At a Glance
• Air Conditioning Solutions Inc. (ACS), a full-service commercial and industrial HVAC provider, was tasked with replacing an aging cooling system at NBCUniversal’s Century City location.
• ebm‑papst axial EC fans were selected to deliver high efficiency, water spray protection (IP55), and increased system redundancy.
• The project demonstrates the value of long-term relationships, innovation in retrofits, and the benefits of EC technology in high-performance environments.

About the Customer
At ebm‑papst, we don’t just supply motors and fans; we build partnerships that help our customers deliver the very best results. Our long-standing relationship with ACS (Air Conditioning Solutions Inc.) is a perfect example of how collaboration and shared commitment to innovation lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.

ACS is a California-based HVAC company known for its expertise in constructing and maintaining complex mechanical systems for some of the most demanding environments. Their capabilities span full-scope HVAC construction, design and engineering, controls, service, and building optimization. Led by John Baker, ACS is dedicated to delivering high-performance systems with union-certified technicians and an eye toward efficiency and emerging technologies.

A Shared Vision for Better Solutions
Our collaboration with ACS dates to 2019, when owner John Baker and long-time industry colleague Chino Romo began integrating ebm‑papst EC fans into their retrofit projects. The motivation? Better performance, higher efficiency, and smarter solutions for their customers. As their trust in our products grew, they began stocking our EC fans and relying on them as go-to components for modern retrofits.

The NBCUniversal Project
ACS was brought in at the NBCUniversal building in Century City to address an aging HVAC system. Several motors had already failed, and the client was ready to take a proactive approach, upgrading the entire cooling system rather than making piecemeal repairs. This end-of-life (EOL) retrofit aimed to boost efficiency, reliability, and redundancy by moving from an older air-cooled system to a chilled water setup with new EC fans handling supply and return airflow.

ebm‑papst’s Role
To support this transformation, ACS selected 18 of our axial EC fans (W3G910-LV12-36), replacing six outdated AC motors. These IP55-rated fans were ideal for the wet side of the cooling tower, offering protection from water spray and chemical exposure common in industrial cooling environments. Their corrosion-resistant design (H2+C environmental class) made them a reliable choice for handling contaminated water and aggressive cleaning agents.

Additionally, our fans provided a step up in performance and static pressure, increasing system efficiency while creating redundancy to prevent full shutdowns. We also provided metals cover to protect sensitive electronics, something ACS valued as a differentiator in their selection process.

One of the primary challenges in this project was the need for specialized environmental protection. The harsh, wet conditions of the cooling tower required not just any fan, but one built to endure. ebm‑papst delivered, offering upgraded EC fans with superior liquid ingress protection and corrosion resistance, ensuring long-term durability in a high-demand setting.

Our Future Partnership
With this retrofit, ACS has helped NBCUniversal modernize its HVAC system with forward-looking, energy-efficient technology. The end-customer is expected to experience big savings on energy consumption thanks to the switch from AC motors to ebm‑papst EC fans, a benefit that reinforces the value of this strategic upgrade.

From early collaboration to final installation, this project is a testament to what happens when a trusted partnership meets the right technology. We’re proud to support ACS as they continue raising the bar for commercial and industrial HVAC systems, and we look forward to working together on future projects that drive performance, efficiency, and reliability.