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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Having an energy efficient starter is crucial. Nobody knows that better than the engineering experts at Pump Express. Recently they were shown a presentation by Gail O’Keefe of Schneider Electric. Gail, a drive specialist, demonstrated the energy efficiency that comes with using Schneider Electric Square D Starters, specifically a VFD, or variable frequency drive.

First, she described the basic operations of an across the line starter, the more inefficient of the two options. “You ever get in your car in the wintertime and your fan belt starts and it squeals,” she asked. “Well, it’s the one pulley slamming the belt into the other pulley. It’s squealing until it synchronizes.”

She then contrasted the VFD, which is a soft starter, with an across the line starter. To be more technical, an across the line starting is accompanied by inrush currents and higher starting torque. This not only uses up more power, it can also add a lot of stress to a system over the course its lifetime. This means extra expense to the owner. A soft starter, such as the one the Gail demonstrated, remedies the issues associated with across the line starters.

“A drive is a soft start inherently,” she notes.

Her presentation shows that upon ignition the across the line starter slams hard. This is not the case with the VFD.

“We’re going to go to the VFD; it’s smooth, no slam.” The VFD gently started and maintained an even flow, which translates into energy savings.

The energy efficiency between the two is significant. As where the across the line start hit 2.8 amps, the soft start only hit 1 amp.

“2.8 amp across the line start inrush means peak demand charges. Every time it starts, that guy is being charged peak inrush.”

By providing their customers with energy-saving products like those manufactured by Schneider Electric, Pump Express is making sure that all of their engineering solutions are as efficient as possible.

With the lowest guaranteed prices in the industry, Pump Express is pleased to offer their customers the very best in engineering solutions in the tri-state area.

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Square D’s Susan McCollum guides pump Express staff through Schneider Electric’s extensive line of starters and controls.

Pump Express staff recently took part in a seminar led by a Schneider Electric training team specializing in Square D commercial controls and drives. The training was part of a recent deal between Pump Express and Square D to carry the full line for commercial and industrial HVAC applications.

As part of a select group of distributors qualified to sell Square D variable frequency drives (VFDs) based on extensive experience with commercial and industrial HVAC pump applications, Pump Express was given a detailed tour of the Square D catalog by the manufacturer-appointed team and led through a series of tutorials aimed at facilitating efficient selection and sizing of controls and VFDs for commercial and industrial clients.

“We learned not only the complete product offering that Square D has, but we also learned about different applications where their product can be implemented to better suit our customers needs,” said Sales Manager Fred Hettinger.

A highlight of the training was Commercial Drive Specialist Gail O’Keefe’s VFD simulator demonstrating the energy savings to be accrued from retrofitted and new VFD installations. (Watch the demo on the Pump Express Video Page.)

“Now that VFDs have become affordable, constant speed systems are slowly going the way of the dinosaur,” said Application Engineer Dan Szegda. “Not only is a VFD drive saving you costs on energy consumption but you’re also lowering your carbon footprint.”

Like Hettinger, Szegda appreciated the broad range of applications that stood to benefit from the Square D line.

“Not only pumps have motors on them. So do chiller systems and ventilation fans. Square D VFDs will allow Pump Express to provide additional value outside our work pertaining to pumps.”

Visit the Pump Express website for the complete line of Square D controls and drives.

Call PUMP EXPRESS at 800-298-4100 for detailed selection and sizing information of Square D controls and drives or visit our website at www.pumpexpress.com.

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