According to the German Hospital Federation, a hospital bed consumes as much energy each year as three single-family homes. Saving energy therefore also means cutting costs. The St. Franziskus-Stiftung in Münster has recognized this potential and is retrofitting the ventilation systems in five of its clinics with highly efficient EC fans from ebm‑papst to ensure optimum ventilation, a reliable operation environment and lower costs.

Some of the 18 air handling units (AHUs) in five hospitals were more than 20 years old and needed to be replaced. In planning and implementing the modernization, the Foundation turned to its subsidiary FACT GmbH, which provides technical services to the healthcare sector. A total of 70 EC fans from the ebm‑papst RadiPac and RadiFit product ranges were used in the retrofit.

In hospitals, the availability and reliability of AHUs are essential. This means that the timeframe for retrofitting operating rooms in particular is restricted to one to two days. Thanks to their plug & play capability, the EC fans supplied by ebm‑papst can be installed and commissioned very quickly. FACT has also developed special shaped connectors for its own purposes, which make it even easier to install the fans.

During the retrofit, sensors were installed to measure the temperature, humidity and CO2 content of the ambient air. Room occupancy and other parameters are also recorded and monitored in FACT’s building management system. Combined with energy-saving EC fans from ebm‑papst, these sensors enable precise, demand-based control. The EC fans can be regulated precisely across their entire speed range and operate more efficiently, even in the partial load range.

These measures have enabled the St. Franziskus-Stiftung to reduce its energy consumption by a substantial 920,676 kWh each year. Assuming an electricity price of €0.30/kWh, this represents annual cost savings of over €275,000. Shutting down the systems in operating rooms at night additionally increases energy savings by around 30 percent.

The modernized AHUs not only contribute to considerable energy savings but, thanks to sensors and monitoring systems, also improve the ambient climate for patients and staff. The St. Franziskus-Stiftung has been impressed by the results and is now planning to convert its other facilities to EC fans as well.