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Specific Fan Power

Engineering Inputs

Patrick Chopson avatar
Written by Patrick Chopson
Updated over a year ago

Specific Fan Power (SFP) is the measure of how much power is required to move a given amount of air with a fan system. High SFP result in more energy use compared to lower SFP and many code authorities place limits on the SFP that are allowed on projects. cove.tool assigns a numeric value for the Specific Fan Power based on a description of the building systems. The available options are:

  • Central Mechanical Ventilation Including Heating, Cooling and Heat Recovery
    A full air handling system with all possible components in the main unit. Fully ducted to all spaces within the building

  • Central Mechanical Ventilation with Heating and Cooling
    A full air handling system with many components in the main unit, without a heat recovery device. Fully ducted to all spaces within the building

  • Local Ventilation (e.g. Window/Wall/Roof Units)
    Limited components within the central system, typically just heating and cooling and limited ductwork to spaces within the building

  • Other Local Units (Fan Coil Units)
    Fan Coil Unit local to each space with limited ductwork distribution

cove.tool refers to EuP Lot 11: Fans for ventilation in non residential buildings as the basis for this calculation. The following table from the final report shows the values of specific fan power assigned given the choice available.

The Specific Fan Power input is located on the Baseline page, under the Building Systems tab.

Further Reading on Specific Fan Power

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