Input Output Reference — EnergyPlus 9.3

Input Output Reference

As of version 8.7, a new simple “Fan:SystemModel” input object was added that can be substitued for Fan:ConstantVolume, Fan:OnOff, Fan:VariableVolume, and FanPerformance:NightVentilation. Users are encouraged to migrate their models to use this new Fan in the air loop or zone equipment because the original fan objects may be deprecated and eventually removed in the future.

The following fans may be defined either in the air loop or as a zone equipment component: Fan:ConstantVolume, Fan:OnOff, Fan:VariableVolume, Fan:ZoneExhaust, and FanPerformance:NightVentilation. The data that are common to these fan types include an identifying name, an availability schedule name, a total efficiency rating, a rated pressure rise, and inlet and outlet air node names. In the case of a variable volume fan, additional input includes parameters for modeling fan performance over a range of fan speeds. See the engineering documentation for the variable speed fan for a further description of what these coefficients represent. Commonly-used values for different variable volume systems are shown in the following table.

Fan Coefficient Values
Type of Fan Fan Coeff. 1 Fan Coeff. 2 Fan Coeff. 3 Fan Coeff. 4 Fan Coeff. 5
Inlet Vane Dampers 0.35071223 0.30850535 -0.54137364 0.87198823 0.000
Discharge Dampers 0.37073425 0.97250253 -0.34240761 0.000 0.000
Var. Speed Motor 0.0015302446 0.0052080574 1.1086242 -0.11635563 0.000

This object models fans of various types using a relatively simple engineering model. This fan can be used in variable air volume, constant volume, on-off cycling, two-speed, or multi-speed applications. It was designed as a replacement for Fan:ConstantVolume, Fan:OnOff, Fan:VariableVolume, and FanPerformance:NightVentilation. The electric power consumed by the fan can be directly input or autosized using one of three optional methods. For fans that can vary the volume flow rate the performance can be described using a separate performance curve or table object. Or for fans with discrete speed control the power fraction at each speed can be input directly with no need for a performance curve.

A unique name for this fan. Any reference to this fan by another object will use this name.

The name of an availability schedule for this fan. Schedule values greater than zero means the fan is available. If this field is blank, the fan is always available.

The name of an air system node at the inlet to the fan. This field is required.

The name of an air system node at the outlet of the fan. This field is required.

Field: Design Maximum Air Flow Rate[LINK]

This numeric field is the design volume flow rate of fan as installed in the HVAC system, in m/s. This volume flow rate will be converted to a mass flow rate using an altitude-adjusted standard density of dry air at 20 °C drybulb. This the full-speed flow rate and serves as the upper limit for fans that can vary their flow rate. This field can be autosized.

This field is used to select how the fan speed can be varied. There are two choices, Continuous or Discrete. Discrete indicates that the fan can operate only at specific speed settings and cannot be continuously varied. Continuous indicates that the fan speed is variable and can change smoothly up to the Design Maximum Air Flow Rate. This input informs the program how power should be calculated with Discrete control using time-weighted averaging and Variable using flow-weighted averaging. A constant volume or on-off fan should use Discrete with Number of Speeds set to 1. A variable air volume fan should use Continuous. Continuous requires that a fan performance curve be entered in the input field called Electric Power Function of Flow Fraction Curve Name.

Field: Electric Power Minimum Flow Rate Fraction[LINK]

This numeric field is used to describe how low a variable speed fan can be operated. This value is used to calculate the fan power at low flow rates but does not enforce a lower end of the air flow during simulation. The value is a fraction of Design Maximum Air Flow Rate and should be between 0 and 1. This field is only used when Speed Control Method is set to Continuous.

This numeric field is the total system pressure rise experienced by the fan in Pascals at full flow rate and altitude-adjusted standard density of dry air at 20 degrees Celsius drybulb. This field is required.

This numeric field describes the electric motor that drives the fan. Efficiency is the shaft power divided by the electric power consumed by the motor. The value must be between 0 and 1. The default is 0.9.

Field: Motor In Air Stream Fraction[LINK]

This numeric field is the fraction of the motor heat that is added to the air stream. The value must be between 0 and 1. A value of 0 means fan motor is located completely outside of air stream and none of the motor’s heat is added to the air stream. A value of 1.0 means the motor is located completely inside of air stream and all of the motor’s heat is added to the air stream. Note that regardless of the value here there will be heat added to the air stream as a result of the work done to move the air, this field is only describing what happens to the heat generated as a result of the motor’s inefficiency. The heat lost from the motor that is not added to the air stream can be added to the surrounding thermal zone where the motor is located by entering a zone name in the input field called Motor Loss Zone Name below.

This numeric field is the electric power consumption at the full Design Maximum Air Flow Rate and Design Pressure Rise, in Watts. The value entered in this field is used to determine the fan efficiency. This field is autosizable. When autosized there are three different options available for the method used to size the design power and can be selected in the following field.

This field is used to select how the fan’s Design Electric Power Consumption is sized when the previous field is set to autosize. There are three choices: PowerPerFlow, PowerPerFlowPerPressure, or TotalEfficiencyAndPressure. The default is PowerPerFlowPerPressure. When PowerPerFlow is selected, the value entered in the input field called Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate is used to size the Design Electric Power Consumption. This method is useful during early-phase design modeling when little information is available for determining the Design Pressure Rise. Although the pressure rise is not used to size the Design Electric Power Consumption it is still used to determine the heat added to the air stream as a result of the work done by the fan.

When PowerPerFlowPerPressure is selected, the value entered in the input field called Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate Per Unit Pressure is used to size the power. This method takes into account the Design Pressure Rise when sizing the Design Electric Power Consumption. When TotalEfficiencyAndPressure is selected, the values entered in the input fields called Fan Total Efficiency and Design Pressure Rise are used to size the power. This is the legacy method used by the older fan objects prior to verson 8.6.

Field: Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate[LINK]

This numeric field is used when the Design Power Sizing Method is set to PowerPerFlow and the Design Electric Power Consumption is set to Autosize. This value, in W/(m<sup>3</sup>/s), is used to scale the Design Electric Power Consumption directly from the Design Maximum Air Flow Rate. This scaling factor is defined such that Design Electric Power Consumption = (Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate) * (Design Maximum Air Flow Rate).

Field: Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate Per Unit Pressure[LINK]

This numeric field is used when the Design Power Sizing Method is set to PowerPerFlowPerPressure and the Design Electric Power Consumption is set to Autosize. This value, in W/((m<sup>3</sup>/s)-Pa), is used to scale the Design Electric Power Consumption from the Design Maximum Air Flow Rate and the Design Pressure Rise. This scaling factor is defined such that Design Electric Power Consumption = (Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate Per Unit Pressure) * (Design Maximum Air Flow Rate) * (Design Pressure Rise). The default is 1.66667.

This numeric field is used when the Design Power Sizing Method is set to TotalEfficiency and the Design Electric Power Consumption is set to Autosize. This value is used to determine the Design Electric Power Consumption from the Design Maximum Air Flow Rate and the Design Pressure Rise. The total efficiency is defined such that the Design Electric Power Consumption = (Design Maximum Air Flow Rate) * (Design Pressure Rise) / (Fan Total Efficiency). The default is 0.7.

Field: Electric Power Function of Flow Fraction Curve Name[LINK]

This field is the name of performance curve or table that describes how electric power consumption varies with air flow rate. The independent “x” variable of the performance curve or look up table is a normalized flow fraction defined as the current flow rate divided by the Design Maximum Air Flow Rate. The model actually uses the ratio of (moist) air mass flow rates with the numerator taking account of humidity and barometric pressure. The dependent variable that is the result of the performance curve or lookup table is a fraction that is multiplied by the Design Electric Power Consumption to determine the electric power use as a function of flow rate. Any of the single-independent-variable curves can be used. This field is required if the Speed Control Method is set to Continuous. This field is used when the Speed Control Method is set to Discrete and the Number of Speeds is greater than 1 and the input fields Speed “n” Electric Power Fraction are left blank. Note that the fourth order polynomial in Curve:Quartic can be used with the coefficients listed above to replicate the formulation used in the older Fan:VariableVolume input object prior to version 8.6.

Field: Night Ventilation Mode Pressure Rise[LINK]

This optional numeric field is the total system pressure rise experienced by the fan when operating in night mode using AvailabilityManager:NightVentilation, in Pascals. This field allows modeling the fan device with a different system pressure that might occur when implementing a special strategy to precool a building at night using outdoor air with dampers fully open. This field is only used when an AvailabilityManager:NightVentilation object is used that specifies the fan’s availability schedule. This field and the next one replace the FanPerformance:NightVentilation object which is not needed with this fan.

Field: Night Ventilation Mode Flow Fraction[LINK]

This numeric field is the air flow fraction for the fan speed used when operating in night mode using AvailabilityManager:NighVentilation. This field corresponds to the input field called Maximum Flow Rate in the FanPerformance:NightVentilation object and, as is the case there, this field is not currently used by the night ventilation manager (which has its own flow fraction field at present). This is a fraction between 0 and 1 and describes the speed level for the fan relative to the Design Maximum Air Flow Rate. This field and the previous one replace the FanPerformance:NightVentilation object which is not needed with this fan.

This optional field can be used to input the name of the Zone in which the fan motor is located. If the fan is outdoors, or the motor’s thermal losses are not to be modeled then leave this field blank. If a valid Zone name is entered then the portion of the motor’s thermal losses that are not added to the air stream are added to the surrounding thermal zone as internal heat gains.

This optional numeric field is used when a Zone name is entered in the previous field to determine the split between thermal radiation and thermal convection for the heat losses from the fan motor. If this field is left blank then all the losses will be convective. Values should be between 0 and 1.

This optional field allows entering a user-defined name for the end use subcategory that will be used to meter this fan’s electric energy consumption. If this field is omitted or left blank the fan will be assigned to the “General” end use subcategory. End use subcategories are helpful to organize reports in the tabular summary table and appear on special meter outputs. Any text may be used here to categorize the end-uses in the ABUPS End Uses by Subcategory table and in the LEED Summary EAp2-4/5 Performance Rating Method Compliance table.

This numeric field is used to specify the number of different speed levels available when Speed Control Method is set to Discrete. This field and the remaining field sets are not used when the Speed Control Method is set to Continuous. For a constant volume fan enter a value of 1.0. A value of 1.0 will use the fan’s maximum design and no additional field sets are needed. When set to a value greater than 1 then a pair of flow and power fraction inputs are provided for each speed in the remaining input fields.

Field Set: (Speed Flow Fraction, Speed Electric Power Fraction)[LINK]

This input object is extensible with a set of two fields for each speed that the fan can take. A field set is pair of values for the flow fraction and electric power fraction at each speed. The sets should be arranged in increasing order so that the flow fractions become larger in subsequent field sets. Typically the highest speed level will match the design maximum and have fractions of 1.0.

This is the flow fraction for the fan speed. This value is multiplied by the Design Maximum Air Flow Rate to obtain the flow rate when operating at this speed.

Field: Speed <#> Electric Power Fraction[LINK]

This field is the electric power fraction for the fan speed. This value is multiplied by the Design Electric Power Consumption to obtain the power consumption when operating at this speed. This field is optional if a performance curve is used in the input field Electric Power Function of Flow Fraction Curve Name. If omitted and the performance curve is entered, the power at this speed will be determined using the curve or table. If the power fraction is entered in this field it will be used instead of the curve or table. This allows either overriding the curve for particular speeds or removes the necessity of creating a curve for discrete speed control.

Some examples of IDF input objects follow.

Fan:SystemModel,
VAV_1_Fan ,                          !- Name
HVACOperationSchd ,                  !- Availability Schedule Name
VAV_1_HeatC-VAV_1_FanNode,           !- Air Inlet Node Name
VAV_1 Supply Equipment Outlet Node,  !- Air Outlet Node Name
AUTOSIZE ,                           !- Design Maximum Air Flow Rate
Continuous ,                         !- Speed Control Method
0.0,                                 !- Electric Power Minimum Flow Rate Fraction
1017.592,                            !- Design Pressure Rise
0.93 ,                               !- Motor Efficiency
1.0 ,                                !- Motor In Air Stream Fraction
AUTOSIZE,                            !- Design Electric Power Consumption
TotalEfficiencyAndPressure,          !- Design Power Sizing Method
,                                    !- Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate
,                                    !- Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate Per Unit Pressure
0.6045,                              !- Fan Total Efficiency
VAV Fan Curve,                       !- Electric Power Function of Flow Fraction Curve Name
,                                    !- Night Ventilation Mode Pressure Rise
,                                    !- Night Ventilation Mode Flow Fraction
,                                    !- Motor Loss Zone Name
,                                    !- Motor Loss Radiative Fraction
Fan Energy;                          !- End-Use Subcategory

Curve:Quartic,
VAV Fan Curve ,                      !- Name
0.0407598940 ,                       !- Coefficient1 Constant
0.08804497 ,                         !- Coefficient2 x
-0.072926120 ,                      !- Coefficient3 x**2
0.9437398230 ,                       !- Coefficient4 x**3
0.0 ,                                !- Coefficient5 x**4
0.0 ,                                !- Minimum Value of x
1.0 ,                                !- Maximum Value of x
0.0 ,                                !- Minimum Curve Output
1.0 ,                                !- Maximum Curve Output
Dimensionless ,                      !- Input Unit Type for X
Dimensionless ;                      !- Output Unit Type

Fan:SystemModel,
Zone1UnitHeatFan ,                   !- Name
UnitHeatAvailability ,               !- Availability Schedule Name
Zone1UnitHeatAirInletNode,           !- Air Inlet Node Name
Zone1UnitHeatFanOutletNode,          !- Air Outlet Node Name
AUTOSIZE ,                           !- Design Maximum Air Flow Rate
Discrete ,                           !- Speed Control Method
0.0,                                 !- Electric Power Minimum Flow Rate Fraction
75.0,                                !- Design Pressure Rise
0.9 ,                                !- Motor Efficiency
1.0 ,                                !- Motor In Air Stream Fraction
AUTOSIZE,                            !- Design Electric Power Consumption
TotalEfficiencyAndPressure,          !- Design Power Sizing Method
,                                    !- Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate
,                                    !- Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate Per Unit Pressure
0.50;                                !- Fan Total Efficiency

Fan:SystemModel,
Zone1FanCoilFan , !- Name
FanAndCoilAvailSched , !- Availability Schedule Name
Zone1FanCoilOAMixerOutletNode,  !- Air Inlet Node Name
Zone1FanCoilFanOutletNode,  !- Air Outlet Node Name
AUTOSIZE , !- Design Maximum Air Flow Rate
Discrete , !- Speed Control Method
0.0, !- Electric Power Minimum Flow Rate Fraction
75.0, !- Design Pressure Rise
0.9 , !- Motor Efficiency
1.0 , !- Motor In Air Stream Fraction
AUTOSIZE, !- Design Electric Power Consumption
TotalEfficiencyAndPressure, !- Design Power Sizing Method
, !- Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate
, !- Electric Power Per Unit Flow Rate Per Unit Pressure
0.50,  !- Fan Total Efficiency
, !- Electric Power Function of Flow Fraction Curve Name
, !- Night Ventilation Mode Pressure Rise
, !- Night Ventilation Mode Flow Fraction
, !- Motor Loss Zone Name
, !- Motor Loss Radiative Fraction
Fan Energy, !- End-Use Subcategory
3, !- Number of Speeds
0.33, !- Speed 1 Flow Fraction
0.12, !- Speed 1 Electric Power Fraction
0.66, !- Speed 2 Flow Fraction
0.51, !- Speed 2 Electric Power Fraction
1.0,  !- Speed 3 Flow Fraction
1.0;  !- Speed 3 Electric Power Fraction

• HVAC,Average,Fan Electric Power[W]

• HVAC,Sum,Fan Electric Energy[J]

• HVAC,Average,Fan Rise in Air Temperature[deltaC]

• HVAC,Average,Fan Air Mass Flow Rate[kg/s]

This output field contains the average electricity consumption rate for the fan in Watts for the time interval being reported.

This output contains the electricity consumption of the fan in Joules for the timestep being reported. This output is also added to a meter with Resource Type = Electricity, End Use Key = Fans, Group Key = System (ref. Output:Meter objects).

Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC][LINK]

This output contains the average rise in air temperature across the fan (outlet air temperature minus inlet air temperature) in degrees Celsius for the time interval being reported.

This output contains the average air mass flow rate in kg/s for the time interval being reported.

This object models a constant air volume fan that is intended to operate continuously based on a time schedule. This fan will not cycle on and off based on cooling/heating load or other control signals (Ref: Fan:OnOff).

A unique user-assigned name for an instance of a Fan:ConstantVolume. Any reference to this fan by another object will use this name.

The name of the schedule (ref: Schedule) that denotes whether the fan can run during a given time period. A schedule value of 0 indicates that the fan is off for that time period. A schedule value greater than 0 indicates that the fan can operate during the time period. If this field is blank, the schedule has values of 1 for all time periods. Applicable availability managers (ref. AvailabilityManagerAssignmentList) may override this schedule by forcing the fan to be on or off.

This value is the overall efficiency of the fan, i.e., the ratio of the power delivered to the fluid to the electrical input power. It is the product of the motor efficiency and the impeller efficiency. The motor efficiency is the power delivered to the shaft divided by the electrical power input to the motor. The impeller efficiency is power delivered to the fluid (air) divided by the shaft power. The power delivered to the fluid is the mass flow rate of the air multiplied by the pressure rise divided by the air density. This input value must be between 0 and 1.The default is 0.7.

The pressure rise in Pascals at full flow and standard (sea level) conditions (20 °C and 101325 Pa).

The full load air volumetric flow rate (m/sec) at standard temperature and pressure (dry air at 20 °C drybulb). The program does use local barometric pressure to account for altitude using equation for “standard atmospheric” pressure on p 6.1 of the ASHRAE 1997 HOF (SI edition) to initialize the air systems being simulated.

p = 101325*(1-2.25577E-05*Z)**5.2559

where p = pressure in Pa and Z = altitude in m

The shaft power divided by the electrical power consumed. Must be between 0 and 1. The default is 0.9.

The fraction of the motor heat that is added to the air stream. A value of 0 means that the motor is completely outside the air stream. A value of 1 means that all of the motor heat loss will go into the air stream and act to cause a temperature rise. Must be between 0 and 1. The default is 1.0.

The name of the HVAC system node which supplies the inlet air conditions to the fan.

The name of the HVAC system node to which the fan sends its outlet air.

Allows you to specify a user-defined end-use subcategory, e.g., “Central System”, etc. A new meter for reporting is created for each unique subcategory (ref: Output:Meter objects). Any text may be used here to categorize the end-uses in the ABUPS End Uses by Subcategory table and in the LEED Summary EAp2-4/5 Performance Rating Method Compliance table. If this field is omitted or blank, the fan will be assigned to the “General” end-use subcategory.

• HVAC,Average,Fan Electric Power[W]

• HVAC,Average,Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC]

• HVAC,Sum,Fan Electric Energy [J]

This output field contains the average electricity consumption rate for the fan in Watts for the timestep being reported.

Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC][LINK]

This output field contains the average rise in air temperature across the fan (outlet air temperature minus inlet air temperature) in degrees Celsius for the timestep being reported.

This output field contains the electricity consumption of the fan in Joules for the timestep being reported. This output is also added to a meter with Resource Type = Electricity, End Use Key = Fans, Group Key = System (ref. Output:Meter objects).

This object models a constant air volume fan that is intended to cycle on and off in tandem with a cooling or heating system (i.e., AUTO fan control mode). The fan can also operate continuously like Fan:ConstantVolume. If modeling continuous operation and this object is used as part of a system that utilizes Coil:Heating:Fuel, Coil:Cooling:DX:SingleSpeed or Coil:Heating:DX:SingleSpeed, the user should confirm proper air flow rates (coil and fan max flows are equal) and that the coil part-load fraction correlation(s) are appropriate (e.g., part-load fraction is less than or equal to 1 for all values of coil part-load ratio). If modeling multi-speed fan operation, this object must be used as part of a compound object that allows multiple fan speeds (e.g., AirLoopHVAC:Unitary:Furnace:HeatCool, ZoneHVAC:PackagedTerminalAirConditioner, etc.). In this case, the ratio of the compound object air flow rate to the fan’s maximum air flow rate is used to determine the power at alternate fan speeds. The optional input for Fan Power Ratio Function of Speed Ratio Curve Name must be entered to model multi-speed fan operation. An optional fan total efficiency ratio curve is also available to model efficiency differences at alternate fan speeds.

A unique user-assigned name for an instance of a Fan:OnOff. Any reference to this fan by another object will use this name.

The name of the schedule (ref: Schedule) that denotes whether the fan can run during a given time period. A schedule value of 0 indicates that the fan is off for that time period. A schedule value greater than 0 indicates that the fan can operate during the time period. If this field is blank, the schedule has values of 1 for all time periods. Applicable availability managers (ref. AvailabilityManagerAssignmentList) may override this schedule by forcing the fan to be on or off.

This value is the overall efficiency of the fan, i.e., the ratio of the power delivered to the fluid to the electrical input power. It is the product of the motor efficiency and the impeller efficiency. The motor efficiency is the power delivered to the shaft divided by the electrical power input to the motor. The impeller efficiency is power delivered to the fluid (air) divided by the shaft power. The power delivered to the fluid is the mass flow rate of the air multiplied by the pressure rise divided by the air density. This input value must be between 0 and 1.The default is 0.6.

The pressure rise in Pascals at full flow and standard (sea level) conditions (20 °C and 101325 Pa).

The full load air volumetric flow rate (m/sec) at standard temperature and pressure (dry air at 20 °C drybulb). The program does use local barometric pressure to account for altitude using equation for “standard atmospheric” pressure on p 6.1 of the ASHRAE 1997 HOF (SI edition) to initialize the air systems being simulated.

p = 101325*(1-2.25577E-05*Z)**5.2559

where p = pressure in Pa and Z = altitude in m

The shaft power divided by the electrical power consumed. Must be between 0 and 1. The default is 0.8.

The fraction of the motor heat that is added to the air stream. A value of 0 means that the motor is completely outside the air stream. A value of 1 means that all of the motor heat loss will go into the air stream and act to cause a temperature rise. Must be between 0 and 1. The default is 1.0.

The name of the HVAC system node which supplies the inlet air conditions to the fan.

The name of the HVAC system node to which the fan sends its outlet air.

Field: Fan Power Ratio Function of Speed Ratio Curve Name[LINK]

Enter the name of an exponent performance curve. This optional alpha field must be used to simulate multi-speed fan motors. This curve represents the ratio of actual fan power to rated fan power when a change in fan speed occurs. Leave this field blank when simulating constant-speed fan motors.

Field: Fan Efficiency Ratio Function of Speed Ratio Curve Name[LINK]

Enter the name of a quadratic or cubic performance curve. This optional alpha field is used to simulate multi-speed fan motors. This curve represents the ratio of actual fan total efficiency to rated fan total efficiency when a change in fan speed occurs. Leave this field blank when simulating constant-speed fan motors.

Allows you to specify a user-defined end-use subcategory, e.g., “Main Fans”, etc. A new meter for reporting is created for each unique subcategory (ref: Output:Meter objects). Subcategories are also reported in the ABUPS table. If this field is omitted or blank, the fan will be assigned to the “General” end-use subcategory.

Following is an example input for an OnOff Fan.

Fan:OnOff,
Supply Fan 1,                   ! Fan Name
FanAndCoilAvailSched,   ! Fan Schedule
0.7,                                     ! Fan Total Efficiency
600.0,                                 ! Delta Pressure [N/M^2]
1.3,                                     ! Max Flow Rate   [m^3/Sec]
0.9,                                     ! Motor Efficiency
1.0,                                     ! Motor in Airstream Fraction (1.0 means motor in air stream)
Air Loop Inlet Node, Cooling Coil Air Inlet Node;   !Inlet Node, Outlet Node

HVAC,Average,Fan Electric Power[W]

HVAC,Average,Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC]

HVAC,Sum,Fan Electric Energy [J]

HVAC,Average,Fan Runtime Fraction []

This output field contains the average electricity consumption rate for the fan in Watts for the timestep being reported.

Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC][LINK]

This output field contains the average rise in air temperature across the fan (outlet air temperature minus inlet air temperature) in degrees Celsius for the timestep being reported.

This output field contains the electricity consumption of the fan in Joules for the timestep being reported. This output is also added to a meter with Resource Type = Electricity, End Use Key = Fans, Group Key = System (ref. Output:Meter objects).

This output field contains the fraction of time that this fan operated for the timestep being reported.

A unique user-assigned name for an instance of a Fan:VariableVolume. Any reference to this fan by another object will use this name.

The name of the schedule (ref: Schedule) that denotes whether the fan can run during a given time period. A schedule value of 0 indicates that the fan is off for that time period. A schedule value greater than 0 indicates that the fan can operate during the time period. If this field is blank, the schedule has values of 1 for all time periods. Applicable availability managers (ref. AvailabilityManagerAssignmentList) may override this schedule by forcing the fan to be on or off.

This value is the overall efficiency of the fan, i.e., the ratio of the power delivered to the fluid to the electrical input power. It is the product of the motor efficiency and the impeller efficiency. The motor efficiency is the power delivered to the shaft divided by the electrical power input to the motor. The impeller efficiency is power delivered to the fluid (air) divided by the shaft power. The power delivered to the fluid is the mass flow rate of the air multiplied by the pressure rise divided by the air density. This input value must be between 0 and 1. The default is 0.7.

The pressure rise in Pascals at full flow and standard (sea level) conditions (20 °C and 101325 Pa).

The full load air volumetric flow rate (m/sec) at standard temperature and pressure (dry air at 20 °C drybulb). The program does use local barometric pressure to account for altitude using equation for “standard atmospheric” pressure on p 6.1 of the ASHRAE 1997 HOF (SI edition) to initialize the air systems being simulated.

p = 101325*(1-2.25577E-05*Z)**5.2559

where p = pressure in Pa and Z = altitude in m

Field: Fan Power Minimum Flow Rate Input Method[LINK]

This field is a key/choice field that tells which of the next two fields is filled and is descriptive of how the minimum flow rate is specified for calculating the fan power. The key/choices are:

• Fraction

With this choice, the fan power will be calculated using the value specified in the Fan Power Minimum Flow Fraction field. (The Fan Power Minimum Flow Fraction field should be filled.)

• FixedFlowRate

With this choice, the fan power will be calculated using the value specified in the Fan Power Minimum Air Flow Rate field. (The Fan Power Minimum Air Flow Rate field should be filled.)

The default is Fraction.

Field: Fan Power Minimum Flow Fraction[LINK]

The minimum air volumetric flow rate for fan power, specified as a fraction of maximum system air flow rate. Must be between 0 and 1. Note that this field is only used to calculate the fan power. This field does not enforce the system air flow rate during simulation. The default is 0.25.

Field: Fan Power Minimum Air Flow Rate[LINK]

The minimum air volumetric flow rate for fan power, specified as a constant minimum air flow rate (m3/sec). Note that this field is only used to calculate the fan power. This field does not enforce the system air flow rate during simulation.

The shaft power divided by the electrical power consumed. Must be between 0 and 1. The default is 0.9.

The fraction of the motor heat that is added to the air stream. A value of 0 means that the motor is completely outside the air stream. A value of 1 means that all of the motor heat loss will go into the air stream and act to cause a temperature rise. Must be between 0 and 1. The default is 1.0.

The constant coefficient (C) in a fourth order polynomial curve giving the fraction of full load power (PLF) as a function of flow fraction (FF). Flow fraction is the air mass flow rate divided by the maximum air mass flow rate. The curve is:

PLF = C + C FF + C FF C FF + C FF

The linear coefficient (C) in a fourth order polynomial curve giving the fraction of full load power (PLF) as a function of flow fraction (FF). Flow fraction is the air mass flow rate divided by the maximum air mass flow rate. The curve is:

PLF = C + C FF + C FF C FF + C FF

The quadratic coefficient (C) in a fourth order polynomial curve giving the fraction of full load power (PLF) as a function of flow fraction (FF). Flow fraction is the air mass flow rate divided by the maximum air mass flow rate. The curve is:

PLF = C + C FF + C FF C FF + C FF

The cubic coefficient (C) in a fourth order polynomial curve giving the fraction of full load power (PLF) as a function of flow fraction (FF). Flow fraction is the air mass flow rate divided by the maximum air mass flow rate. The curve is:

PLF = C$_{1}$ + C$_{2}$$^{.} FF + C_{3}$$^{.}$ FF$^{2\\ +}$ C$_{4}$$^{.} FF^{3} + C_{5}$$^{.}$ FF$^{4}$

The coefficient C in a fourth order polynomial curve giving the fraction of full load power (PLF) as a function of flow fraction (FF). Flow fraction is the air mass flow rate divided by the maximum air mass flow rate. The curve is:

PLF = C$_{1}$ + C$_{2}$$^{.} FF + C_{3}$$^{.}$ FF$^{2\\ +}$ C$_{4}$$^{.} FF^{3} + C_{5}$$^{.}$ FF$^{4}$

The name of the HVAC system node which supplies the inlet air conditions to the fan.

The name of the HVAC system node to which the fan sends its outlet air.

Allows you to specify a user-defined end-use subcategory, e.g., “Central System”, etc. A new meter for reporting is created for each unique subcategory (ref: Output:Meter objects). Any text may be used here to categorize the end-uses in the ABUPS End Uses by Subcategory table and in the LEED Summary EAp2-4/5 Performance Rating Method Compliance table. If this field is omitted or blank, the fan will be assigned to the “General” end-use subcategory.

• HVAC,Average,Fan Electric Power[W]

• HVAC,Average,Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC]

• HVAC,Sum,Fan Electric Energy [J]

This output field contains the average electricity consumption rate for the fan in Watts for the timestep being reported.

Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC][LINK]

This output field contains the average rise in air temperature across the fan (outlet air temperature minus inlet air temperature) in degrees Celsius for the timestep being reported.

This output field contains the electricity consumption of the fan in Joules for the timestep being reported. This output is also added to a meter with Resource Type = Electricity, End Use Key = Fans, Group Key = System (ref. Output:Meter objects).

This fan object differs from the other fans in that it stands on its own in a zone rather than serving as one part of an HVAC air system. This object appears directly in a ZoneHVAC:EquipmentList object and all the controls are contained within the fan object. The zone exhaust fan model provides a way to include the electrical power used by the fan. It can also impact air flows in central air handlers by decreasing the flow of return air and sometimes increasing the outdoor air flow rate.

There are several control options available for the exhaust fan including: an on/off availability schedule, interaction with system availability managers, minimum zone air temperature control limits and a variable flow fraction schedule.

The way in which the exhaust fan impacts central air system can be controlled by declaring what portion of the flow has been balanced by simple airflow from infiltration, ventilation, or mixing. However, it is important to note that presence of an exhaust fan does not by itself drive any simple airflow such as infiltration, ventilation, or zone mixing. There is no comprehensive automatic mass balancing between air system flows, exhaust flows, and the separate simple airflows. For balancing, the simple airflows need to have their own input objects that need to be coordinated with the exhaust fan.

A unique user-assigned name for an instance of a Fan:ZoneExhaust. Any reference to this fan by another object will use this name.

The name of the schedule (ref: Schedule) that denotes whether the fan can run during a given time period. A schedule value of 0 indicates that the fan is off for that time period. A schedule value greater than 0 indicates that the fan can operate during the time period. If this field is blank, the schedule has values of 1 for all time periods. Applicable availability managers (ref. AvailabilityManagerAssignmentList) may override this schedule by forcing the fan to be on or off.

This value is the overall efficiency of the fan, i.e., the ratio of the power delivered to the fluid to the electrical input power. It is the product of the motor efficiency and the impeller efficiency. The motor efficiency is the power delivered to the shaft divided by the electrical power input to the motor. The impeller efficiency is power delivered to the fluid (air) divided by the shaft power. The power delivered to the fluid is the mass flow rate of the air multiplied by the pressure rise divided by the air density. This input value must be between 0 and 1. The default is 0.6.

The pressure rise in Pascals at full flow and standard (sea level) conditions (20 °C and 101325 Pa).

The full load air volumetric flow rate (m/sec) at standard temperature and pressure (dry air at 20 °C drybulb). The program does use local barometric pressure to account for altitude using equation for “standard atmospheric” pressure on p 6.1 of the ASHRAE 1997 HOF (SI edition) to initialize the air systems being simulated.

p = 101325*(1-2.25577E-05*Z)**5.2559

where p = pressure in Pa and Z = altitude in m

The name of the HVAC system node which supplies the inlet air conditions to the fan. This node should be listed as a zone exhaust node in an associated ZoneHVAC:EquipmentConnections object.

The name of the HVAC system node to which the fan sends its outlet air.

Allows you to specify a user-defined end-use subcategory, e.g., “Kitchen Exhaust”, “Fume Hoods”, etc. A new meter for reporting is created for each unique subcategory (ref: Output:Meter objects). Any text may be used here to categorize the end-uses in the ABUPS End Uses by Subcategory table and in the LEED Summary EAp2-4/5 Performance Rating Method Compliance table. If this field is omitted or blank, the fan will be assigned to the “General” end-use subcategory.

This field is optional. If it is not used then the fan operates at the maximum flow rate. If a schedule is input here, then it should contain fractional values between 0.0 and 1.0, inclusive. The flow rate that the fan operates will be this fraction times the maximum flow rate. This allows a variable speed exhaust fan to be modeled according to a schedule.

Field: System Availability Manager Coupling Mode[LINK]

This field is optional. If it is not used then the exhaust fan is assumed to be integrated with the central air handler’s system availability manager. This field can be used to control if the exhaust fan should operate independently or not. For example, when a night cycle availability manager turns on the central air system for freeze protection, this field can be used to control if the zone exhaust fans should also run at the same time or not. The key choice Coupled indicates that the exhaust fan should be integrated with the system availability manager so that the fan runs when the air system is forced to run. The key choice Decoupled indicates that the exhaust fan should operate on its own and ignore the system availability manager’s requests so that the exhaust fan can remain off when the air system runs. The default is Coupled.

Field: Minimum Zone Temperature Limit Schedule Name[LINK]

This field is optional. If it is not used then there will be no temperature-related control over the operation of the exhaust fan. If the field is used, then enter the name of a schedule with values for zone temperature values (°C). The fan’s control will be based on a comparison between the current zone air temperature and the schedule values. If the zone is warmer than the scheduled limit, then the fan will operate. When balancing with simple ventilation, this feature can be used to coordinate exhaust fan operation with ZoneVentilation:* controls for minimum indoor temperature.

Field: Balanced Exhaust Fraction Schedule Name[LINK]

This field is optional. If it is not used, then all the exhaust air flow is assumed to be unbalanced by any simple airflows, such as infiltration, ventilation, or zone mixing. Unbalanced exhaust is then modeled as being provided by the outdoor air system in the central air system. The modeling of unbalanced will reduce the flow rates at the zone’s return air node by the flow rate that is being exhausted and will ensure that the outdoor air flow rate is sufficient to serve the exhaust. If this field is used, then enter the name of a schedule with fractional values between 0.0 and 1.0, inclusive. This fraction is applied to the exhaust fan flow rate and the model tracks the portion of the exhaust that is balanced. Balanced exhaust is then modeled as being provided by simple airflows and does not impact the central air system return air or outdoor air flow rates. For example, if a kitchen zone with an exhaust fan is designed to draw half of its make up air from a neighboring dining room and the other half from the outdoor air system, then a schedule value of 0.5 could be used here.

• HVAC,Average,Fan Electric Power [W]

• HVAC,Average,Fan Rise in Air Temperature[deltaC]

• HVAC,Sum,Fan Electric Energy [J]

• HVAC,Average,Fan Unbalanced Air Mass Flow Rate [kg/s]

• HVAC,Average,Fan Balanced Air Mass Flow Rate [kg/s]

This output field contains the average electricity consumption rate for the fan in Watts for the timestep being reported.

Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC][LINK]

This output field contains the average rise in air temperature across the fan (outlet air temperature minus inlet air temperature) in degrees Celsius for the timestep being reported.

This output field contains the electricity consumption of the fan in Joules for the timestep being reported. This output is also added to an output meter with Resource Type = Electricity, End Use Key = Fans, Group Key = System (ref. Output:Meter objects).

Fan Balanced Air Mass Flow Rate [kg/s][LINK]

These two output variables are available when the exhaust fan uses the input field called Balanced Exhaust Fraction Schedule Name. The balanced air flow is the result of the current flow rate times the balance fraction. The unbalanced air flow is the difference between the current flow rate and the balanced flow rate. These outputs are the resulting flow rates in kg/s.

Examples of Fan:ConstantVolume, Fan:VariableVolume, Fan:ZoneExhaust, and , Fan:OnOff, fans in an IDF are:

Fan:ConstantVolume,
Supply Fan 1,   !- Name
FanAndCoilAvailSched,               !- Availability Schedule Name
0.7,                     !- Fan Total Efficiency
600.0,                 !- Pressure Rise {Pa}
1.3,                     !- Maximum Flow Rate {m3/sec}
0.9,                     !- Motor Efficiency
1.0,                     !- Motor in Airstream Fraction
Air Loop Inlet Node, Cooling Coil Air Inlet Node;   !- Air Inlet Node Name, Air Outlet Node Name

Fan:VariableVolume,
Var Vol Supply Fan 1,   !- Name
FanAndCoilAvailSched,   !-Availability Schedule Name
0.7,                    !- Fan Total Efficiency
600.0,                !- Pressure Rise {Pa}
1.3,                    !- Maximum Flow Rate {m3/s}
0.20,                   !- Minimum Flow Rate {m3/s}
0.9,                    !- Motor Efficiency
1.0,                     !- Motor in Airstream Fraction
0.35071223,       !- Fan Coefficient 1
0.30850535,       !- Fan Coefficient 2
-0.54137364,       !- Fan Coefficient 3
0.87198823,       !- Fan Coefficient 4
0.000,                 !- Fan Coefficient 5
Air Loop Inlet Node, Cooling Coil Air Inlet Node;  !- Air Inlet Node Name,Air Outlet Node Name

Fan:ZoneExhaust,
Zone 2 Exhaust Fan,                           !-Name
FanAndCoilAvailSched,                       !-Availability Schedule Name
0.6,                                                         !-Fan Total Efficiency
125,                                                         !-Pressure Rise {Pa}
0.1,                                                         !-Maximum Flow Rate {m3/s}
Zone 2 Exhaust Node,                         !-Air Inlet Node Name
Zone 2 Exhaust Fan Outlet Node,   !-Air Outlet Node Name
Kitchen Exhaust;                                 !- End-Use Subcategory

Fan:OnOff,
AHU 1 Supply Fan,               !- Name
FanAvailSched,                     !- Availability Schedule Name
0.7,                                         !- Fan Total Efficiency
600.0,                                     !- Pressure Rise {Pa}
2.0,                                         !- Maximum Flow Rate {m3/s}
0.9,                                         !- Motor Efficiency
1.0,                                         !- Motor in Airstream Fraction
AHU 1 Air Loop Inlet,       !- Air Inlet Node Name
AHU 1 Supply Fan Outlet; !- Air Outlet Node Name

This object is used for specifying an alternate set of performance parameters for a fan. These alternate parameters are used when a system manager (such as AvailabilityManager:NightVentilation) sets a specified flow rate for a central forced air system. At this time, it can be used with Fan:ConstantVolume, Fan:VariableVolume, Fan:ZoneExhaust, Fan:OnOff and Fan:SystemModel fans, but not with Fan:ComponentModel fans. The fan model checks whether a fixed flow rate has been set; if it has the fan model will use these alternate performance parameters. Note that it is assumed that the fan will run at a fixed speed in the alternate mode. The inputs needed by this object are the fan name, fan total efficiency, pressure rise, flow rate, motor efficiency, and motor in airstream fraction.

This is the name of a fan defined elsewhere in the input file. The night vent performance parameters will be applied to the named fan when a system manager has set the air system flow rate.

This value is the overall efficiency of the fan, i.e., the ratio of the power delivered to the fluid to the electrical input power. It is the product of the motor efficiency and the impeller efficiency. The motor efficiency is the power delivered to the shaft divided by the electrical power input to the motor. The impeller efficiency is power delivered to the fluid (air) divided by the shaft power. The power delivered to the fluid is the mass flow rate of the air multiplied by the pressure rise divided by the air density. This input value must be between 0 and 1. This is a required field with no default.

The pressure rise in Pascals at full flow and standard (sea level) conditions (20 °C and 101325 Pa).

The design volumetric flow rate of the fan (m/sec) at standard conditions. This input is not currently used by the night ventilation manager. The flow rate during night ventilation is specified using the SystemAvailabilityManager:NightVentilation “Night Venting Flow Fraction” field. This fraction is multiplied times the fan object’s design flow rate.

The shaft power divided by the electrical power consumed. Must be between 0 and 1. This is a required field with no default.

The fraction of the motor heat that is added to the air stream. A value of 0 means that the motor is completely outside the air stream. A value of 1 means that all of the motor heat loss will go into the air stream and act to cause a temperature rise. Must be between 0 and 1. The default is 1.0.

An example of use in an IDF:

Fan:VariableVolume,
Supply Fan 1,                       !- Name
FanAvailSched,                     !- Availability Schedule Name
0.7,                                         !- Fan Efficiency
600.0,                                     !- Pressure Rise {Pa}
autosize,                               !- Maximum Flow Rate {m3/s}
autosize,                               !- Minimum Flow Rate {m3/s}
0.9,                                         !- Motor Efficiency
1.0,                                         !- Motor In Airstream Fraction
0.35071223,                           !- Fan Coefficient 1
0.30850535,                           !- Fan Coefficient 2
-0.54137364,                         !- Fan Coefficient 3
0.87198823,                           !- Fan Coefficient 4
0.000,                                     !- Fan Coefficient 5
Main Heating Coil 1 Outlet Node,   !- Air Inlet Node Name
VAV Sys 1 Outlet Node;     !- Air Outlet Node Name

FanPerformance:NightVentilation,
Supply Fan 1,                       !- Fan Name
0.7,                                         !- Fan Total Efficiency
67.0,                                       !- Pressure Rise {Pa}
autosize,                               !- Maximum Flow Rate {m3/s}
0.9,                                         !- Motor Efficiency
1.0;                                         !- Motor in Airstream Fraction

The Fan:ComponentModel fan is a more detailed fan type that can be defined in the air loop for central constant-air-volume (CAV) and variable-air-volume (VAV) systems. It includes inputs that describe the air-distribution system as well as the fan, its drive belt (if used), its motor, and its variable-frequency-drive (if used). See the engineering documentation for further descriptions about the inputs for this fan type.

The required unique user-assigned alpha name for an instance of a Fan:ComponentModel. Any reference to this fan by another object will use this name.

The required alpha name of the HVAC system node which supplies the inlet air conditions to the fan.

The required alpha name of the HVAC system node to which the fan sends its outlet air.

The required alpha name of the schedule (ref: Schedule) that denotes whether the fan can run during a given time period. A schedule value of 0 indicates that the fan is off for that time period. A schedule value greater than 0 indicates that the fan can operate during the time period. If this field is blank, the schedule has values of 1 for all time periods. Applicable availability managers (ref. AvailabilityManagerAssignmentList) may override this schedule by forcing the fan to be on or off.

The full-load volumetric airflow (m/sec) through the fan at standard temperature and pressure (dry air at 20 °C dry-bulb). To initialize the air systems being simulated, the program uses local barometric pressure adjusted for altitude, based on the equation for “standard atmospheric” pressure on p.6.1 of the 1997 ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (SI edition):

p = 101325 * (1 - 2.25577E-05 * Z)**5.2559

where p = pressure in Pa and Z = altitude in m. Can be autosized.

Specified or autosized maximum airflow rate (including effects of scaling by Field: Fan Sizing Factor) along with corresponding fan static pressure rise and fan shaft power are reported in the .eio file as, respectively, Design Fan Airflow [m3/s], Design Fan Static Pressure Rise [Pa], and Design Fan Shaft Power [W].

The minimum volumetric airflow (m/sec) through the fan at standard temperature and pressure (see Maximum Flow Rate field above for condition details). Can be autosized.

The numeric dimensionless factor (F) used to multiply the specified or autosized full-load volumetric airflow (see Maximum Flow Rate field above for details) for fan sizing. If specified, minimum value is 1.0. Default is 1.0 if field is blank.

The required numeric outer diameter of the fan wheel (D, m). This value is determined from manufacturer’s data. In general, larger diameter fans have higher maximum efficiency than smaller diameter fans of the same type (Ref: AMCA Standard 205-10: Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans). Must be greater than zero.

The required numeric outlet area of the fan (A, m). This value is determined from manufacturer’s data. It is used to convert fan total pressure rise to fan static pressure rise. Fan static pressure rise is the fan total pressure rise minus the fan outlet velocity pressure; it is not the difference between fan outlet and inlet static pressures (Ref: ANSI/AMCA Standard 210-07, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 51-07: Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating). Must be greater than zero.

The required numeric maximum ratio ( ) between the power delivered to the air (H, W) and the fan shaft input power (H, W). For this parameter, H is the volumetric airflow through the fan multiplied by the fan static pressure rise. Maximum fan static efficiency is determined from analyses of manufacturers data using:

where P is fan static pressure rise (Pa) and Q is airflow through the fan (m/sec). Typically, do not select curves on fan performance maps of pressure rise versus flow correspond to or are near maximum efficiency. Must be greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0.

Calculated fan static efficiency at design flow condition (including part-load effects of oversized fan) is reported in the .eio file as Design Fan Efficiency [-].

Field: Euler Number at Maximum Fan Static Efficiency[LINK]

The required numeric Euler number (Eu), which is also called the throttling or pressure coefficient, and is the ratio of pressure forces to inertial forces. The Euler number is determined from analyses of manufacturer’s data using:

where P is fan static pressure rise (Pa; see Fan Pressure Rise Curve Name field), D is wheel diameter (m), ρ is the manufacturer’s reference air density (kg/m), and Q is airflow through the fan (m/sec). Eu is calculated using any pair of pressure rise and airflow values that correspond with maximum fan static efficiency for the specified fan. Must be greater than zero.

The required numeric maximum dimensionless airflow () through the fan, which corresponds to the maximum ratio between the airflow through the fan (, m/sec) and the fan shaft rotational speed (, rpm) for the specified fan wheel diameter (D, m). is determined from manufacturers data using:

occurs at minimum Eu, which corresponds to maximum speed (high flow) with zero pressure rise. The factor () converts revolutions per minute (rpm) to rad/s. Must be greater than zero.

The numeric dimensionless ratio of the motor pulley diameter to the fan pulley diameter (D / D). If specified, must be greater than zero. This ratio can be adjusted to account for belt slip if the fractional slip is known (multiply the drive ratio with no slip by 1+s, where s is the belt fractional slip). Default is 1.0 if field is blank (leave blank if no belt; i.e., direct drive). Can be autosized (assumes no slip).

Specified or autosized motor/fan pulley diameter ratio is reported in the .eio file as Drive Ratio [-]. Autosized ratio is based on fan speed in revolutions per minute (rpm), calculated at design flow condition, divided by Field: Motor Maximum Speed.

The required numeric maximum output torque capacity of the fan drive belt ( [N-m]). If specified, must be greater than zero. Can be autosized. Use autosize if no belt (i.e., direct drive).

Specified or autosized belt maximum output torque (including effects of scaling by Field: Belt Sizing Factor) is reported in the .eio file as Design Belt Output Torque [N -m]. Also, calculated maximum belt efficiency corresponding to Design Fan Shaft Power, along with belt efficiency at design flow condition (including part-load effects of oversized belt), are reported in the .eio file as, respectively, Maximum Belt Efficiency [-] and Design Belt Efficiency [-].

The numeric dimensionless factor (F) used to multiply the specified or autosized fan shaft maximum output torque (*). If specified, minimum value is 1.0. Default is 1.0 if field is blank.

The numeric transition point (x) between performance curves for Regions 1 and 2 for the drive belt normalized part-load efficiency. Must be between 0.0 and 1.0. Default is 0.167 (corresponds to generic V-belt) if field is blank.

The required numeric maximum rotational speed of the fan motor shaft () in revolutions per minute (rpm). Typical values for motors supplied by 60 Hz power are near 900, 1200, 1800, and 3600 rpm. Must be greater than zero.

The required numeric maximum output power (input power to the fan drive belt) by the motor (H, W). If specified, must be greater than zero. Can be autosized. In the case of direct drive, H corresponds to the maximum fan shaft power (H).

Specified or autosized maximum motor output power (including effects of scaling by Field: Motor Sizing Factor) is reported in the .eio file as Design Motor Output Power [W]. Also, calculated maximum motor efficiency corresponding to Design Motor Output Power, along with motor efficiency at design flow condition (including part-load effects of oversized motor), are reported in the .eio file as, respectively, Maximum Motor Efficiency [-] and Design Motor Efficiency [-]. Note that maximum motor efficiency often occurs at less than full load.

The numeric dimensionless sizing factor (F) used to multiply the specified or autosized fan motor output power (H). If specified, minimum value is 1.0. Default is 1.0.

The numeric fraction of the combined motor and belt heat that is added to the air stream. A value of 0.0 means that the motor and belt are completely outside the air stream. A value of 1.0 means that all of the motor and belt heat loss will go into the air stream and act to cause an air enthalpy rise. Must be between 0.0 and 1.0. Default is 1.0.

The alpha basis for calculating fan variable-frequency-drive (VFD) efficiency: Power , which corresponds to a function of the fraction of full-load motor input power (H / H), or Speed , which corresponds to a function of the fraction of full-load speed (). If this field is blank, then it is assumed that the VFD efficiency is 0.97. If no VFD is used, then specify Power and also specify a VFD efficiency curve with a constant value of 1.0 (see VFD Efficiency Curve Name field for details).

The required numeric maximum output power (input power to the fan motor) by the variable frequency drive (H, W). If specified, must be greater than zero. Can be autosized.

Specified or autosized maximum VFD output power (including effects of scaling by Field: VFD Sizing Factor) and corresponding VFD input power are reported in the .eio file as, respectively, Design VFD Output Power [W] and Rated Power [W]. Also, calculated VFD efficiency corresponding to Design VFD Output Power (including part-load effects of oversized VFD) along with corresponding combined system efficiency (fan, belt, motor, and VFD efficiencies multiplied together) at design flow condition are reported in the .eio file as, respectively, Design VFD Efficiency [-] and Design Combined Efficiency [-].

The numeric dimensionless factor (F) used to multiply the specified or autosized motor maximum input power (H). If specified, minimum value is 1.0. Default is 1.0 if field is blank.

Field: Fan Pressure Rise Curve Name[LINK]

The required alpha name of the fan total pressure rise performance curve (ref: Curve:FanPressureRise in Performance Curves) that parameterizes the variation of fan total pressure rise (P, Pa) as a function of volumetric flow through the fan (Q, m/s) and duct static pressure set point (P, Pa). The fan outlet velocity pressure is subtracted from the output of this curve to determine fan static pressure rise, which is then used to calculate a dimensionless Euler number at each time step. The Euler number is in turn used to determine fan efficiency, speed, and torque (the Euler number is defined in the Euler Number at Maximum Fan Static Efficiency field). This curve should be valid for the range of volumetric flows, distribution system leakage, duct static pressures, and static pressures surrounding the ducts anticipated for the simulation period.

Field: Duct Static Pressure Reset Curve Name[LINK]

The required alpha name of the performance curve that parameterizes the variation of the duct static pressure set point (, Pa) as a function of volumetric flow through the fan (, m/s), which is used so that the resistance associated with VAV box damper operation is reduced.

The output of this curve is used to calculate the duct static pressure set point at each time step. This curve should be valid for the range of duct static pressure set points and volumetric flows, anticipated for the simulation period.

For an ad hoc linear duct static pressure reset scheme, the relation (ref: Curve:Linear in Performance Curves) between duct static pressure (, Pa) and flow through the fan (, m/s) for is:

where and

For Q < Q, P = P;for Q > Q, P = P

The minimum and maximum fan airflows (Q and Q) correspond respectively to the minimum and maximum duct static pressure set points (P and P).

If no duct static pressure reset scheme is used and the duct static pressure set point is constant, then parameter C is set to zero and C represents the constant duct static pressure set point.

Field: Normalized Fan Static Efficiency Curve Name Non-Stall Region[LINK]

The required alpha name of the exponential-modified skew normal performance curve (ref: Curve:ExponentialSkewNormal in Performance Curves) that parameterizes the normalized fan static efficiency () at each time step for the normal operating (non-stall) region of the fan performance map as a function of , which is defined as log-base-10 of Eu at the fan flow and pressure rise operating point divided by Eu at maximum fan static efficiency . In this region, .

The output of this curve is used to calculate the fan efficiency at each time step by modifying (see Maximum Fan Static Efficiency field). This curve should have a maximum of 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

Field: Normalized Fan Static Efficiency Curve Name Stall Region[LINK]

The required alpha name of the exponential-modified skew normal performance curve (ref: Curve:ExponentialSkewNormal in Performance Curves) that parameterizes the normalized fan static efficiency () at each time step for the stall region of the fan performance map as a function of (see Normalized Fan Static Efficiency Curve Name Non-Stall Region field). In this region, .

The output of this curve is used to calculate the fan efficiency at each time step by modifying (see Maximum Fan Static Efficiency field). This curve should have a maximum of 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

Field: Normalized Dimensionless Airflow Curve Name Non-Stall Region[LINK]

The required alpha name of the sigmoid performance curve (ref: Curve:Sigmoid in Performance Curves) that parameterizes the normalized dimensionless airflow through the fan () at each time step for the normal operating (non-stall) region of the fan performance map as a function of , which is defined as log-base-10 of Eu at the fan flow and pressure rise operating point divided by Eu at maximum fan static efficiency . In this region, .

The output of this curve is used to calculate the dimensionless airflow at each time step by modifying (see Maximum Dimensionless Fan Airflow field). This curve should have a maximum of 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

Field: Normalized Dimensionless Airflow Curve Name Stall Region[LINK]

The required alpha name of the sigmoid performance curve (ref: Curve:Sigmoid in Performance Curves) that parameterizes the normalized dimensionless airflow through the fan () at each time step for the stall region of the fan performance map as a function of (see Normalized Dimensionless Airflow Curve Name Non-Stall Region field). In this region, .

The output of this curve is used to calculate the dimensionless airflow at each time step by modifying (see Maximum Dimensionless Fan Airflow field). This curve should have a maximum of 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

Field: Maximum Belt Efficiency Curve Name[LINK]

The alpha name of the quartic polynomial performance curve (ref: Curve:Quartic in Performance Curves) that determines the maximum fan drive belt efficiency in logarithmic space () as a function of . The curve is:

where with expressed in terms of hp.

Note that .

The output of this curve must be greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0. If is known, it is represented by coefficient (). In this case, coefficients through are set to zero. If this field is left blank (e.g., there is no belt), the model assumes that the output of the modifier curve is 1.0 for the entire simulation (maximum belt efficiency = 1.0).

Field: Normalized Belt Efficiency Curve Name Region 1[LINK]

The alpha name of the single rectangular hyperbola type 2 performance curve (ref: Curve:RectangularHyperbola2 in Performance Curves) that determines the normalized (par-load) fan drive belt efficiency () as a function of . Normalized belt efficiency is represented by a segmented curve with three different regions. The curve for Region 1 () is:

where = ; is the belt output torque that corresponds to the calculated power input to the fan shaft (, W) by the drive belt and the calculated fan shaft speed (, rpm).

The output of this curve is used to calculate the belt efficiency in Region 1 at each time step by modifying (see Maximum Belt Efficiency Curve Name field). The output of this curve must be greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

If this field is left blank, the model assumes that the output of the modifier curve is 1.0 for the entire simulation (i.e., constant belt efficiency at in Region 1).

Field: Normalized Belt Efficiency Curve Name Region 2[LINK]

The alpha name of the exponential decay performance curve (ref: Curve:ExponentialDecay in Performance Curves) that determines the normalized (part-load) fan drive belt efficiency () as a function of . Normalized belt efficiency is represented by a segmented curve with three different regions. The curve for Region 2 () is:

where ; is the belt output torque that corresponds to the calculated power input to the fan shaft (, W) by the drive belt and the calculated fan shaft speed (, rpm).

The output of this curve is used to calculate the belt efficiency in Region 2 at each time step by modifying (see Maximum Belt Efficiency Curve Name field). The output of this curve must be greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

If this field is left blank, the model assumes that the output of the modifier curve is 1.0 for the entire simulation (i.e., constant belt efficiency at in Region 2).

Field: Normalized Belt Efficiency Curve Name Region 3[LINK]

The alpha name of the single rectangular hyperbola type 2 performance curve (ref: Curve:RectangularHyperbola2 in Performance Curves) that determines the normalized (part-load) fan drive belt efficiency () as a function of . Normalized belt efficiency is represented by a segmented curve with three different regions. The curve for Region 3 () is:

where ; is the belt output torque that corresponds to the calculated power input to the fan shaft (, W) by the drive belt and the calculated fan shaft speed (, rpm).

The output of this curve is used to calculate the belt efficiency in Region 3 at each time step by modifying (see Maximum Belt Efficiency Curve Name field). The output of this curve must be greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

If this field is left blank, the model assumes that the output of the modifier curve is 1.0 for the entire simulation (i.e., constant belt efficiency at in Region 3).

Field: Maximum Motor Efficiency Curve Name[LINK]

The alpha name of the single rectangular hyperbola type 1 performance curve (ref: Curve: RectangularHyperbola1 in Performance Curves) that determines the maximum fan motor efficiency () as a function of . The curve is:

where with expressed in terms of hp. is the maximum output power from the motor to the belt, which corresponds to the calculated maximum power input to the fan shaft (, W).

The output of this curve must be greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0. If is known, it is represented by coefficient . In this case, coefficients and are set to zero.

If this field is left blank, the model assumes that the output of the modifier curve is 1.0 for the entire simulation (maximum motor efficiency = 1.0).

Field: Normalized Motor Efficiency Curve Name[LINK]

The name of the HVAC system node to which the fan sends its outlet air.

The alpha name of the single rectangular hyperbola type 2 performance curve (ref: Curve:RectangularHyperbola2 in Performance Curves) that determines the normalized (part-load) fan motor efficiency () as a function of the motor load fraction . The curve is:

where . is the calculated output power from the motor to the belt (W), which corresponds to the calculated power input to the fan shaft (, W).

The output of this curve is used to calculate the motor efficiency () at each time step by modifying (see Maximum Motor Efficiency Curve Name field). The output of this curve must be greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

If this field is left blank, the model assumes that the output of the modifier curve is 1.0 for the entire simulation (i.e., constant motor efficiency at ).

The alpha name of the single rectangular hyperbola type 2 performance curve (e.g., Curve:RectangularHyperbola2 in Performance Curves) that determines the VFD efficiency () as a function of the fractional input power of the motor or fractional motor speed (). An example of the curve is:

where or .

The output of this curve is used to calculate the VFD efficiency at each time step. The output of this curve must be greater than zero and less than or equal to 1.0 and should be valid for the range of volumetric flows and fan pressure rises anticipated for the simulation period.

If this field is left blank, the model assumes that the output of the modifier curve is 0.97 for the entire simulation (i.e., constant VFD efficiency of 0.97).

Allows you to specify a user-defined end-use subcategory, e.g., “Central System”. A new meter for reporting is created for each unique subcategory (ref: Output:Meter objects). Any text may be used here to categorize the end-uses in the ABUPS End Uses by Subcategory table and in the LEED Summary EAp2-4/5 Performance Rating Method Compliance table. If this field is omitted or blank, the fan will be assigned to the “General” end-use subcategory.

An example of use in an IDF:

Fan:ComponentModel,
Supply Fan 1,                     ! Fan Name
Main Heating Coil 1 Outlet Node,  ! Inlet Node Name
VAV Sys 1 Outlet Node,            ! Outlet Node Name
FanAvailSched,                    ! Fan Schedule
autosize,                         ! Maximum Flow Rate [m3/s]
autosize,                         ! Minimum Flow Rate [m3/s]
1.0,                              ! Fan Sizing Factor [-]
0.3048,                           ! Fan Wheel Diameter [m]
0.0873288576,                     ! Fan Outlet Area [m2]
0.514,                            ! Maximum Fan Static Efficiency [-]
9.76,                             ! Euler Number at Maximum Fan Static Efficiency [-]
0.160331811647483,                ! Maximum Dimensionless Fan Airflow [-]
autosize,                         ! Motor/Fan Pulley Ratio [-]
autosize,                         ! Belt Maximum Torque [N m]
1.0,                              ! Belt Sizing Factor [-]
0.167,                            ! Belt Fractional Torque Transition [-]
1800,                             ! Motor Maximum Speed [rpm]
autosize,                         ! Maximum Motor Output Power [W]
1.0,                              ! Motor Sizing Factor [-]
1.0,                              ! Motor In Airstream Fraction [-]
Power,                            ! VFD Efficiency Type
autosize,                         ! Maximum VFD Output Power [W]
1.0,                              ! VFD Sizing Factor [-]
VSD Example,                      ! Fan Pressure Rise Curve Name
DiagnosticSPR,                    ! Duct Static Pressure Reset Curve Name
FanEff120CPLANormal,              ! Fan Efficiency Curve Name     Non-Stall
FanEff120CPLAStall,               ! Fan Efficiency Curve Name - Stall
FanDimFlowNormal,                 ! Dimensionless Airflow Curve Name-Non-Stall
FanDimFlowStall,                  ! Dimensionless Airflow Curve Name-Stall
BeltMaxEffMedium,                 ! Maximum Belt Efficiency Curve Name
BeltPartLoadRegion1,              ! Normalized Belt Efficiency Curve Name
BeltPartLoadRegion2,              ! Normalized Belt Efficiency Curve Name
BeltPartLoadRegion3,              ! Normalized Belt Efficiency Curve Name
MotorMaxEffAvg,                   ! Maximum Motor Efficiency Curve Name
MotorPartLoad,                    ! Normalized Motor Efficiency Curve Name
VFDPartLoad;                      ! VFD Efficiency Curve Name

• HVAC,Average,Fan Electric Power[W]

• HVAC,Average,Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC]

• HVAC,Sum,Fan Electric Energy [J]

This output field contains the average electricity consumption rate for the fan in Watts for the timestep being reported.

Fan Rise in Air Temperature [deltaC][LINK]

This output field contains the average rise in air temperature across the fan (outlet air temperature minus inlet air temperature) in degrees Celsius for the timestep being reported.