Fan retrofit success story: Upgrading ventilation systems at ebm‑papst in Germany
ebm‑papst is modernizing the ventilation systems at its German locations with a retrofit, upgrading them to the latest generation of its own high-efficiency fans. This upgrade will significantly reduce the energy consumption of its HVAC systems. The company has executed three types of retrofits, each delivering notable energy savings:
- AC belt-driven to EC Centrifugal → Up to 50% in energy savings
- Generation 1 or 2 EC to Generation 3 EC → Up to 12% in energy savings
- EC Hyblade to EC AxiEco (a more advanced axial fan) → Up to 15% in energy savings
HVAC applications that were retrofitted include air handling units, condensers, heat exchangers and more.
The aforementioned benefits of EC fans for fan retrofits are just the tip of the iceberg. As ebm‑papst continues to innovate, our EC fans will be engineered with more smart and advanced features, enabling even further energy optimisation.
To dive in deeper to specific applications, please select one of the options below. If you do not see the HVAC application you hope to retrofit, we recommend contacting us directly.
Reasons to retrofit your fans
The direct benefits of retrofitting your fans are clear – less energy consumed equates to lower operational costs. However, there are several other less prominent benefits that merit discussion.
Scientists around the world agree that to prevent the most devastating impacts of climate change, human-caused carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions need to be reduced by roughly 45% relative to 2010 levels by 2030, eventually reaching net-zero by 2050. Since global temperature increases are linked to the cumulative CO2 released, any ongoing emissions will continue to drive warming, thereby exacerbating climate change effects.
One strategy to help achieve this target is the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, such as ebm‑papst's EC fans in buildings, which can play a role in lowering carbon emissions.
Source:
Net Zero Climate. (n.d.). What is net zero? Net Zero Climate.
Over the lifetime of a commercial building, around 71% of total costs come from operations rather than construction. Of these operating costs, 40% is spent on energy and water, and more than half of that—about 54%—is consumed by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This makes HVAC the single biggest cost driver in buildings. By improving HVAC efficiency, building owners can lower costs, reduce energy use, and create a more sustainable environment (Source: ABB).
Within HVAC systems, different components such as pumps and fans contribute to overall energy demand. Notably, fans account for about 40% of all electricity use in HVAC systems (Source: Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations, REHVA), making them one of the most important levers for energy savings and system optimization.
The demand for cooling is also set to grow rapidly. Over the next three decades, the use of air conditioners is projected to soar, becoming one of the leading drivers of global electricity consumption (Source: IEA). This trend makes the efficiency of HVAC systems even more critical for the future.
In many older buildings worldwide, HVAC systems, such as air handling units, still rely on traditional Alternating Current (AC) motors. Replacing these with advanced Electronically Commutated (EC) fans provides a highly effective way to cut energy consumption while improving performance and reliability.
A noticeable trend towards sustainable building practices is emerging in the region. Therefore, incorporating EC fans into your construction projects can significantly boost your chances of adhering to local government green building standards. Here are examples from the Middle East:
United Aran Emirates - Energy Strategy 2050 (focus on clean energy, efficiency, and net-zero goals)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Vision 2030 and the Saudi energy efficiency program (SEEP) targets 50% renewable power and stronger energy efficiency standards.
Companies searching for office space are prioritizing sustainability alongside key factors like location and access to talent. Even in a sluggish leasing market, businesses are increasingly drawn to high-quality, low-carbon buildings and are often willing to pay more for eco-friendly spaces. According to JLL research, this "green premium" translates to higher rents—7.1% in North America, 9.9% in Asia Pacific, and 11.6% in London. Kirsty Draper from JLL highlights that office buildings contribute to corporate emissions, making sustainability a crucial element in real estate strategies as businesses work toward their environmental goals.
Source: JLL. (n.d.). How sustainability-conscious tenants are assessing new space. JLL Insights.
Why choose ebm‑papst?
We aim to achieve climate-neutral production in the 2025/26 financial year. This means reaching climate neutrality in Scope 1 and 2. Sustainability has been at our core since our founding: each product we create must surpass its predecessor in economic and ecological performance, contributing to the sustainability of our customers' applications as well.
Since our pioneering integrated electronics before the millennium to today’s networked solutions, we deliver digital value to your applications. Through demand-driven operations, remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven buildings, we collaborate to find solutions that lower costs, save energy, and reduce emissions.
Founded on the belief in pioneering engines and groundbreaking EC technology, innovation has always driven our success. With substantial global investments in R&D, we continuously advance technology, enhancing our customers' applications and embodying technology leadership.
Our global presence ensures we offer rapid, customer-centric solutions while understanding local nuances and languages. By adapting our supply chains locally, we enhance responsiveness and reduce our CO2 footprint. This "local for local" approach allows us to meet customer needs swiftly and efficiently, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Download our fan retrofit info packet
This information packet serves as a collection of fan retrofit content, specially curated for built environment professionals such as building owners, facility management and installation/maintenance staff. The packet includes...
1. [Brochure] ACV Brochure: This brochure provides a clear introduction to EC fan technology for air conditioning and ventilation (ACV) applications. It explains how EC technology improves energy efficiency, system control, and reliability, making it a practical solution for upgrading existing HVAC systems without full system replacement.
2. [Flyer] AHU Fan Retrofit Summary: The AHU flyer presents a concise summary of AHU fan retrofit solutions, including indicative fan costs, estimated annual energy cost savings, and CO₂ emission reductions. It is ideal for quick evaluations and internal discussions.
3. [Whitepaper] Fan Retrofit: This in-depth whitepaper explains fan retrofitting in detail, covering the rationale, benefits, and a step-by-step implementation approach. It also includes successful retrofit case studies, showcasing proven results across real installations.
4. [Video] Open-Heart Retrofit at a Hospital in Ulm: A quick video that offers an open-heart retrofit project in a hospital environment, demonstrating how fan retrofits can be carried out during ongoing operations without compromising safety or performance.
