Nidec investments to support HVAC motors production increase 

The initiative targets highly energy efficient motors used in residential and light commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in North America.

Nidec Global Appliance, a division of Nidec Corporation dedicated to providing solutions for residential and commercial appliances industries worldwide, has initiated a substantial production capacity expansion. The additional capacity will support variable speed motors under the U.S Motors and Rescue brands, focused on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The investment of approximately US$ 18 million will increase production capacity by 1.5 million units per year. 

The capacity expansion supports 48 frame variable speed motors for HVAC systems. It includes the US Motors lines SelecTech, PerfectSpeed, EcoTech and EcoApex48, and the RESCUE line of replacement motors. These products drive the fans and blowers that move air throughout ventilation and temperature control systems. 

Variable speed technology can regulate the motor velocity according to the HVAC system’s demand, which makes it highly energy efficient. The energy savings that can be achieved by 1.5 million variable speed motors, compared to legacy motors, represent 600 GWh per year (according to energy consumption parameters in the Department Of Energy legislation). This amount of energy saving can avoid emissions equivalent to 470 thousand tons of CO2 per year (or 425 thousand metric tons), which would represent emissions from over 1 billion miles driven by an average passenger vehicle or 50 thousand homes’ energy use for one year. 

Energy efficiency regulations for HVAC systems, issued by the Department of Energy in the US, became more rigorous in 2019 and will increase again in 2023. “Variable speed motors are the best suited to meet the required efficiency. Fixed speed solutions won’t be capable of complying with 2023 legislation”, explains Tim Schamel, HVAC Business Unit President at Nidec Global Appliance. 

“The product lines for the investment were strategically chosen because the variable speed technology is the most energy efficient and the motors within the 48 frame are the most popular for residential applications in the HVAC sector”, he adds. The primary markets targeted for this production increase are residential and light commercial HVAC installations in North America. “The HVAC equipment market in the US has maintained steady 4 to 5% growth over the last 10 years”, states Schamel. 

Three Nidec Global Appliance manufacturing sites will receive the investment for this production expansion, all located in Monterrey, Mexico. The estimate is to generate 150 new job positions. 

Variable speed motors also enable new possibilities. For the home owner’s wellbeing, it is constant airflow offered by PerfectSpeed motor. For the system installer, it is Bluetooth® programming offered by RESCUE Select Pro. “This technology also contributes to product reliability and low noise, two attributes highly important to our customers”, adds the executive. 

Insourced technology 

The component which regulates the speed of these kinds of motors – also known as ECM (Electronically Commutated Motors) – is an electronic control device. Nidec Global Appliance produces its own controls in its facility in Qingdao, China. This factory is receiving other investments to increase production capacity.

Tim Schamel, 

HVAC Business Unit President, 

Nidec Global Appliance.