Motor Decisions Matter Energy Efficiency/Usage Fact Sheet

• Electric motor systems account for 23 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States and almost 70 percent of manufacturing sector electricity consumption.

• In 1998 the U.S. Department of Energy reported that only 11 percent of customers have written specifications for motor purchases and only two-thirds of those customers included efficiency in their specifications.

• Motor electricity consumption can approach 90 percent of some industries' (e.g. pulp and paper, textiles) total electric bill.
  

• Premium efficiency motors are 1-4 percent more efficient than motors meeting federal minimum efficiency standards. Because many motors operate 40-80 hours per week (or more), even small increases in efficiency can yield huge energy savings. Many motor manufacturers, electric utilities and state and regional programs now recognize NEMA Premium™ as a common definition for premium efficiency motors.

• The average motor easily consumes 50-60 times its initial purchase price in electricity during its 10-year life.

• Motor energy costs can exceed $1 million annually in large industrial plants. In steel plants, energy costs can exceed $6 million.

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy, greater attention to motor system management can reduce motor energy costs by 18 percent while also boosting productivity, reliability and profitability.

• In 1992, the Energy Policy (EPAct) established minimum efficiency standards for industrial electric motors. Because of EPAct, standard efficiency motors bought today are likely to be more efficient than older motors; premium-efficiency motors offer additional savings.

• For most motors, the purchase price represents just 2 percent of its lifetime cost. Electricity accounts for nearly 98 percent.

• When all appropriate applications for premium-efficiency motors are realized, they will save approximately 4 billion kWh/yr. and $200 million in annual energy expenditures.

• The energy saved by using premium efficiency motors is expected to decrease harmful emissions by the following amounts each year:
  - Carbon dioxide: 6 billion pounds
  - Sulfur dioxide: 77 million pounds
  - Nitrogen dioxide: 22 million pounds

• According to the Department of Energy, it is estimated that the NEMA Premium™ motor program could save over 5,800 gigawatts/hours of electricity and prevent the release of nearly 80 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere over the next 10 years. That would be the equivalent of keeping 16 million cars off the road.

• Over 1.2 million integral electric motors are sold each year.

• Each year, more motors are repaired than are sold new. For every new motor sold, approximately 2.5 motors are repaired. It is estimated that motors are repaired on average every 5 to 7 years. Since motors are frequently operated for 20 to 30 years, a motor may be repaired 3 to 5 times in its service life.

• Recent research has linked quality repair practices to greater retained motor efficiency and reliability. If properly repaired, most motors can be restored to their original efficiency. However, improper repair of motors can decrease efficiency by up to 5 percent. The Electrical Service Apparatus Association and the Department of Energy offer guidance on how to maintain motor efficiency during repair.