HVAC retrofits: immediate efficiency with ebm-papst RadiPac and FanGrid
HVAC efficiency with retrofit: ebm‑papst RadiPac fans and FanGrid configurations improve the performance of existing systems, reducing consumption and costs.
In existing HVAC systems, efficiency is not a dream, but a concrete technical choice.
More and more companies are choosing retrofitting as a strategic solution to optimize performance, reduce consumption, and comply with environmental regulations. In this context, ebm-papst 's RadiPac and FanGrid systems represent one of the most effective and scalable options for improving the performance of ventilation and air handling systems without having to completely replace them.
Why retrofitting is a strategic choice for HVAC systems
Renovating an existing HVAC system doesn't always mean replacing it from scratch. In many cases, the real improvement comes through targeted interventions that replace obsolete components with more efficient and intelligent ones.
The retrofit allows you to:
- Improve the energy efficiency of the system by up to 70%
- Reduce operating and maintenance costs
- Maintain existing units (AHUs, ventilation systems, air handling units) in operation
- Extend the life cycle of the plant
- Ensure operational continuity during the intervention
ebm‑papst RadiPac fans and the modular FanGrid configuration fit perfectly into this type of operation, offering concrete technical and management advantages.
RadiPac: the heart of air handling unit and industrial ventilation retrofits
RadiPac EC fans are designed to optimize the replacement of existing units in air handling units and other HVAC systems. Compact, efficient, and integrated, they combine an EC motor, electronics, and impeller in a single plug-and-play unit that's easy to install even in small spaces.
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Electronically Commutated EC Motor | Greater efficiency and lower consumption than traditional asynchronous motors |
| Integrated speed control | Continuous regulation based on actual demand, also via 0-10 V or Modbus signal |
| Loss reduction | Optimized aerodynamic construction and operation without mechanical transmissions |
| Less maintenance | No belts or pulleys, no need for mechanical adjustments |
| Reliability and durability | Designed for continuous operation, even in harsh environments |
The efficiency of these fans can lead to reductions in electricity consumption of more than 50%, with a return on investment often of less than three years.
FanGrid: redundancy, flexibility, and performance in large plants
When the goal is to replace a large central fan with a modular solution, the most effective answer is the FanGrid configuration: an array of RadiPac fans working in parallel, offering numerous advantages in both energy and operational terms.
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Modularity | It is possible to install from 2 up to tens of fans, adapting the configuration to each system |
| Redundancy | If one fan stops, the others compensate for the load, avoiding service interruptions. |
| Uniform flow | The air is distributed more evenly across filters, exchangers and ducts |
| Simplified installation | Each module is compact and easy to move, even in difficult spaces |
| Intelligent control | The fans communicate with each other and with the BMS to optimise flow rate, pressure and consumption in real time |
This configuration has already been successfully applied in numerous HVAC systems, including public buildings , shopping centers , airports and manufacturing plants .
A concrete case: from central fan to modular FanGrid to maximize efficiency
A concrete example of an efficient retrofit with ebm‑papst technology was realized in a shopping center in Germany, where an obsolete centrifugal fan was replaced with a FanGrid consisting of 16 RadiPac EC fans.
The project resulted in energy savings of over 50%, a drastic reduction in noise and vibration, and greater uniformity in air distribution. Installation was quick and minimally invasive, and the estimated return on investment of less than three years confirms the validity of this solution, which can also be replicated in settings such as hospitals, airports, or manufacturing plants.
Smart retrofit: a sustainable and digital choice
Choosing RadiPac and FanGrid for a retrofit also means looking to the future of energy management. Thanks to the latest-generation EC motors and the option of integrating with smart control systems, ebm-papst fans enable:
- Continuous performance monitoring
- Predictive maintenance
- Reduction of CO₂ emissions
- Alignment with ESG criteria and European directives on energy efficiency
All these elements are increasingly decisive in public tenders, redevelopment projects and environmental certifications (LEED, BREEAM, etc.).
HVAC Retrofit: a concrete, replicable, and efficient solution
Retrofitting with RadiPac fans and FanGrid configurations today represents one of the most effective solutions for improving existing HVAC systems, with tangible benefits in terms of efficiency, reliability and sustainability.
Thanks to a solid technical approach and products designed to facilitate installation, ebm‑papst confirms itself as the ideal partner for designers, installers and system managers who want to reduce consumption without sacrificing air quality and operational continuity.
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