Fan package with record efficiency of 85% could deliver two-year ROIs
29 September 2026 
ABB has teamed up with the Danish high-efficiency fan specialist Novenco to offer an axial fan package with a claimed system efficiency of up to 85% in a typical AHU (air handling unit) installation, thus outperforming EC (electronically commutated) and belt-driven fan alternatives. The package combines a Novenco ZerAx axial fan which achieves an aerodynamic efficiency at the impeller of up to 92% – said to be the world’s highest for an axial fan – with an ABB IE5 PM (permanent magnet) motor and VSD (variable-speed drive).
ABB and Novenco say that at current energy costs, many fan retrofit projects will be able to deliver a return on investment (ROI) in less than two years. The turnkey packages are designed to last for 15 to 20 years.
In addition, when an EC fan fails, its sealed, moulded construction makes field repair impractical, and the entire package has to be swapped. The modular design of the ZerAx system – with fan, motor and VSD being separate components – means that each element can be upgraded, retrofitted or replaced independently, if needed.
When the time comes to retire the fans, many of the materials can be recovered. For example, the motors are made of recyclable materials, with at least 98% recoverable through specialised processes.
In a typical data centre cooling application – consisting of more than 1,000 fans – replacing EC fans with the new axial fan package will cut energy consumption by 15–40% annually, depending on the age of the installation, according to ABB. Similar efficiency improvements could be achieved in the food and beverage, semiconductor and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as in buildings and in other applications where ventilation systems run continuously.
Novenco’s axial fans have an optimised blade design and a hub reminiscent of a jet engine. They are designed for simple installation and servicing.
ABB says that fan and ventilation systems are among the highest energy consumers in any facility, yet they often have a low priority on efficiency agendas.
“We have a long track record in advancing energy efficiency through our motors, generators, and drives portfolio,” says Erich Labuda, president of ABB’s Motion Services division. “Now, this collaboration with Novenco enables us to take that expertise to the system level, giving customers a complete fan package where the efficiency gains are real and measurable. For businesses under pressure to deliver on their energy targets, that difference matters, and it goes straight to the bottom line.”
“In today’s world of challenging energy access and rising net-zero ambitions, energy efficiency has become a business-critical priority,” adds Novenco CEO, Lars Erik Knaack. “This solution demonstrates how our highly efficient fan technology, combined with advanced motors and drives, can help customers accelerate their efficiency and decarbonisation efforts, while strengthening profitability.”
