National Grid Retrofit Variable Speed Drive Incentives

Description

Variable speed drives provide such significant energy efficiency benefits that they are required by code in most new building projects. However, many older HVAC and manufacturing systems operate without them. These are ideal candidates for VSD installation.

VSDs reduce energy consumption by operating at speeds that vary over time based on changing loads. Standard pump and fan systems always run at full speed, consuming more electricity than required to do the job. A variable speed drive slows a fan or pump down when the actual load decreases.

The savings from a variable speed drive in these applications increases exponentially as the load decreases. As a result, a small decrease in speed produces a relatively large increase in savings. For example, a 20% reduction in flow can yield a savings of 35% or more.

VSDs are ideally suited for HVAC applications because the demand on heating and cooling systems can vary with outside temperature, building occupancy, and production level. Other effective applications include:

  • Boiler draft fans serving boilers with varying loads
  • Exhaust fans where the necessary flow rate varies with temperature, such as oven and dryer exhaust fans
  • Manufacturing applications where load varies with production

 

Required Steps

Please download the 2012 Variable Speed Drives application form, or the 2012 Variable Speed Drives and Motors application form, and contact your National Grid representative at 1-800-787-1706 or efficiency@nationalgrid.com for more information.

Eligibility

For eligibility requirements, please refer to the Variable Speed Drives application form, or the Variable Speed Drives and Motors application form.

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