Pump-power calculation? There’s an app for that

The $avings Predictor application, now available on Apple iTunes for iPhone (OS 3.1.2 or later) and iPod touch, provides estimates of energy savings when using a variable frequency drive instead of conventional volume control methods. The application comes from Yaskawa Electric America, Waukegan, Ill.

Variable-frequency drives are reliable electronic devices that control three-phase electric motor speed. They are used in building automation, industrial, pumping, agriculture, irrigation, and water and wastewater applications to control the speed of fans and pumps in various systems. The payback period for installing drives is usually less than three years and can be less than one year.