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Variable Frequency Drives


Because improving your energy efficiency and competitive edge contributes to the state's economic development, Focus is now offering financial incentives to businesses installing variable frequency drives for air handling or pumping applications.

Why Variable Frequency Drives?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, motor-driven equipment accounts for 64 percent of the electricity consumed by U.S. industry. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) save energy and money through:
  • Reduced operating costs. VFDs offer greater control over the speed of AC motors, enabling the removal of throttling devices, valves, and dampeners -- all of which consume energy.
  • Increased reliability. By regulating speed, VFDs prolong the life and reduce the maintenance costs of motors, driven equipment, and switch gears.
  • Increased productivity. VFDs give users a finer degree of control, resulting in more precise process operations and improved product quality.
VFDs are suggested for motor and load systems that deliver rated output less than 40 percent of the time or for which the average output is less than 60 percent of the rated output.

Cash Incentives
You may claim an incentive of $50 per horsepower up to a maximum of 30% of the total project cost on new, installed variable frequency drives that meet the following requirements:
  • Used in conjunction with pumping or air handling (i.e., fan or blower) application.
  • The pump or air handling system must operate a minimum of 2,000 hours annually.
  • The pump or air handling system may not exceed 500 horsepower. For new construction, the pump system must be less than 30hp.
  • Redundant or back-up units do not qualify.
  • VFD speed must be automatically controlled by differential pressure, flow or temperature.

You may claim an additional $10 per horsepower if you submit one week of measured power (kW) readings for each pump, fan, or blower motor before and after the VFD is installed.
     FY08 Variable Frequency Drives VFD Incentive Application

To view a list of vendors offering the mail-in incentive on variable frequency drives (VFD), click on the link below.
     Motor and VFD Incentive Vendor List

Eligibility
To determine your eligibility, use the eligibility tool to determine if you are served by a participating utility.
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