ASHRAE Journal - April 2013 - 30

the 2014 IAPMO Green Supplement. Proposals are in the
works for ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 and
California Title 24.
Development of the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s fan efficiency
standard is just beginning; the Framework Document was
published in the Federal Register on Feb. 1, 2013, which
presents DOE’s perspective of the fan market and the options it is considering for regulating commercial and industrial fans.12 AMCA International is working with ACEEE,
the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, and other organizations to jointly develop a proposal to DOE for the efficiency requirement and testing standards. Based on bestavailable information, a DOE requirement could be in place
with enforcement between 2018 and 2020. To follow developments in fan efficiency codes, standards, and regulations,
visit www.amca.org/feg.

Conclusion
The insertion of a fan efficiency requirement into
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 is significant because it will
have HVAC designers, contractors, commissioning providers, code officials, and facility owners/operators thinking
explicitly about fan efficiency grades and sizing/selection

Air foil
Backward curve
Mixed impeller
Backward incline
Forward curve

Figure 4: Fan efficiency curves based on fan type and
size. Note the similarity of the curves to the FEG curves in
Figure 1.
practice on a large scale. This scale is expected to grow
as fan efficiency requirements make their way into the
IECC, and ASHRAE Standard 189.1. The work done by
ASHRAE’s committees and subcommittees, and those of
AMCA International, has helped set the stage for a DOE
fan efficiency regulation.

References

www.info.hotims.com/44631-45

1. Agricola, G. 1556, De Re Metalica (On the Nature of Metals),
Translated from Latin by H.C. Hoover and L.H. Hoover.
2. Air Movement and Control Association International. 2012.
ANSI/AMCA 205-12, Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans.
3. International Code Council. 2012. International Green Construction Code (IgCC).
4. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2013, Energy Standard for Buildings
Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Forthcoming.
5. Westphalen, D., S. Koszalinski. 1991. Energy Consumption
Characteristics of Commercial Building HVAC Systems, Volume II:
Thermal Distribution, Auxiliary Equipment, and Ventilation. Arthur
D. Little for DOE.
6. U.S. Department of Energy. 2011. Notice of Proposed Determination, Federal Register, 76 FR 37678, June 28.
7. International Standards Organization (ISO). 2010. Standard
12759 Fans – Efficiency classification for fans.
8. Hauer, A., J. Brooks. 2012. “Fan motor efficiency grades in the
European market.” AMCA inmotion, AMCA International.
9. Brendel, M. 2012. “The role of fan efficiency in achieving energy
reduction goals.” AMCA inmotion, AMCA International.
10. ASHRAE. 2012. Proposed Addendum u to Standard 90.1-2010,
Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings,
First Public Review, July.
11. Cermak, J., J. Murphy. 2011. “Select fans using fan total pressure
to save energy.” ASHRAE Journal 53(7).
12. DOE. 2013. “Energy Efficiency Program for Commercial and
Industrial Equipment: Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document for Commercial and Industrial Fans and Blowers.”
Federal Register Feb 1. http://1.usa.gov/VLkOMx.

A S H R A E J o u r n a l

April 2013

ASHRAE Journal - April 2013

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