Development of High Efficiency Air Conditioner Condenser Fans

Primary Author(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center
Danny Parker, Florida Solar Energy CenterFollow

Report Number

FSEC-CR-1674-05

URL

http://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FSEC-CR-1674-05.pdf

Keywords

HVAC; Buildings; Air conditioner efficiency; Condenser fan design; Energy reduction; Noise reduction; Fan performance

Abstract

With sponsorship from the U.S. Department of Energy, a research project has designed, fabricated and tested improvements to an air conditioner outdoor unit fan system. The primary objective was to improve condenser fan performance while reducing motor power. We also examined potential changes to the condenser exhaust configuration to enhance air moving efficiency performance. A secondary objective was to provide sound reductions as lower noise AC equipment is important to consumers.

Within conducted tests, an improved high efficiency fan design and advanced exhaust diffuser section reduced fan motor power requirements by approximately 49 W (26%) while providing superior air flow. When mated with a brushless DC motor, the same configuration can reduce fan power use by nearly 100 Watts (55%). The overall increase to total system efficiency (EER and COP) is approximately 2-4% depending on configuration. The reduced fan unit power could be very desirable for utilities concerned with peak demand, since the change provides reliable load reductions on peak.

The changes in exhaust configuration are also important in that they allow for slower fan speeds to obtain equivalent flow. When coupled with a developed vortex shedding control strip and an asymmetrical fan design we showed reductions to fan sound levels of 1-2 dB according to ARI Standard 270-1995.

Date Published

6-1-2005

Identifiers

521

Notes

Original Publication: Parker, D., Sherwin, J., Hibbs, B., "Development of High Efficiency Air Conditioner Condenser Fans", Draft paper to be published in ASHRAE Transactions in June 2005

Subjects

Air conditioning--Equipment and supplies--Design and construction; Energy conservation; Noise control; Electric motors

Local Subjects

Buildings - HVAC

Type

Text; Document

Collection

FSEC Energy Research Center® Collection

STARS Citation

Florida Solar Energy Center and Parker, Danny, "Development of High Efficiency Air Conditioner Condenser Fans" (2005). FSEC Energy Research Center®. 521.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fsec/521