Projects under this method can earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) by upgrading refrigeration and ventilation fans to be more energy efficient.
When to use this method
The refrigeration and ventilation fans method may be suitable for your business if you:
- use refrigeration fans to service refrigerated display cabinets, freezer cabinets, walk-in cool rooms or cold storage warehouse and ventilation
- are planning to install new fans
- are planning to modify or replace existing fans to improve their energy efficiency.
Fans must be used for commercial or industrial buildings, or the common areas of residential buildings.
Legislation
Before you plan or register your project, make sure you have read and understood the legislative requirements and the method.
Eligibility
Eligible fans are:
- axial‑flow fan
- cross‑flow fan
- mixed‑flow fan
- centrifugal backward‑curved fan
- centrifugal radial bladed fan
- centrifugal forward‑curved fan.
Eligible fans must be installed, replaced or modified as part of a project first and then divided into the above fan types.
You must meet general eligibility requirements for the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme.
Relevant legislation
- Part 3 of the Act
- Section 9 of the method
- Part 2 of the method
- Part 3 of the method
Exclusions
Some fans are excluded under this method. This includes fans that are:
- used as part of an industrial process
- used for applications where the operation is infrequent, like smoke extraction and pressurisation fans
- not an eligible type of fan
- installed in buildings or refrigeration systems not in the method.
Relevant legislation
- Section 12 of the method
Method requirements
There are 2 different types of activities. These are:
- high efficiency fan installations
- small motor fan upgrades.
For both activities, you can install control devices to further improve energy efficiency.
Control devices include:
- variable speed drives
- multi-speed controls
- switching controls.
High efficiency fan installations
High efficiency fans have a motor input power between 0.125 kilowatts and 185 kilowatts. Their energy efficiency is measured against a market average grade.
High efficiency fans can be used in new installations where there are no existing fans.
Small motor fan upgrades
Small motor fan upgrades are for modifications or replacements of existing fans or fan motors with a motor input power of up to 0.175 kilowatts.
New fans must be driven by an electronically commutated motor and replace a shaded pole or permanent split capacitor motor.
Specialist skills are required to calculate abatement for projects under this method.
Specialist skills include:
- Registered professional engineer (PE)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP)
- Verified experience in energy or facility management, or measurement and verification.
Relevant legislation
- Section 13(f) of the rule
You must notify us of any safety issues identified with an installed fan or fan component.
Relevant legislation
- Section 39 of the method
7 years.
Relevant legislation
- Part 5 of the Act
Abatement is calculated dependent on the project activity.
High efficiency fan installations
Abatement is calculated by comparing the power consumption of the installed fan with the power consumption of a market average fan of the same fan type and power.
Small motor fan upgrades
Abatement is calculated by comparing the difference in fan efficiency. This comparison is made between the replaced shaded pole or permanent split capacitor motor of a driven fan and the replacement electronically commutated motor.
Relevant legislation:
- Part 4, Division 3 of the method
- Part 4, Division 4 of the method
You must keep records of:
- activities undertaken
- technical specifications
- fan location
- building or refrigeration system type
- any replaced fans and the disposal of removed fans.
You must also remember to meet the record-keeping requirements of the Act and the rule.
Relevant legislation
- Part 17 of the Act
- Part 17 of the rule
- Part 5 of the method
Your reports must:
- identify each installed high efficiency and small motor fan, including its location, specifications and purpose
- include additional information if fans were included in previous reports and are now excluded.
You must also remember to meet general reporting requirements of the Act and Rule.
Relevant legislation
- Part 6 of the Act
- Part 6 of the rule
- Part 5 of the method
We provide you with an audit schedule when your project's declared.
You must provide audit reports according to this schedule.
We schedule at least 3 audits and additional audits can be triggered.
For more information on audit requirements, refer to our audit information.
Relevant legislation
- Part 19 of the Act
- Part 6 of the rule
Documents and resources
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water information on the refrigeration and ventilation fans method
- Refrigeration and ventilation fans - project application guidance