For cheaper cooling and conditioning of grain in floor stores, Evans & Pearce has turned to new electric motor technology.

The company’s Evolution fan unit has a more efficient brushless motor that Rob White of the Dorset-based company calculates uses 0.35kW of power (costing 3.5p/hr) to produce the same air movement as a 1.1kW conventional motor (costing 11p/hr to run).

“The fan unit costs more to buy, but it costs less to run,” he says. “Two Evolution fans at £1398 cost £128 more than a pair of standard units; but running costs will typically be around £150 less per year, assuming about 1000 hours running time.”

The brushless motor also takes less current at start-up, reducing load spikes and allowing standard extension leads to be used without problems, he adds.

The Evolution does need a bigger impeller and scroll, so existing Evans & Pearce Polycool or similar pedestals with 6-in diameter upper tubes need to be replaced by 8in ones to achieve sufficient airflow for effective cooling.