Specific Fan Power (SFP) AHU Design by EKG (Malaysia) SDN BHD

In the engineering framework of MS 1525:2019 and the mandatory EECA 2024, Specific Fan Power (SFP) is the most critical metric for verifying the energy efficiency of an Air Handling Unit. SFP quantifies the electrical power required to move a specific volume of air, serving as a direct indicator of your building's mechanical efficiency and its potential Building Energy Intensity (BEI) star rating.

At EKG (Malaysia) SDN BHD, we design AHU systems with a "Low-SFP First" philosophy to ensure full legal compliance and maximum operational savings.

1. The SFP Calculation Formula

SFP is calculated by dividing the total electrical power of the fan system by the design airflow rate:

• Psf​: Total electrical power used by supply fans (kW). 

• Pef​: Total electrical power used by exhaust fans (kW). 

• qv​: Gross amount of air circulated through the system (m3/s). 

The Target: To achieve EECA 2024 compliance for large buildings in Malaysia, the SFP should generally not exceed 1.6 kW/m3/s for constant volume systems, with even more stringent targets for variable volume systems.

2. Strategic Design Pillars for Low SFP

To keep SFP within the "Star-Rated" brackets, EKG focuses on reducing internal resistance and maximizing motor efficiency:

• IE5 EC Plug Fan Integration: Traditional belt-driven fans suffer from a 5% to 12% energy loss. We utilize Direct-Drive EC Fans which have an efficiency rating of IE4 or IE5. Because the motor and fan are integrated, there is zero transmission loss, which is the fastest way to drop your SFP.

• Aerodynamic Internal Pathing: Every Pascal of air-side pressure drop directly increases SFP. We utilize 3D BIM Coordination to ensure the AHU internal layout and external ductwork are aerodynamically optimized, reducing static pressure and allowing the fan to work less.

• TB2 Casing Integrity: Air leakage is "lost work." We utilize L1-class airtight casings with TB2 thermal breaks. By ensuring zero air escapes the unit, we ensure that 100% of the fan's energy is delivered to the occupied zones.

3. SFP Benchmarking: Legacy vs. EKG Compliance Design

4. Operational & Regulatory Impact

Under the EECA 2024, your building's SFP is no longer a hidden technical spec; it is a key component of your mandatory energy audit:

• TNB Cost Reduction: Since the fan system often accounts for 30% of a building's HVAC energy, lowering the SFP by just 0.5 points can result in tens of thousands of Ringgit in annual savings.

• Star-Rating Maintenance: A high SFP is the most common reason for a building failing its 2-star minimum energy requirement. EKG-engineered units provide the technical data needed for your Registered Energy Manager (REM) to secure a 3-star to 5-star label.

• Filter Lifecycle Management: We use digital pressure transducers to monitor filter loading. By replacing filters at their optimal pressure drop point, we prevent the "SFP Creep" that happens when fans overwork against clogged filters.

Why Choose EKG (Malaysia) SDN BHD?

• Technical Integrity: we provide the full SFP calculation reports and fan curve data required for Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST) submissions.

• Precision Engineering: We don't "oversize" fans "just in case." We use psychrometric modeling to size the fans to the exact requirement, preventing the energy waste of throttled or over-pressurized systems.

• BOMBA-Compliant Safety: All SFP-optimizing components, including high-performance insulation and motor casings, are fire-rated (Class 0 or B1).

Is your AHU's fan power dragging down your building's energy rating? Contact EKG (Malaysia) SDN BHD today for a technical SFP audit and a proposal to modernize your infrastructure for full 2026 compliance.