Retrofit with EC fans: energy savings and performance optimisation

In many buildings and industrial facilities, ventilation systems still rely on traditional belt-driven fans with induction motors, designed at a time when energy efficiency was not a priority. However, with advancements in ventilation technology and regulatory requirements such as ErP 2026, upgrading this equipment has become a key necessity to reduce energy consumption and optimise performance.

What is a ventilation retrofit?

A retrofit involves upgrading an older ventilation system by replacing conventional fans with direct-drive fans featuring EC (electronically commutated) motors. These motors allow for more precise speed control, eliminate mechanical transmission losses, and significantly improve energy efficiency.

Benefits of retrofitting with EC fans

Up to 35% energy savings, compared to belt-driven systems.
40-50% higher efficiency, thanks to the elimination of belts and pulleys.
Lower maintenance, avoiding the need for regular belt replacements.
Smart speed control, adapting to the system's real demand.
Regulatory compliande, aligned with European efficiency standards.

Applications of EC fan retrofits

EC fans are an ideal solution for modernising ventilation systems in:

Industry – Air Handling Units (AHUs) in factories and laboratories.
Commercial buildings – Offices, shopping centres, and hospitals.
Data centres – Efficient cooling for high-performance servers.
Hotels and airports – Optimised HVAC system energy consumption.
Swimming pools and gyms – Humidity control and efficient ventilation.

Comparative study: How to reduce ventilation energy consumption by up to 35%

Retrofit with ENKELFAN EEC vs BOX BV belt-driven fan

As previously mentioned, technological modernisation is key in ventilation system optimisation. This study compares a traditional BOX BV system with a retrofit based on ENKELFAN EEC plug fans in two different applications:

Pharmaceutical industry – Air quality control in clean rooms.
Data centres – Efficient cooling for server rooms.

	ENKELFAN EEC Centrifugal fan with an EC external rotor motor. [View details on Fanware].
	BOX BV Belt-driven centrifugal fan in a soundproof enclosure. [View details on Fanware].

Key results obtained:

Up to 35% reduction in energy consumption
Efficiency improvement of nearly 50%
Lower maintenance and better airflow control

Case 1: Pharmaceutical industry

A BOX BV fan in an AHU was replaced with 4 ENKELFAN EEC fans, achieving:

➡ Energy consumption reduction: 32.65%

➡ Efficiency improvement: +48.47%

Case 2: Data centre

Replacing an 11 kW BOX BV fan with 4 ENKELFAN EEC fans in a data centre resulted in:

➡ Energy consumption reduction: 31.93%

➡ Extended equipment lifespan

It is clear that if you are still using belt-driven fans, a retrofit with EC plug fans could be the key to saving energy and reducing operating costs.

Download the full report here

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