Saving Cooling and Heating Energy
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smart Fan Controller (SFC)

Saves Residential HVAC Energy

  • SWHC059-01 Smart Fan Controller (SFC) measure package is approved statewide by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). https://www.caetrm.com/measure/SWHC059/01/

  • SFC saves HVAC energy based on Intertek® laboratory tests, field tests, and simulations with average savings of 10 to 20% or 334 kWh/yr and 21.7 therms/yr depending on building type and climate zone.

  • SFC works with smart thermostats, monitors Air Conditioner (AC) signals, and does not add fan-off delays to short cycles or to intermittent fan-on durations selected by a user which can save 183 to 730 kWh/yr compared to other fan-off delay controllers which only connect to fan G wire and add delays to each fan-on duration. Research studies indicate 9 to 31% of users select continuous or intermittent fan-on controls increasing electricity use by 1054 to 3520 kWh/yr (Wisc. DOA 2003, 2004, PSCW 2009). Adding fan-off delays to hourly fan-on durations increases energy use by 17 to 50% or 183 to 730 kWh/yr (183 kWh/yr based on adding 2.5 minutes to 5-minute fan-on durations with 0.5 kW fan and 730 kWh/yr based on adding 5 minutes to each of two 10-minute circulation fan-on durations per hour).

  • SFC cooling fan-off delay varies from 2 to 5.5 minutes and heating delay varies from 2 to 5 minutes and EFC delays are provided in parallel with smart thermostat delays.

  • SFC software adjusts and extends variable fan-off delays based on duration of on and off cycles to increase cooling and heating savings by 13 to 15% based on Intertek tests.

  • SFC heat pump input configures EFC to automatically detect heat pump reversing valve signals energized for cooling (O) or heating (B). All other heating systems are determined by input signal activity.

  • SFC solid-state design reduces EFC standby power to only 0.3W and 2.5 kWh/y compared to other fan controllers and smart thermostats with standby power of 1.3 to 1.6W and 11 to 14 kWh/y.

  • SFC opto-isolator circuit eliminates stray voltage signals to prevent false triggering and works with smart thermostats to prevent turning on the fan during power stealing.

  • SFC prevents biofilms and maintains proper airflow by removing 0.5 to 0.8 lbs of water per AC cycle to dry the evaporator coil after each cooling cycle. According to Montana State University Center for Biofilm Engineering, biofilms are formed by viruses, bacteria, mold, fungi, mites, and dust attaching to water on evaporator coils which can detach from the coil surface and flow into conditioned spaces impacting indoor air quality. https://www.biofilm.montana.edu/

  • SFC is more reliable, lasts 10 times longer, uses 4 times less power, and saves 2 times more HVAC energy than other fan-off delay controllers.

  • SFC is UL-listed with built-in wiring harness and quick tests to check wire connections for easy, high-quality, and reliable installation to ensure proper operation to save energy and avoid call backs.

  • SFC has a 5-year warranty and lasts for life of HVAC equipment.

  • SFC is connected to low-voltage thermostat wires, installation takes 10 to 15 minutes, and 180,000 units have been installed since 2013.

  • SFC solid-state design increased reliability and Effective Useful Life (EUL) to more than 100 million cycles or more than 50 years of operation. Non-toxic recycled packaging and shrink tubing enclosure

  • SFC provides high customer satisfaction for comfort and energy savings.