Upgrading critical hospital infrastructure doesn’t have to mean disruption or high cost. By retrofitting an existing AHU at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital in Dublin with modern electronically commutated (EC) fan technology, Aubren delivered energy savings, enhanced reliability, and sustainability—all achieved without the disruption of clinical operations. The success of this retrofit project resulted in a roll-out of further Aubren EC Fan retrofits being implemented on AHUs at this site.

Photo: AHU and Control Panel before Retrofit

Like many modern healthcare estates, the hospital faced several infrastructure pressures:

• Rising energy costs from legacy AC fans
• High maintenance demands associated with older AC fan systems
• Carbon reduction targets
• Critical single-point failure risks

Ventilation is mission-critical. Downtime affects patient comfort, infection control, and operations. This AHU upgrade was a strategic investment, not just a routine equipment replacement.

High-efficiency ebm-papst EC fan arrays replaced traditional motors, delivering:

• Energy Savings: Ultra-efficient motors reduce energy use under variable loads
• Built-In Redundancy: Multi-fan arrays keep systems running even if one fan fails
• Lower Maintenance: Fewer moving parts reduce service needs and downtime
• Smart Control: Digital management precisely matches airflow to demand

Installation: Completed over a single weekend, ensuring no disruption to clinical operations. This is a key component of an Aubren EC fan retrofit.

10-Year Impact: Long-term savings, deferred capital expenditure, and substantial carbon reduction—comparable to powering a small hospital admin building or multiple homes. The following are results by key metrics:

• Fan Energy Reduction: Reduced by 23%
• Annual Electricity Savings: 17,918 kWh
• Annual Cost Saving: €3,584
• 10-Year Electricity Savings: 179,180kWh
• 10-Year Energy Savings: €35,840
• CO₂ Emissions Saved: 40.5 tonnes – Equivalent to annual carbon absorption of 1800 mature trees.
• System Redundancy: Continuous operation via multi-fan array
• Maintenance Reduction: Significantly lower
• Asset Life Extension: +10 years

Photo: AHU after Retrofit

Photo: AHU and Control Panel after Retrofit

This AHU retrofit shows that critical healthcare infrastructure can be upgraded efficiently and sustainably, delivering energy savings, enhanced reliability, and extended asset life without compromising clinical performance.