. The benefits are particularly noticeable when energy-efficient fans with speed-controlled EC motors are used as part of the retrofit. This controllability allows the air volume to be adapted to the respective demand or activity. This process saves considerable amounts of energy, which is ultimately reflected in the costs.
With an EC fan wall, for example, companies not only save energy, but also ensure quieter operation overall. This so-called fan wall is characterized by many small EC fans arranged in parallel. If one of the fans fails, the remaining functional fans can compensate for the power – a huge advantage for safety and the stability of the ventilation! Another plus: In contrast to older, belt-driven models, direct-driven EC fans do not cause any abrasion to the material, which means less material wear and therefore less waste for the environment.
The conversion is worthwhile in many respects
Retrofitting is not only worthwhile because energy consumption can be significantly reduced. The resulting amortization times and the peripheral optimizations in operation also speak in favour of retrofitting. Many manufacturers already offer special retrofitting kits for this process, which make it possible to replace fans in the building in the shortest possible time with little to no disruption to ongoing operation.
Integration into the company’s own system landscape can also prove to be another sustainable advantage here. If an energy management system is in use, for example, modern ventilation systems can be networked directly with the EnMS so that the ventilation also becomes a smart energy saver using sensors. Data collected in real time on temperature, air pressure and humidity, for example, can enable even more precise analyses and perfect the overall indoor climate.
In addition, state subsidies can also be claimed for active energy-saving measures. For example, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy supports such measures with low-interest loans in conjunction with attractive repayment subsidies. Operators of HVAC systems can also obtain low-interest financing of up to 100 percent of the eligible costs of replacing a fan via the KfW.
Companies therefore benefit in many ways from upgrading their ventilation systems: the environment is protected due to lower energy consumption and less material wear, the performance of other systems and facilities as well as the well-being of employees is improved and it makes a good overall impression when companies are mindful of their energy management.
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About KENEXOS®
With Kreutzpointner Business Software GmbH (KBS for short), Kreutzpointner is setting a significant milestone in the technical development of the entire group of companies. Kreutzpointner Business Software GmbH focuses on the special requirements and digital needs of industrial customers with an independent business model. The operational launch took place in October 2020.
With KENEXOS®, KBS offers corporate customers an individually expandable application platform with its own software products and focuses on the implementation of industrial applications. KENEXOS® offers modern web technology for access via a wide range of end devices and enables integration with existing systems via an API interface. The standard modules include, for example, construction site documentation, task and ticket recording, plant management and maintenance and many more. The application platform is available for in-house installation (on-premise) or as a cloud solution (SaaS).
The ideas and the technical basis for Kreutzpointner Business Software GmbH have been successfully developed in recent years as part of the company-wide “Research & Development” process. In addition to the IT systems division, the new digital unit ideally rounds off Kreutzpointner’s large portfolio.
