Mikko Pohjola
Sales Manager, Active Harmonic Filter,
Key Accounts & OEMs
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Improve the efficiency, reliability, and performance of your HVAC systems with advanced power quality solutions. Merus® A2 Active Harmonic Filters dynamically reduce harmonic distortion caused by VFD-driven equipment, helping optimize operations and support compliance with industry standards.
Improve HVAC reliability with advanced power quality solutions
Modern HVAC systems rely heavily on Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to improve energy efficiency and optimize the operation of chillers, pumps, air handling units (AHUs), cooling towers, and compressors. While VFDs reduce energy consumption, they also introduce harmonic distortion into the electrical network. As non-linear loads, VFDs draw current in a non-sinusoidal manner, generating harmonic currents that distort the electrical waveform.
If left unmanaged, harmonics can reduce system efficiency, increase maintenance costs, shorten equipment lifetime, and create compliance challenges with power quality standards such as IEEE 519 and EN 50160.
Did you know? Harmonic currents generated by VFDs do not only affect the drives themselves. They can distort voltage across the electrical network and affect other connected equipment.
Merus Power helps HVAC manufacturers, system integrators, consultants, and facility owners eliminate power quality problems before they impact system performance.
Common power quality challenges in HVAC systems
Power quality issues often develop gradually, making them difficult to identify before they begin affecting reliability and operating costs. Typical symptoms include:
- Unexpected downtime → Poor power quality can cause nuisance tripping and equipment failures.
- Compliance challenges → IEEE 519, G5/5, EN 50160, and local grid requirements.
- Increased equipment heating → Additional heat reduces the lifetime of transformers, cables, and motors.
- Reduced system efficiency → Harmonic losses increase energy consumption and operating costs.
- Higher maintenance costs → Electrical stress leads to more maintenance and earlier component replacement.
Where power quality matters most
Any HVAC system using VFD-controlled equipment can benefit from improved power quality, but it becomes especially important in facilities where reliability is critical.
- Data centers → Maximize cooling reliability and uptime for mission-critical operations.
- Commercial buildings → Lower operating costs while improving HVAC performance.
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities → Maintain reliable operation where power quality is essential.
- Industrial facilities → Improve efficiency and reliability in demanding HVAC applications.
- Clean rooms and laboratories → Ensure stable environmental control with cleaner power.
Quick summary
⚡ Challenge
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) used in HVAC systems generate harmonic distortion, which can reduce efficiency, increase maintenance costs, and impact system reliability.
🛡️ Solution
Merus® A2 Active Harmonic Filters dynamically eliminate harmonics, compensate reactive power, and improve overall power quality.
📈 Key benefits
- Reduce harmonic distortion
- Improve energy efficiency
- Extend equipment lifetime
- Support IEEE 519 compliance
- Easy integration into new and existing HVAC systems
🏢 Applications
- Data centers
- Commercial buildings
- Hospitals
- Industrial facilities
- Clean rooms
🗣️ Let’s talk!
Not sure what is causing the problem? Our power quality measurements help you understand the actual condition of your electrical network.
We identify harmonic distortion and other power quality issues, determine their root causes, and use the measurement data to recommend and dimension the right compensation solution for your system.
Tailored solutions for HVAC installations
Every HVAC installation has unique operating requirements, and we understand that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for power quality solutions. Whether you’re designing cooling systems for data centers, commercial buildings, hospitals, industrial facilities, or other mission-critical environments, our active harmonic filters are designed to integrate easily and seamlessly into your electrical infrastructure.
Why is Merus® A2 the smart choice?
- Optimize your investment → A cost-effective alternative to AFEs and passive filters with lower CAPEX and OPEX. Read more
- Built to grow → Modular, scalable design with high redundancy.
- Designed for flexibility → Centralized or decentralized harmonic compensation to suit your installation.
- Dynamic performance → Real-time harmonic mitigation and reactive power compensation.
- Ready for any project → Compatible with HVAC installations worldwide.
- Certified for confidence → UL508 & CSA C22.2-listed and CE-marked modules.
Merus® A2 Active Harmonic Filters continuously monitor harmonic currents and inject equal but opposite currents to cancel harmonic distortion, much like noise-canceling headphones eliminate unwanted sound. Unlike passive solutions, active harmonic filters respond dynamically to changing loads. In addition to harmonic mitigation, they compensate reactive power and help balance electrical currents, improving overall system stability and power factor.
Merus® A2
Active Harmonic Filter
A scalable, versatile, and durable active harmonic filtering solution designed and manufactured in Finland using innovative Merus® Technology.
Check out our related references
Let’s improve your HVAC power quality
Whether you’re designing a new HVAC system or troubleshooting harmonic distortion in an existing installation, our experts can help you identify the right solution. Contact our specialists to discuss your project and learn how active harmonic filtering can improve efficiency, reliability, and compliance.
Mikko Pohjola
Sales Manager, Active Harmonic Filter,
Key Accounts & OEMs
