With the arrival of summer, building managers across the Northeast must address the spike in cooling system demands and soaring energy costs that accompany hot weather. In recent years, growing numbers of cost-conscious New Jersey building owners have begun calling on Pump Express Services to address these issues by adding variable frequency drives (VFDs) to their HVAC pump systems.

“Everybody from corporations to homeowners are looking to save money,” says Pump Express Sales Manager Fred Hettinger. “Along with large corporations like L’Oreal, who called us to install VFDs on the Armstrong end-suction pumps that run their HVAC system, we’ve done VFD maintenance for high-end residential clients intent on saving energy and dollars.

Variable Frequency Drives are used to control the speed of motor-driven pumps and fans. Standard motors start abruptly with a high starting torque and current surges up to 10 times the normal running current. Variable speed drives gradually ramp the motor up to operating speed and thereby conserve energy, lessen mechanical stress, reduce repair costs and extend equipment life. In most cases, VFDs pay for themselves in savings within three years.

“We recently replaced a pair of ABB VFD drives on the HVAC system of a 376-unit condominium complex in Hoboken,” says Hettinger. “The VFD’s that were originally installed on the building’s Paco horizontal split-case pump system failed and we were called to install replacements.”

Property owners across New Jersey have begun incorporating VFDs and other energy saving equipment covered under the New Jersey SmartStart Buildings program, established in 2009 to provide financial incentives for using energy efficient heating and cooling equipment. Garden State residents currently qualify for rebates of $60.00 per horsepower for chilled water pumps driven with variable frequency drives.

“That’s a potential savings of $3,600 on a 60 horsepower pump for anyone that has an air-conditioning system in a large commercial or municipal building using air-handlers with condensers and chillers,” says Hettinger. “Qualified property managers, schools and developers all stand to benefit.”

For more information on variable frequency drives and other resource saving equipment call Pump Express at 1-800-298-4100 or visit our website: http://www.pumpexpress.com

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