At CHC we have been the Bell & Gossett Representative/Distributor since 1957, and as a B&G Rep we are very involved with the pump industry. A gradual evolution of U.S. efficiency standards for equipment over the last four decades has led us to the pump rule going into effect this coming January.

So to help understand this new standard, I wanted to share some background on

In 2011, the Department of Energy (DOE) initiated efforts to develop energy conservation standards for pumps. In 2016 the regulations were established but starting January 27, 2020 compliance will be required.

With compliance of the new standards established for pumps being required on and after Jan. 27, 2020, manufactures can no longer manufacture pumps that do not meet the new energy standards. If you have non-compliant pumps in your inventory, don’t worry, you can still sell/install those existing pumps.

The scope of the standards is specified and concerns what is referred to as “clean water pumps.” Starting with the (5) pumps listed below.

doe pic 1

To establish a baseline on pump efficiency requirements, more than 20 manufacturers submitted data on the five pump types, which resulted in more than 3,000 unique pumps. The pump data submitted was flow, head, power and efficiency.

The DOE used this information to determine the baseline standards and life cycle cost analysis. With this a new metric has been established with this DOE: the pump energy index (PEI). There are two types: PEICL (constant load) and PEIVL (variable load). PEICL applies to pumps sold without continuous or noncontinuous controls, PEIVL applies to pumps sold with either continuous or noncontinuous controls. Both PEICL and PEIVL describe the weighted average performance of the rated pump at specific load points.

The PEI is simply a particular pumps energy rating divided by the baseline energy rating. The data gathered from the 3,000 pump samples. The baseline levels were taken at the 25th percentile – All pumps below the 25th percentile will not be in compliance with the standard. A PEI greater than 1.00 indicates that the pump consumes more energy than allowed by the DOE’s energy conservation standard and does not comply. A value less than 1.00 indicates that the pump consumes less energy than the level required by the standard and is in compliance.

Calculating PEI

 

The Hydraulic Institute developed the Energy Rating Program to create a third party rating system and database for bare pumps and extended products. This program provides a simple and reliable way to compare pump systems, it links to a database containing information on pump type, nominal speed, PEI, load type, and range available, and it’s all based on third-party accredited testing facilities.

 

HI Website

In the websites database you can search and locate ratings on the pumps you are looking to use in your project or have in your inventory.

  Database Exa 1   Database Exa 2

Pumps will house an Energy Rating Label that will contain the following:

  • Brand Name
  • Model Number
  • Equipment Type
  • Nominal Speed
  • PEI
  • Load Type
  • Range Available
  • ENERGY RATING
HI Rating Label

 

 

To learn more please contact us on our contact us page, HERE, and use the resources listed below.

Rating Portal: http://er.pumps.org/ratings/home

Hydraulic Institute Background and FAQ’s: http://pumps.org/DOE_Rulemaking.aspx

Hydraulic Institute- Energy Rating Label: Calculating Pump Energy Savings: https://youtu.be/T5wzVS5IaDY

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