NEMA states that according to Department of Energy (DOE) data, it is estimated that the NEMA Premium efficiency motor program could save over 5,800 gigawatts of electricity and prevent the release of nearly 80 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere over the next 10 years — the equivalent of keeping 16 million cars off the road.

The organization expects that the NEMA Premium efficiency motors will exceed demand for the current “energy efficient” product required by the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The act imposed minimum energy efficiency standards on certain 1 through 200 hp general purpose integral hp motors based on NEMA standards.

NEMA Premium efficiency motors cover many more motor types and sizes than those covered under the 1992 federally regulated motor program, including 1- to 200-hp definite and special purpose motors, motors up to 500 hp, and medium-voltage motors.

Also, the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) has endorsed NEMA Premium by aligning its specifications for the premium-efficiency motors with NEMA’s.

Publication date: 06/25/2001