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A Study on the Energy Saving of Converting a VAV System from Inlet Guide Vane to Variable Fan Speed Control
a b a
K F Yee BEng(Hons) CEng MCIBSE MIEE MinstE MHKIE REW(CO, HO) RSO RSA , Francis W H Yik BSc MSc PhD CEng FCIBSE MIMechE MHKIE , Cary W H Chan MBA CEng MCIBSE MHKIE & Himson Y T Chan MSc BSc CEng R.P.E.
a
MIMechE MHKIE
a
Swire Properties Management Ltd
b
Department of Building Services Engineering , Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Published online: 09 Apr 2013.

To cite this article: K F Yee BEng(Hons) CEng MCIBSE MIEE MinstE MHKIE REW(CO, HO) RSO RSA , Francis W H Yik BSc MSc PhD CEng FCIBSE MIMechE MHKIE , Cary W H Chan MBA CEng MCIBSE MHKIE & Himson Y T Chan MSc BSc CEng R.P.E. MIMechE MHKIE (2002) A
Study on the Energy Saving of Converting a VAV System from Inlet Guide Vane to Variable Fan Speed Control, HKIE Transactions, 9:2, 18-24

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1023697X.2002.10667876

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 A Study on the Energy Saving of Converting
a VAV System from Inlet Guide Vane to
Variable Fan Speed Control
K F Vee BEng(Hons) (Eng MCIBSE MIEE MlnstE MHKIE Cary W H Chan MSACEngMCIOSEMHKIE
REW(CO, HOI RSO RSA Swire Properties Management Ltd
Swire PropertIes Management Ltd
Hlmson Y T Chan MSe OSe CEng R.P.E. MIMeehE MHKIE
Francis W H Ylk SSe MSc PhD CEng FCIOSE MIMe<hE MHKIE Swire Properties Management Ltd
Department of Building Services EngineerIng, Hong Kong Polytechnic
University

The paper describes a stUdy on the energy saving that could be achieved by converting a variable air volume (VAVj system
from using Inlet guide vane to variable fan speed control, which was meant to inform the decision on whether to retrofit all
the VAV systems in an office building. The stUdy Involved retrOfitting one Of the 54 VAVair-hondling units (AHUs) in the
building as a pilot installation. Measurement was conducted to obtain the characteristics of the systemfollowed by a short
term monitoring of the frequency Of power supply to the AHU and the outdoor temperature. A simplified model was
establishedfrom the measured results for predicting the fan energy use Of the system. The feasible annual energy saving
was esllmated using the model, based on the monthly operating hours and the monthly mean outdoor temperatures
determinedfrom the records logged by the building management system. The pilot stUdy concluded that the conversion
would be viable, as the paybaCk period would be less than four years. Fan speed control retrOfitfor all the VAV AHUs in the
building commenced In March 1999 and was completed in June 2000. The electricity consumption Of the AHUs during the
Downloaded by [University of Connecticut] at 15:30 13 October 2014

past year has been determined from metered energy use records andfound to be reasonably close to the predictions Of the
model established in the pilat study. The procedures adapted in the pilat study may be applied In other buildingsfor
determining whether or nat to retrofit VAV systems with conventional inlet guide vane control to variable fan speed control.
Keywords: Variable Air Volume System, Inlet GUide-vane, Variabie Speed Control, RetrOfit, Fan Energy Use

Introduction
A detailed energy audit stUdy had been conducted for an office building
(Vik et ai, 199Ba), which unveiled that the landlord's total electricity
consumption in the audit year was 174 kWh per square metre of the
total gross floor area of the building. The annual eledricity consumption
for air-conditioning In the year was 127 kWh/m 2 , out of which the airside
eqUipment accounted for 49 kWh/m 2 • The Inlet guide vane (IGV) controlled
variable air Volume NAV) air-handling units (AHUs) serving the office
floors were responsible for about 35 kWh/m 2•
A building energy simulation stUdy showed that for a 40-storey office
building that Is eqUipped with iGV controlled VAV AHUs of an average
energy efficiency (the details at which can be found in Vlk et ai, 1998bj,
replacing the IGV control with variable fan speed (VFS) control could lead
to a large reduction in the annual electricity consumption of the airside
eqUipment, from 47 kWh/m 2 to 23.4 kWh/m 2 or by about 50%. Energy
consumption reductions by a similar percentage are reported in the
literature for this type of system relrofit (eg Englander 8' Norford, 1992;
Lorenzetti 8' Norlord, 199B; Shepherd, 1999). Due 10 the large energy
saving potential that it promises, conversion of VAV systems in existing
buildings from using IGV control to VFS control is often recommended
as an energy efficiency retrofit measure (eg Wulfinghoff, 1999).
The owner of the audited bUilding regarded the VAV system control
conversion as an energy management opportunity (CiBSE, 1991). However,
the actual energy saving could significantly deviate from the simulation
predidlons If the charaderlstics of the building and the VAV system designs,
the duratlon of the operating periods and the occupation conditions were
different from those assumed in the simulatlon, or if the modellll1g methods
were not entirely appropriate for the system modelled (Kempers, 1995).
Since the conversion would "involve a substantial capital investment, It
was considered necessary to carry out a pilot InstallatIon before full-
scale Implementation. For the pilot stUdy, an air-handling unit (AHUI In
the buildIng was installed with a frequency inverter (FJ) and site
measurements were conducted to evaluate the energy saving potential
of replacing IGV control with VFS control.
As the local power companIes are currently offering rebates for this type
of conversion in buildings as part of their demand side management
program, more buildings in Hong Kong would be considering converting
theIr VAV systems to using the more energy efficIent VFS control. The
results of the pilot stUdy, therefore, would be a usefUl reference to this
type of conversion projects.
General Building Characteristics
The stUdy was carried out In a commercial office buildIng at TaiKoQ Place,
Quarry Bay. The building comprises 29 above ground storeys and four
levels of basement car parks. The total gross floor area (GFA) of the bulidlng
Is around 74,'00 m 2, which is occupied primarily by offices. The other
types of premises In the building Include one Chinese restaurant (GFA:
2,050 m') and six retail shops (GFA: 250 m'l.
The envelope of the buildIng Is a curtain wall construction with no external
shading devices. The U-value of the 8 mm thick blue reflective glazing
is 5.5 W/m 2K, and the shading coefficient is 0.32. The calculated overall
thermal transter value (OITY) of the building was 27 W/m' (Vik et ai,
199Ba).
T11e Central Chilled Waler System
The building is eqUipped with a central chiller plant comprising four sets
of B50 TR and one set of 600 TR (1 TR ~ one ton 01 retrigeratlon ~
3.517 kWI water-cooied centrifugal chillers. The 600 TR small chiller is
used to meet the air conditioning demand outside normal office hours.
The chiller condenser heat is rejected to the atmosphere through the
cooling towers Installed at the roof. Water lasses at the cooling towers
are replenished by seawater supply from a pump house at the sea front

m--------------- The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers

 of Victoria Harbour, via a 700 m long underground seawater pIpe, which
also serves other buildings within TalKoo Place. The chilled water system
Is connected to the system In an adjacent commercial office building
such that, under light load conditions, chilled water can be obtained
from the chiller plant in the adjacent building, allowing a higher overall
energy efficiency to be achieved.
The AJr Side Systems
Three fresh air fans were installed to supply outdoor air to various air·
handling units (AHUs). The outdoor air supply will mix with the returned
air and be cooled by the cooling coils within the AHUs. Each typical
office floor Is served by two variable air volume (VAV) systems. VAV
terminals were provided to regulate the flow rate of supply air for IndMdual
spaces, in accordance with the local space air temperature. Air is returned
to the AHU room through the ceiling void. The design supply airflow
rate of the AHU selected tor the pilot study Is 8,780 115. The original
IGV was retained such that the AHU could still be switched baCK to IGV
contra!.
The BMS and the Control System
The building Is eqUipped with a building management system (8MS),
which provides start/stop control for the AHUs according to a prHet
time schedule. Direct digital control (DOQ systems are used to provide
operational control over the AHUs and VAV terminals. Each VAV AHU
was built-in with an IGV for modulation of the supply airflow rate. The
degree of opening of the IGV is controlled by a DOC controller, according
to the lowest of the four duct static pressure signals from sensors
Installed al the four main branches of the main supply air ductlng
system.
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Evaluation of the System Conversion
Approach
Quantification of the actual energy saving reqUires comparison of the
energy use of the converted system throughout a whole year against
that of another system whIch would be identical except for the control
method used. This, however, would take at least one year to complete.
Furthermore, It would be impossible to ensure the operating condltlons
of the two systems would always be identical. Due to the time and
resources constraints, a simplified method was devised to allow the annual
energy saving to be quantified without the need for the year-round
measurement.
The method employed was devised in the light of the following
considerations:
1. The power demand of a fan {W} is dependent on the supply flow
rate M, the fan total pressure (P) and the efficiency of the fan and
the fan motor (n) as follows (ASHRAE, 1997):
W = VP!n (1)
2. When the supply flow rate is varied In response to changes in the
sensible cooling requirement, through modulating the IGV position
according to a pre-set duet static pressure set point, the operating
point of the fan will shift, within a certain region, as depicted by
the shaded region in Figure 1. At a particular supply flow rate, the
fan total pressure will not be a unique value, but can vary over a
certain range, depending on the combination of the degree of opening
of the VAV terminals.
3. However, if the assumption is made that the fan total pressure
corresponding to each supply floW rate can be represented by a
representative value, a unique fan total pressure to supply flow rate
relation (Equation (2)). as depicted by the fan modulation curve shown
in Figure 1. can be derived for the purpose of estimating the annual
fan energy use.
P ~ P(V) (2)
TRANSACTIONS. Volume 9 Number 2
Fan total
v
pressure, P Fan modulation
curve
Possibl~region
~:::::--.. '. --
......:: ~ Design operating
polnl
orran operating
points at a gi\'en
IGV closii18
flow rate ' - ; r l - - - - - - :
Duel static
----
"'".",
set point
Flow rate, V
MinilIJJm flow De1:ign flow
rat~, V_
rate, V......
Figure 1 - Operating Range Of the Variable Speed Fan In a VAV AHU
4. The operating point of a fan is fully defined when the flow rate and
the fan total pressure are both fixed. The corresponding fan efficiency,
therefore, would also be fixed. It follows that the fan power demand
can be related to the supply flow rate only, as expressed In Equation
(3).
W = P(V)Vln ~ W(VJ (3)
5. Rather than the method of control, the fan total pressure required
under a specific supply flow rate Is dependent on the characteristics
of the duetlng system and the VAV terminals. Hence, the same fan
total pressure to flow rale relation (Equation (2)) applies also to the
same system When VFS control Is used Instead. The fan power to
flow rate relation f!N ~ W(V)) of the system, however, would be different
when one control method is replaced by the other, due to the difference
in the fan efficiency when different control methods are used to regUlate
the flow rate through the fan.
6. The supply flow rate demand is dependent on the total sensible cooling
load of the air-conditioned spaces served by the system until the
VAV terminals are all closed to the preset minimum opening position.
By making the assumption that the sensible cooling load is simply
related to the outdoor temperature (1), the supply flow rate requirement
can be predicted from the outdoor temperature, if the relation between
the two, as expressed In Equation (4). Is known.
V~V(1) (4)
7. It follows that if the dependence of the fan total pressure on the
flow rate and of the flow rate on the outdoor temperature can be
made known, the annual fan eledrklty consumption can be estimated
from the outdoor temperature records throughout the year.
8. Unfortunately, there were no flow meters available for continuous
measurement of the supply airflow rate so as to allow the relation
between the flow rate and the outdoor temperature to be found from
the measured data. A further assumption was, therefore, made that
the supply flow rate demand would be simply related to the frequency
of power supply to the fan (0 when VFS control was used, While the
frequency, obtainable from the BMS trend logs, would be simply related
to the outdoor air temperature, Ie:
V ~ V(f(1)) (S)
9. The relation belween the supply flow rate and the fan power supply
frequency (V = V(OI, and between the fan power demand and the
supply flow rate (W = W(V)), could be ascertained through a site
measurement. The relation between the power supply frequency and
the outdoor temperature (f = f{Tn, however, would need to be
·--------111
 established from records logged using the BMS when the pilot system
with the VFS control was put Into operation.
Therefore, the method for estimatlng the annual energy saving that could
be achieved by converting the VAV control method from using IGV to
VFS Involved the following steps:
1. To conduct site measurements to ascertain how the supply frequency
(for VFS control), IGV control signal (for IGV control) and fan power
would vary with the total supply flow rate demand on tlie AHU.
measurement points was the same, the total flow rate through each duet
branch was determined from the average air velocity of the 12-polnt
measurements and the cross·sectionar area of the branch.
The electrical measurements were conducted using a power analyser
(Table 1). These include the three-phase voltage, current, power factor
and the current and voltage total harmonic distortions. Since the
measurement was made at the Incoming side of the Fl, the electric power
measured represented the total power demand of the FI and the fan.

2. To allow the converted system to operate for a period of time during Table 2 summarises the temperature set points set for the 31 VAV
which the frequency of the power supply to the fan motor and the terminals In the tested system during the site measurements and the
concurrent outdoor temperature would be consistently logged by the corresponding measurement results. The range of the total supply airflow
BM5. rate achieved through the VAV terminal set point adjustment was from
5.7 to 8.4 m'/s.
3. To establish a correlation between the supply frequency and the
outdoor air temperature on the basis of the logged data.
4. To estimate the annual fan energy use based on outdoor air 9.00
v = 0.211;3 f - 1.8 8
temperatures throughout the year, and on the relations ascertained
In the site measurement and from the BMS records.
IB 8.00
• I
-
Site Measurements
~ 7.00
17 V I"o VSFI
The site measurements were conducted during weekends while the office
areas were unoccupied. In order to obtain system performance data that
'E
• ". V IGV

I
,'"
can cover a sufficiently wide range of operating conditions, the supply Q. 6.00
flow rate demand at Individual VAV terminals were artificially adjusted
~

<II
~
by resetting their control set points through the BM5. Setting an 5.00
extraordinarily high set point value (32"C) for a VAV tennlnal would ensure 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
the damper in the terminal would remain at the pre-set minimum degree
VSF Freq. (Hz) IIGV Po•. (Ang.)
of opening. Conversely, an extraordinarily low set point value (12"C) would
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ensure the terminal would remain fully open. Theretore, the total supply
flow rate demand could be varied in steps by setting different numbers
of terminals at the extraordinarily high, the normal and the extraordinarily
low set point values.
Throughout the site measurements, the duct static pressure setting was
Figure 2 - Measured Fan Power Supply Frequency (VFS Control) and lev
Posilion (lev Controi) at Various Fiow Rates
20.00

~
maintained at the original set point of 250 Pa. After the VAV terminals W = -0.234 v 2 + 4.5149 ·5.3156
were set, the system was allowed to run for some time to achieve steady
f
operation before measurements were taken. The measurements made
Include the total supply airflow rate, the electric demand of and the
15.00
... ./
i.. I" VSFI
~

differential pressure across the AHU fan, the power supply frequency 10.00
~ w=o 9715V2 ·9.9 I34V +33.• ' olGV
or the IGV position, and the power factor and the power quality. Table ,
1 summarises the characteristics of the instruments used in the site •
~
5.00
measurements.
At each of the main supply duct branch, four equally spaced holes were 0,00
available for In-duct air velocity measurement. An anemometer (Table 5.00 •.00 7.00 8.00 900
1) was Inserted into the air duct through each of these holes, at three Supply airflow I'lIts (cu.mfa)
equally spaced positions (High/Middle/Low), for measuring the air velocities
at 12 locations on a cross-sectional plane of each duct branch. Since
Figure 3 - Measured Electric Demand of AHU at Various Flow Rotes (VFS
the sub-divided cross-sectional area covered by each of the air velocity and lev Controls)

Instrument Type Model Purpose of Measurement Measurable Range Accuracy

TSI Veloeiteale Plus, 3% of reading or +/- 0.015 mls
Anemometer Air velocity in duct 0-50mls
Model 8388 whichever is greater
TSI Veloeiteale Plus, ./- 0.5% of reading ./- 0.002 kPa
Barometer Fan total pressure -2.5 to + 2.5 kPa
Model 8388 +/- O.03%/oC
Data logging for different electrical Volt: 20 to 500 V ae Volt: 0.5%
Electrical parameters ie voltage, current, power Freq: 45 to 65 Hz Current: 0.5%
Network AR5 factor, active and reactive power, total Temp: 5 to 45"C Active Power: 1%
Analyzer harmonic distortion of current and Power Factor: 0.5·1 Reactive Power: 1% of readout
(Portable Tester) voltage etc ./-2 digits
Volt: 600 V ae (max) Volt.: 0.5%
Power Current: SA Current: 0.5%
Measurements Crompton Freq: 45 to 66 Hz Power: 1%
Ditto
and Display INTEGRA Temp: 0 to 50"C Power Factor: 1%
(Panel Mounted) Freq: 0.1 % of readout ./-2 digits

Table 1 - Characteristics of the Measuring Instruments Used In the Site Measurements

The Hong Kong Institution Of Engineers

 a) Inlet Guide Vane Control

No of Temp Position Average Oval Total Oiff Mech Electrical Total

Thermostats Set of IGV Air Ouct Air Flow Pressure Output Input Harmonic
Adjusted Point (%) Velocity Area Rate (Pa) Power Power Distortion
(OC) (mI,) (m') (m'I,) (kW) (kW) (THO,) %
22 12
5 25 90 23.5 0.3547 8.32 957 7.96 16.0 6.6%
4 32

12 12
15 25 61.3 20.6 0.3547 7.32 856 6.26 15.2 6.9%
4 32

27 25 46.5 15.9 0.3547 5.63 674 3.79 12.2 8.6%

4 32

15 25 46.6 15.6 0.3547 5.52 665 3.67 12.8 8.3%

16 32

5 25 48.4 16.3 0.3547 5.77 712 4.11 13.1 7.7%

26 32

b) Variable Fan Speed Control

Temp Supply Average Oval Total Olff Mech Electrical Total

No 01
Set Free Air Ouct Air Row Pressure Output Input Harmonic
Thermostats
Point (Hz) Velocity Area Rate (Pa) Power Power Distortion
Adju,ted (OC) (mI,) (m') (m'I,) (kW) (kW) (THO,) %

31 12°C 47.9 23.5 0.3547 8.35 940 7.85 18.7 60.5%

Downloaded by [University of Connecticut] at 15:30 13 October 2014

15 12"C 43.2 20.8 0.3547 7.39 865 6.40 13.7 61%

16 25"C

31 25"C 39.4 18.6 0.3547 6.60 747 4.93 10.3 62.2%

15 25"C 37.3 17.3 0.3547 6.15 686 4.22 9.1 66.8%

16 32°C

4 25"C 37.2 17.0 0.3547 6.02 696 4.19 9.4 65.8%

27 32°C

Table 2 - Summary Of Testing Results

Based on the measured results, the relations between the supply airflow
00.0 '000
rate and the frequency of the power supply to the fan motor, and between
the fan power demand and the airflow rates, were established. Figure •• o. • • • 900

2 shows the relation between fhe ICV position and the supply airflow
rate, and between the fan power supply frequency and the supply airflow ."
40.0
6 4 6 .6
• 00
00• 800
700 t::::::l COunt (. rKOfds)

rate, for the two control methods tested. Rgure 3 shows the power demand e 300
00
eoo f _ I _ O.788T • 18.4n
~ . 8
•
of the fan at various supply airflow rates, when the system was put under ••
•=- 20.0
0
000
-
••
0 •
.....-g. Freq.
M8X. Freq.
the ICV and lhe VFS control.
-
~
<CO
300
0
z
0 Mft.F~q.

........ StdDohr· F~.

BMSRecords 10.0 200

'00
The frequency of the power suppty to the converted system and the
0.0 0
outdoor temperature were logged by the BMS at 15 minutes Interval
whlie the VAV system was running, for the period from 21 January 1997 '-"
•
- -'"
'"M '" '"
-
~ ::
- N•" '"
' ~
'"~ '"
I';
Out<loor T.mp.\Cl
to 24 April 1997. A total of 2,924 records were retrieved from the BMS
log and used to establish the correlation between the output frequency
of the FI and the outdoor air temperature. Figure 4 shows the mean, Figure 4 - Correfation between Frequency fnverter Output Frequency and
the maximum and the minimum frequencies, and the number of power Outdoor Temperature
supply frequency data recorded (shown as 'Count' In the figure), at various
outdoor temperatures. A linear regression line between the FI output night Therefore, the VAV terminals were all fully open during these perkX1s,
frequency and the outdoor temperature is also shown In the figure. demanding for the fan to run at the maximum speed.
As can be seen In Figure 4, the highest recorded supply frequencies Furthennore, the spread (the difference between the maximum and the
occurred in the mid-to high-range of the temperature. This was consequent minimum) of the frequency data at certain outdoor temperature levels,
upon the situation that arose In the start-up periods during which the as shown In Figure 4, was rather wide. The wide spread in the power
Indoor temperatures In various· spaces were much hIgher than the set supply frequency Implies that the outdoor temperature alone could not
point level, after the aIr-condItionIng system had been shutdown over- funy account for the variatIons In the room sensible load. Rather, the

----------------------------ID
TRANSACTIONS' Volume 9 Number 2
 room sensible load was also affected by changes in solar radiation intensity
and intensities of heat gains from Internal sources, and the start·up
operation. However, majority of the data clusters around the average
value for the corresponding outdoor temperature, as can be seen from
the relatively small standard deviation (see the S1dDev curve In Figure
4). Therefore, although there could be significant variations in the frequency
of the power supply to the fan motor for a given ou1door temperature,
the regression model relating the average frequency to the outdoor
temperature would remain a representative model.
Models Established from the Pilot Studies
As shown in FIgures 2, 3 a-
4, the followIng relations were established
from the data obtained from the site measurement and the BMS records:
Yin ~ 0.215f - 1.88 (6)
WM ~ -0.23411' + 451V - 5.32 for IGV control (7)
WM = 0.972V' - 9.93V + 33.6 for VFS control (8)
fiT) = 0.788T + 1.95 (9)
Energy SavIng Estfmate
Since the monitoring period lasted only for slightly longer than three
months, there were insufficient power supply frequency data for estimation
of the annual fan energy use. The annual fan energy use, therefore,
was simply estimated with reference to the monthly mean temperatures
within the 'normal' air-conditioned periods in the respective months, which
would start from 8:00 till 19:00 on a weekday, and from 8:00 till 14:00
on every Saturday. Assuming no overtime operation, the total operating
hours of the AHUs In each month In 1996 was estimated. The monthly
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saving per hour of operation. From the data shown in Table 3, the saving
during the overtime operation was estimated as follows:
10094
Overtime Energy 5aving = 120 x ~ 406 kWh
2987
The annual total saving, therefore, would be about 10,500 kWh
( = 10094+406). 8ased on an electricity tariff rate of HKSO.9I1<Wh and
an initial cost of HKS35,000.00 for the FI, the simple payback period
for the investment for the conversion would be 3.7 years. In this simplistic
estimate, inflatlon, interest on the Investment and escalation of electricity
price were all Ignored.
Breakevt!n Point of the Two Methods
The site measurements show that, In general, the fan power demand
would be smaller when the VFS control was adopted. However, because
the frequency Inverter Itself would consume electricity, the system would
demand for a greater power than when IGV control was used while 1he
system was delivering a flow rate close to the design value. The measured
results (Figure 3) show that the power demand would breakeven when
the supply airflow was at around 7.8 m1/s, Which is equivalent to 89%
of the design flow rate. This Implies that the VFS control method would
bring about energy saving only When the system flow rate was lower
than 7.8 m3/s.
Electrical Power Quality
The use of a frequency Inverter could generate considerable amount of
harmonic distortions to the electricity supply system (Domljan and
Santander. 1993). According to the measured power quality reSUlts, the

operating hours, and the corresponding monthly mean outdoor
temperatures calculated from the BMS records, are summarised In
Table 3.
For Simplicity, the power supply frequency predicted using equation (9)
based on the monthly mean outdoor temperatures were taken as the
monthly mean supply frequency for the respective months. The monthly
average supply flow rate for each month was then estimated using
Equation (6). The monthly electricity consumption of the fan, when put
under the VFS and IGV control methods, were estimated using Equations
(7) and (8) respectively, together With the monthly operating hours. Results
of this estimation are summarised in Table 3.
The results show that the annual electricity consumption of the
VAV system, when using the ICV control would amount to about
32 kWh/m' (~41,849 I 1,322 where 1,322 is the GFA of the part of
the office premises served by the VAV system, in m~, which is slightiy
lower than the result found In the energy audit stUdy (35 kWh/m'). The
consumptlon would drop to about 24 kWh/m 2 when the system was
converted into using VFS control. The potential annual energy saving
achievable would amount to about 10,100 kWh, when only the normal
operating hours were considered.
The BMS records showed that In 1996, the tested system had b~n run
for 120 hours outside the normal operating period. For simplicity, the
saving during the overtime period was estimated based on the average
frequency inverter incurred a total current hannanlc distortion (THO)
by 66.8% when the inverter output was 37 Hz. This was much higher
than When IGV control was used (THD , = 8.6%).
Power quality measurement had been made subsequently, with the use
of another make of frequency inverter, which showed a much lower TH01
of 30010 only. This experience shows that care should be exercised in
the choice of frequency inverters for application to a VAV system to ensure
the power quality would not be seriously affected.
Fan Energy Use SUbsequent to Retrofit and
Comparison with Model Predictions
The energy metering provision in the building was upgraded
since September 2000, which allowed the total electricity
consumption of the waterside and the airside ajr.·conditioning equipment
to be more precisely determined from the meter readings. The monthly
total fan energy consumption, for the period from October 2000 to
September 2001, have been determined from these metered records,
as summarised in Table 4. It was found from the metered records that
the annual fan energy use per square meter of the floor area in the
office floors In the building (the EUJ In Table 4) has dropped, after the
retrofit, to just slightly higher than 22 kWh/m'. This represents a reduction
in VAV AHU energy use by 37% when compared with the earlier audit
result.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
Mean T (0C) 18.8 17.4 20.5 21.6 26.2 29.6 30.9 29.5 28.3 27.1 23.7 19.6
Predicted freq (Hz) 34.3 33.2 35.6 36.5 40.1 42.8 43.8 42.7 41.8 40.8 38.1 34.9
Predicted flowrate (m'/s) 5.5 5.27 5.79 5.98 6.76 7.34 7.56 7.32 7.12 6.91 6.34 5.64
Operating Hours 226 222 261 227 277 222 277 255 249 266 261 244 2987
Fan energy (IGV) (kWh) 2816 2661 3394 3026 4025 3382 4282 3879 3730 3918 3631 3104 41849
Fan energy (VSF) (kWh) 1893 1831 2264 2033 3008 2893 3886 3304 3019 3025 2526 2073 31755
Energy saving (kWh) 924 830 1129 993 1016 489 396 575 711 893 1105 1031 10094

Table 3 - Summary of Estimated Energy Saving

III The Hong Kong Institution Of Engineers

 Mth-Yr Metered (kWh) Predicted (kWh) % Dev Notwithstanding the method used in the estimate was relatively simplistic
and involved many Simplifying assumptions, it provided a practical means
Oct-OO 127,842 142,139 10.1 for estimating the benefit of the energy efficiency enhancement measure
Nov-OO 127,059 136,130 6.7 to support the decision of implementing the control system conversion
for all air-handling units in the building.
Dec-OO 121,936 115,544 -5.5
The measurements showed that the use of frequency Inverters for VFS
Jan-Ol 94,433 110,578 14,6 control could giVe rise to a hIgher degree of harmonic distortion to the
Feb-01 117,413 125,826 power supply, The degradation of power quality, however, could be
6.7
maintained Within acceptable limits through careful choice of frequency
Mar-Ol 119,427 135,801 12.1 inverters.
Apr-Ol 107,179 124,709 14.1 In the pilot study, simplified mOdels were developed for predicting the
fan energy use from the outdoor air temperature and were used to predict
May-01 143,778 170,724 15.8
the feasible annual energy saving of cOnverting the IGV controlled AHUs
Jun-Ol 163,609 189,312 13.6 into using VFS control. The model for the IGV control method under-
predicted the fan energy use when compared with previous audit data.
Jul-Ol 148,091 185,462 20.1
The model for the VFS control method, however, was found to have
Aug-01 162,390 204,638 20.6 over-predicted the fan energy use When compared with the metered fan
energy use obtained In the past 12 months. This implies that the actual
Sep-Ol 149,230 183,712 18,8
energy saving would be larger than that faund in the pilot study, leading
Total 1,582,388 1,824,574 13.3 to a shorter payback period, but would be signiflcantly lower than the
simulation prediction for another model building.
EUI 22.2 25.6
This study highlights that the actual energy saving of an efficiency
Note: EUI = energy use intensity in kWhlm 2, which is the annual electricity use enhancement measure could deviate significantly from the prediction
per squre meter of the GFA of the part of the building served by the system. of a simulation stUdy, due to departures of the actual operatlng conditions
from those assumed in the simulation. Rather than relying on simulation
Table 4 - Metered and Predlded Fan Energy Use by the VAV AHUsfrom
predictions, empirical stUdy based on a pilot Installation would be able
Od 00 to Sept 01
to provide more reliable results to inform the decision as to whether or
not to Implement the energy efficiency enhancement measure, especially
The metered results, together with the hourty outdoor temperature records
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when It Involves a large quantity of equipment and a large capital

logged by the BMS for the same period, also allowed a comparison to investment.
be made with the predictions of the model established during the pilot
stUdy (Equations (6) to (gil. The modei was used to predict the hourly Acknowledgement
fan energy use in the building and the monthly consumption predicted
are summarised in Table 4. Figure 5 provides a graphical comparison The authors are grateful to Swire Properties Management Ltd and
between the metered results and the model predictions. Department of Building Services Engineering of the Hong Kong Polytechnic
University for the support to the work reported in thIs paper.
/I can be seen from Figure 5 that the models overestimated the AHU
energy use for most of the months when compared with the metered
data. The model over-predicted the annual fan energy use by about 13%,
which should be an acceptable degree of deviation considering the large
amount of simplifying assumptions adopted In its derivation.
References
1. ASHRAE (1997). Handbook: Fundamentals, American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-<ondltlonlng Engineers, Inc., USA.
250,000 2. CleSE (1991). Application Manual AM5: Energy Audits and Survey, The O1artered

-t 200,000
• 3.
Institution of Bulkling services Engineers, U.K.
Domijan Jr. A, Embrlz·Santander E (1993). Measurements of electrical power

~ T".l'- .... '" inputs to varlable-speed molars and their solid-state power converters, ASHRAf
Transactions, Vol. 99, Part 1, p.241-2.58.

~
150.000 4. Englander Sl, Norford lK (1992). Save fan energy in VAV systems - Part 1:
~
, If -.-Metered
Analysis of a variable-speed drive retrofit, ASHRAf Transactions, Vol. 98, Part
- 4 - Predicted
'C
'G 100,000 " p.3-18.
-•
w
5. Kempers G (1995). DSM pitfalls for centrifugal pumps and fans, fnergy
Engineering, Vo1.92, NO.2, p.S7-80.
•
~ 50,000 6. Lorenzetti OM, Norford lK (199B). Measured energy consumption of variable-
air-volume fans under inlet-vane and variable-speed drive control, ASHRAf
Transactions, Vol. 98, Part 2, p.371-379.
a 7. Shepherd K (1999). VAV air conditioning systems, Blackwell Science ltd., UK.
B. Wulfinghoff DR (1999). fnergy efficiency manual, Energy Institute Press, US.
9. Vik FWH, Vee KF, Sat PSK, Chan (WH (1998a). A detailed energy audit for a
commercial office building in Hong Kong.. Transactions, Va1.5, No.3, p.84-BB,
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, HK.
10. Vik FWH, Burnett J, Jones P, Lee WL (1998b). Energy performance criteria In
Figure 5 - Comparison of the Measured and Predided Fan Energy Use in Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessmem Method. fnergy and Buildings,

the Building Vo1.27, p.207-219.

Conclusion
From a pilot study conducted In 1997 in an office building, it was found
that converting the VAV systems In the building from using IGV control
to VFS control was both technically feasible and financially viable.

_ _ _ _~__:__::-------------------jm
TRANSACTIONS. Valume 9 Number 2
 KFYee
IT K F Vee started his career development with Hong
Kong United Dockyards Ltd as an Electrical Apprentice
in 1981. At the same lime, he studied part-time for an
electrical craft certificate. He continued with his part-
time studies and graduated with a BEng(Hons) degree
in Building Services Engineering at the Hong Kong PolyU
in 1997. He joined Swire Properties Management ltd
in 1991 and Is now a Bulldlng Engineer at the Pacific
Place Management Office. Ir Vee Is a Chartered Engineer
and Corporate Member of HKJE, (IBSE, lEE and loslE.
He is not only a Registered Safety Officer but also a Registered Safety Auditor in
the safety industrial and Is licensed to practise as Grade CO and HO Electrical Work.
IT Vee was appointed by IVE and CltyU as a Part-tIme Lecturer since 2000 and
2001 respectively.
Francis W H Ylk
Francis Ylk graduated with a mechanical engineering
degree at the university of Hong Kong in 1980. He
then worked as a consulting engineer for seven years
and studied part-time for his MSc degree In mechanical
engineering at the same university. He joined the Hong
Kong Polytechnic in 1987 and Is now a Professor of
the Hong Kong polytechnic university. He acquired his
PhD degree in building services engineering In 1993,
at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, UK,
through a part-time research study programme. His
current research interest includes air-condition system simulation and building energy
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studies.
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CaryW H Chan
Ir Cary W H Chan Is a professional engineer. He is
currently the Head of Technical services Department
of Swire PrOperties Ltd. overseeing the efficient operation
of all plant and equipment of the company's investment
portfolio. His major interests are on energy and
environment conservation and he has been working
closely with local universities on those issues. Ir Chan
Is also a member of the steering committee for the
development of the Hong Kong Building Environmental
Assessment Method (HK-BEAM).
Hlmson Y T Chan
Ir Himson Chan graduated from university of Hong Kong
in 1991 and started his career development with Swire
Properties Management ltd. He Is currently an Assistant
Technical Manager overseeing the efficiency and
reliability of all plants and equipment In TalKoo Place.
He Is a Chartered Engineer and Corporate Member of
IMechE. He Is also a Registered Professional Engineer
and Corporate Member of HKIE.