IVS Opportunity Calculator Explanation

A user must first understand and list the details of the system in which the pump is to be used. These details
include simple items such as pump flow and head. For the purpose of this worksheet these measures are
expressed in l/s and kPa.
Another system measure needed for the calculator is the "Sensor Setting". This value is defaulted to 40% of
the specified head in the IVS software. The user may change this value. An accurate value would be the DP
(Differential Pressure) across the remote load leg, or the load leg with the highest DP, typically where the
sensor for a variable flow system with variable speed pumping would be installed. This measure is typically
the DP across the load heat-exchanger and 2-port control valve at full design flow. 40% of design pump
head is generally a good conservative measure.
Finally for the system, an estimate of the system load profile needs to be entered. This will relect how many
hours the pump be operating in the year (Or time period chosen) and what the average sytem flow may be.
These defaults are 6,000hrs/yr (8-months) and 50% average flow. (Typical for UK)
The efficiency of the pump selected for the system conditions should be recorded and entered on the
calculator worksheet. 70% is the default setting.
Local electricity cost estimates should entered. The default is £0.10 / kWh.
Life Span of the system is estimated at 20-years for the default. This is a conservative estimate and can be
adjusted.
The program will then use the pertinant data entered by the user and, in the first section, estimate the
operating costs of a constant speed pump, without any speed control. This emulates a constant flow system
where 3-port valves may be used to by-pass unwanted conditioned water flow past the loads' heat-
exchangers.
There are two constant values shown in this section. 996.6 value is a constant to convert pump l/s-flow and
kPa-head into motor kW requirements for the energy calculator

The second section calculates the projected average flow and system head that a variable speed pump must
deliver to provide the system with sufficient flow at the typical part load requirements needed in an HVAC
system, when supplied with 2-port control valves. The pump will maintain the sensor setting at any flow,
while the DP in the distribution piping with vary by the actual flow ratio to the design flow squared. (Multipied
by itself) Meaning that a 50% of design actual flow results in 25% of design flow pipe friction losses.

The third section can now calculate the power that will be consumed by variable speed pumping unit
operating at speeds necessary only to supply the flow required for part-load conditions in the system as
designed.
The fourth section calculates the annual energy savings expected from investing in a variable speed
pumping unit and the simple payback period for the added costs. The worksheet then indicates an added
-value of supplying the IVS Sensorless unit which does not require a sensor installed at the remote load and
wired back to the Building Automation System or VFD pump controller. This added-value typically reduces
the payback period substantially.
The final calculation is a simple estimate, based on today's costs, of the full value of the investment in the
IVS Sensorless technology. The owner's energy savings for the life of the system dwarfs any added-costs
for the IVS Sensorless unit over a constant speed pump. Figures of 25-times the added costs are common
in this return on investment calculation.
 FILE NO.: 94.401
DATE: December 8, 2008
SUPERSEDES: NEW
DATE: NEW
IVS Sensorless Payback Calculation Form

IVS SENSORLESS PAYBACK CALCULATION

System Design /
Data Entry Fixed Speed Pump Constant Flow System

Design Flow (l/s) Design Flow (l/s) Design Head (kPa) Constant Pump Efficiency Pump Power Needs (kW)
4.3 4.3 x 64.7 / 996.6 x 70% = 0.4

Design Head (kPa) Pump Power Needs Power Cost/kWh Power Cost / hr
64.7 0.4 x £0.10 = £0.04

Pump Efficiency Power Cost / hr Annual Operating hrs Annual Operating Cost - Fixed Speed - Constant Flow System
70% £0.04 x 6000 = £240.00

Power Cost per kWh

£0.10
CALCULATOR FOR VARIABLE SPEED PUMP OR ARMSTRONG IVS SENSORLESS SERIES
Annual Operation (hrs)
6000 Design Flow (l/s) Average % Flow Average Flow (l/s)
4.3 x 50% = 2.15
Average System Flow
(%) of Design
50% Design Head (kPa) Sensor Setting Square of Flow Change Sensor Setting Head at Avg Flow (kPa)
64.7 - 25.88 x 25% + 25.88 = 36
Sensor Setting (kPa)
25.88 Variable Speed Pump Variable Flow System

Pump Lifespan (yrs) Average Flow (l/s) New Head (kPa) Constant Pump Efficiency Pump Power Needs (kW)
20 2.15 x 36 / 996.6 x 70% = 0.1

Cost of Sensorless (£) Pump Power Needs Power Cost/kWh Power Cost / hr
400 0.1 x £0.10 = £0.01
(Est using £800/kW)
Power Cost / hr Annual Operating hrs Annual Operating Cost - Variable Speed - Variable Flow System
Installation Savings (£) £0.01 x 6000 = £60.00
400
(sensor+wiring)

IVS SENSORLESS PAYBACK CALCULATION

Fixed Speed Op Cost Variable Speed Op Cost Annual Savings

£240.00 - £60.00 = £180.00
Colour Coding Legend
Cost of Sensorless Annual Savings Years to Payback
Data Entry £400.00 / £180.00 = 2.2

Result for use in further calculations Installation Savings (Sensor & Wiring): £400.00

Cost of Sensorless Power + Inst Savings Years to Payback

£400.00 / £580.00 = 0.7

Avg. Lifespan of IVS

pump unit (years) Annual Savings Inst. Cost Adder for IVS Total Lifetime Return on Investment
20 x £180.00 - £400.00 = £3,200.00