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繁體中文St. Franziskus-Stiftung Upgrades Hospital Ventilation with ebm-papst EC Fans
09/26/2025As per the German Hospital Federation, a single hospital bed uses as much energy annually as three single-family residences. Given this, saving energy directly translates to reducing expenses. Recognizing this opportunity, the St. Franziskus-Stiftung in Münster is upgrading the ventilation systems in five of its clinics with high-efficiency EC fans from ebm papst. This upgrade aims to guarantee optimal ventilation, a stable operational environment, and lower costs.
Among the 18 air handling units (AHUs) across the five hospitals, some were over 20 years old and required replacement. For planning and carrying out the modernization project, the Foundation collaborated with its subsidiary FACT GmbH—a company that offers technical services to the healthcare industry. In total, 70 EC fans from ebm papst’s RadiPac and RadiFit product lines were used for the retrofit.
Plug-and-Play Design Enables Fast Installation
In hospitals, the availability and reliability of AHUs are critical. This means the window for retrofitting operating room systems is especially tight, limited to just one or two days. Fortunately, the EC fans provided by ebm papst feature plug-and-play functionality, allowing for quick installation and commissioning. Additionally, FACT GmbH has developed custom-shaped connectors for its own use, which further simplifies the fan installation process.
Sensor-Powered Demand-Based Control
During the retrofit, sensors were installed to measure the temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels of the surrounding air. Data on room occupancy and other key parameters are also collected and monitored through FACT’s building management system. When combined with ebm papst’s energy-saving EC fans, these sensors enable precise, demand-driven control. The EC fans can be finely adjusted across their full speed range and maintain high efficiency even when operating at partial load.
Notable Cost Savings
These measures have allowed the St. Franziskus-Stiftung to reduce its annual energy consumption by a significant 920,676 kWh. Based on an electricity price of €0.30 per kWh, this equals annual cost savings of more than €275,000. Furthermore, shutting down operating room systems at night boosts energy savings by approximately 30 percent.
The modernized AHUs do more than just drive substantial energy savings—they also enhance the ambient climate for both patients and staff, thanks to the sensors and monitoring systems. Pleased with the results, the St. Franziskus-Stiftung now plans to upgrade its other facilities to use EC fans as well.
