Fan Coil Upgrade at ebm-papst A&NZ
Glenn Shreeves and his team from Deco contracting retrofitted the ebm-papst A&NZ training room in Melbourne with ebm-papst high-efficiency EC fans. By doing this the fan power consumption dropped by 60%

The Project
Fan upgrade at the ebm-papst A&NZ training room in Melbourne. Replacement of a standard 9/9 double fan deck with a three-speed single phase motor with ebm-papst high-efficiency EC fans, resulting in fan power reduction of 63%.
The original fan was a three-speed fan with a performance difference of only 200l/s between high and low speed, which equates to about 15%. This resulted in a speed range between 100% to 85% air. With the new ebm-papst EC fan, users get infinite speed control and an increase in performance of 20%, resulting in an available speed range of between 10% and 120%.
The existing fan was replaced with an EC fan deck consisting of two EC fans assembled and wired to an adapter plate that fits into the existing space. The fan deck was also fitted out with two FlowGrids to reduce fan noise.
Installation Process
The retrofit was carried out by Deco Contracting, after a review of the mounting and ductwork situation. The old fan was removed, and replaced with the new fans within the existing ductwork via an adapter plate. This resulted in an easy installation which was completed in about 2.5 hours.
The fans are now in operation, with the project having been very successful in improving the system’s capacity and noise criteria.
Power savings across the speed range were measured at between 63% to 78% with a reduction in noise of 2dBA across the speed range. The payback time lies between 1.6 and 5.3 years, depending on the running hours, and annual savings of at least $520.*
The high-level interface following MODBUS RTU standard can communicate with the fans via a BMS.
* Based on $0.25/kWh, does not include peak surcharge.
Fan upgrade at the ebm-papst A&NZ training room in Melbourne. Replacement of a standard 9/9 double fan deck with a three-speed single phase motor with ebm-papst high-efficiency EC fans, resulting in fan power reduction of 63%.
The original fan was a three-speed fan with a performance difference of only 200l/s between high and low speed, which equates to about 15%. This resulted in a speed range between 100% to 85% air. With the new ebm-papst EC fan, users get infinite speed control and an increase in performance of 20%, resulting in an available speed range of between 10% and 120%.
The existing fan was replaced with an EC fan deck consisting of two EC fans assembled and wired to an adapter plate that fits into the existing space. The fan deck was also fitted out with two FlowGrids to reduce fan noise.
Installation Process
The retrofit was carried out by Deco Contracting, after a review of the mounting and ductwork situation. The old fan was removed, and replaced with the new fans within the existing ductwork via an adapter plate. This resulted in an easy installation which was completed in about 2.5 hours.
The fans are now in operation, with the project having been very successful in improving the system’s capacity and noise criteria.
Power savings across the speed range were measured at between 63% to 78% with a reduction in noise of 2dBA across the speed range. The payback time lies between 1.6 and 5.3 years, depending on the running hours, and annual savings of at least $520.*
The high-level interface following MODBUS RTU standard can communicate with the fans via a BMS.
* Based on $0.25/kWh, does not include peak surcharge.
“The fans are now in operation, with the project having been very successful in improving the system’s capacity and noise criteria. Power savings across the speed range were measured at between 63% to 78%.”
Glenn Shreeves, Managing Director of DECO Contracting
Advantages of EC Upgrades
EC fans already give around 60% savings at the same airflow, but by being able to reduce the airflow even further additional savings can be achieved.
EC Upgrades can help you reduce your power bills by upgrading your existing fans with high efficiency alternatives to all fan products in your premises. We use the skills and expertise of key partners and integrators and combine them with ebm-papst high-efficiency fans and motors. Working together with you and your team EC Upgrades can deliver full replacement solutions and improve your systems.
EC fans already give around 60% savings at the same airflow, but by being able to reduce the airflow even further additional savings can be achieved.
EC Upgrades can help you reduce your power bills by upgrading your existing fans with high efficiency alternatives to all fan products in your premises. We use the skills and expertise of key partners and integrators and combine them with ebm-papst high-efficiency fans and motors. Working together with you and your team EC Upgrades can deliver full replacement solutions and improve your systems.