High Efficiency Furnace Blower Evaluation

Some recent studies have performed preliminary investigations into the differences in efficiency and operation of furnaces, including the evaluation of high efficiency prototype blowers. Unfortunately there is no uniform, single method of testing and comparing airflow and efficiency of competing furnace blower and motor technologies that answers all the questions of utilities and manufacturers. This collaboration of PG&E and LBNL will compare the performance of furnaces and motors, and also make suggestions for modifying test procedures to accommodate the new equipment. Two furnaces and five different blowers and blower motors will be used. This includes 2 standard permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors with forward curved impellor blades, a brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motor with forward curved impellor blades and 2 prototype BPM motors with reverse inclined impellor blades. For more information, please contact the sponsoring organization.

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