AMCA InMotion - September 2019 - 8

■

Advocacy Brief
on FEI Available

Fan rotational speed is less than the manufacturer's
maximum rated speed.

■

Fans meet anticipated system pressure losses, but include
a safety margin to avoid surge in the event of unantici-

In the spring, AMCA published a multimedia

pated duct-system design changes.

document aimed at code of ficials and others

To avoid ambiguity, regulators and code-setting bodies

considering proposals to convert FEG provisions

should require fans in VAV systems to meet FEI criteria at

to FEI.

peak operating conditions. A fan that meets FEI criteria at
Produced in

peak operating conditions is likely also to meet the criteria

p a r tn e r s hip wi th

at reduced-ﬂow conditions, as FEI ratings typically are the

Colorado State

same or better at lower fan speeds.

University Online,
A MCA Ad vo c a cy
Brief, Fan Energy

To learn more about FEI, visit AMCA's FEI resource page
at www.amca.org/fei.

Index is a digital
brochure with
live links and an
embedded video.
It provides a nontechnical description of FEI and its benefits,
explains the origins of FEI, highlights inroads FEI
is making, and more.

To view AMCA Advocacy Brief, Fan Energy

Reference
1) Ivanovich, M., Wolf, M., & Catania, T. (2017, September 13-15).
New efﬁciency metric for fans enables new approaches for
efﬁciency regulations and incentives. Paper presented at 9th
International Conference on Energy Efﬁciency in Domestic
Appliances and Lighting (EEDAL), Irvine, CA. Available at
http://bit.ly/FEI_EEDAL17

Index, go to http://bit.ly/Advocacy_FEI.

About the Authors
Beneﬁts of FEI

Ronald Wroblewski, PE, is president of Productive Energy

Although the fan with the higher FEI rating at the design

Solutions LLC, a consulting and training business focused

duty point may cost a little more to purchase and be slightly

on increasing the productivity and proﬁtability of industrial

larger than the fan with the lower FEI rating, it generally

plants and commercial facilities through more effective use

will result in much lower energy use and life-cycle costs and

of fan, pump, and blower systems. Jeff Boldt, PE, HBDP,

signiﬁcantly quieter operation. Normally, the purchase of

LEED AP, FASHRAE, FPE, is principal and director of

a fan with higher FEI rating is an investment with a very

innovation and quality for IMEG Corp., a design consulting

high rate of return.

f irm specializing in high-performing building systems,
infrastructure, program management, and construction-

Summary

related services. Michael Ivanovich is senior director,

As FEI is incorporated into more energy codes and stan-

global affairs, for AMCA International.

dards in the coming years, manufacturers may adapt their
product offerings. HVAC-system designers are advised to
ensure that:
■

Did you ﬁnd this article useful? Send comments and

The fans they select are in compliance with FEI criteria

suggestions to Editor in Chief Scott Arnold at

at the design ﬂow and pressure duty point.

sarnold@amca.org.

8

20 19 A M CA i n m o t i o n

w w w. a m c a .o r g
http://www.amca.org/fei http://www.bit.ly/FEI_EEDAL17 http://www.bit.ly/Advocacy_FEI http://www.amca.org
AMCA InMotion - September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AMCA InMotion - September 2019
