EC motor unit heaters use electronically commutated (EC) motors to drive the fan, instead of the traditional AC motors found on older designs. In practice, this means the fan can use less electricity to move the same volume of air, be adjusted smoothly rather than in fixed steps, and be linked to a building management system (BMS) through a 0-10V signal. BOSS™ Copperad unit heaters use high-efficiency EC motor-driven fans across the range, which makes them easier to control and more efficient to run through the heating season in workshops, garages, sports halls and similar spaces.

Compared with traditional AC fan motors, EC motors offer several practical advantages for specifiers and contractors:

🔹 Lower electricity use: they move the same volume of air using less electrical power
🔹 Smooth speed adjustment: fan speed can be varied gradually rather than in fixed steps
🔹 Quiet running: noise is typically lower, particularly at reduced fan speeds
🔹 BMS connection: a 0-10V signal allows the unit to be linked to a building management system

Because the fan is the part of a unit heater that runs for the longest hours, the efficiency of the motor matters across the whole heating season, not just on the coldest days.

Fixed-speed fans force a choice between settings that may be higher or lower than the space actually needs. Smooth adjustment lets the fan speed be matched to the requirement, which helps with comfort and keeps noise down in spaces where background sound matters, such as sports halls or workshops with regular conversation.

It also gives installers more flexibility at commissioning, because airflow and throw can be set to suit the mounting height and layout rather than working around a limited number of speed steps.

Yes. BOSS™ Copperad unit heaters are BMS compatible through a 0-10V signal or BACnet via the Copperad Delta controller. The Delta controller also provides waterside output control, so the heat output of the unit can be managed alongside the fan.

For contractors, this means a unit that can sit within a wider control strategy from day one, rather than needing a separate approach to fan control later.

EC motor-driven fans are used across the BOSS™ Copperad unit heater range, which covers LTHW, MTHW and steam variants with outputs up to 50.9kW. Units are designed for horizontal or vertical mounting and have adjustable louvres for directing airflow.

Heat exchangers are available in 2-row, 3-row and 4-row options. Pairing the right coil with an EC motor-driven fan gives specifiers a unit that works with both existing and lower-temperature heating strategies. The product selector helps match a unit to the output and coil requirement for a project.