UC Davis

Previous research indicates that variable and stepped speed fan motor and drives increase energy efficiency in packaged rooftop units. California established energy efficiency standards for all buildings, including variable speed fan motor capabilities, to promote lower energy consumption. This paper evaluates the energy savings of not only the California building code for packaged rooftop units, but also how specific high efficiency motor and drive pairs increase energy efficiency for commercial spaces. High-efficiency motor and drive pairs underwent laboratory testing to measure performance and efficiency. The resulting data was then used to simulate buildings following California’s building code with the high-efficiency motor and drive pairs. The simulations were then compared with simulations using the minimum efficiency requirements for California buildings. The high-efficiency motor and drive pairs were confirmed to save greater energy than the base California building code compliance and offers a solution to further reduce statewide energy consumption. The high-efficiency motors and drives were found to save anywhere from 2070-27,00 kWh of source energy beyond the California Code minimum compliance depending on the climate zone and motor and drive pair selected.Thus, we recommend that California promote these motor and drive products, for both the utility cost savings and carbon dioxide emissions reductions.